For Seekers by Seekers

In this episode, we mull on the following topics:

1. Why is knowledge of Brahman /Awareness known as 'raja vidya' - king of all knowledge (s)?

2. Is any 'creation' a name, shape (or a name for a shape)?

3. What is the difference between jiva-srishti and ishwara-srishti?

4. Why is this knowledge also known as 'raja guhyam' - secret among all secrets? Is it a 'closed' secret or an 'open' secret?

5. Does the universe 'exist' in you/me? And, what is the definition of 'you/me? How do we reconcile the 'differences'?

6. One other curious question: When the universe is 'not even created' [like the book says, it is just names & shapes], then is there a 'creator'? Can Awareness be called a 'creator' when one realizes that the universe is not created?

7. When does one 'not' become a victim of circumstances?

8. If one does not understand the secret, should one lament? What is Krishna's solution to those who don't yet understand the secret?

9. What is the definition of words -yoga & kshema as used in this chapter?

10. Should one do 'yoga' or 'kshema' based on the definition of these words?

11. What is the concept of karma-phala-dhata and how does it help to reduce our stress?

12. How can the secret be revealed - through work (yoga) or jnana (removing ignorance?

13. What is the true meaning of 'tat tvam asi'? Are you ready to own up to your true nature?

We also talk of the importance of karma-yoga, bhakti-yoga, jnana-yoga and ofcourse discuss how Yogasutras differ /concur with Vedanta & Gita

Hello!

In this episode, all participants meet and share our experiences on Chaturmasa - the seasonal fasting that some of us are doing.

In the second month that just ended a week back, we abstained from eating yoghurt.

We specifically discuss some of the learnings we have had about ourselves, our relationship to food and what we have learnt about how /when we will continue to adopt this in our life, beyond Chaturmasa.

For more details on Chaturmasa and also the written notes of musings, please visit the following links:

https://happilyoga.com/2020/08/28/chaturmasa-2020-month-2-my-musings/

https://happilyoga.com/2020/09/01/chaturmasa-2020-month-2-musings-participant-1/

https://happilyoga.com/2020/09/01/chaturmasa-2020-month-2-musings-participant-2/

https://happilyoga.com/2020/09/01/chaturmasa-2020-month-2-musings-participant-3/

https://happilyoga.com/2020/09/01/chaturmasa-2020-month-2-musings-participant-4/

https://happilyoga.com/2020/09/01/chaturmasa-2020-month-2-musings-participant-5/

We initially update about the Chaturmasa month 2 progress done by few of the participants.

Then we begin discussing 'who is God?, and understanding that the 'Self' (Atma) is the Brahman.

We discuss if someone else can 'take over' somebody else's karma.

We discuss how people are graded: atheists and theists. And, the four categories in theists - arthi, artharthi, jignasu & jnani.

We mull through the various paths to achieve moksha - karma yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga.

This is a recording of the regular meditation online practice on Saturdays.

I choose to record this week's meditation recording (on 08292020) as there were a few instructions that are slightly different from earlier recordings.

I hope you can use this as a possible audio guide to doing your meditation practice. My apologies in advance as the audio recording is not that great!

We begin by sharing a few tips on japa practice [thanks to not pressing the record button on time, we lost a few minutes of recording....]

Then we discuss Who is God?

We talk of Upadana karana (material cause) and Nimitta karana (intelligent cause).

If the universe that we see exists today, working intelligently then there must be an intelligent creator behind.

We conclude that 'God Exists' and 'belief about God' is an irrelevant question because we have proof that the universe exists!

Nothing can be created unless and until there is are causes - intelligent & material

We discuss dreams and liken it to the waking state, to gain clues into understanding who is God.

We also talk of what is the purpose of all this?

Why should God create this Universe...

We continue our discussions on meditation (or dhyana) and clarifying several questions the participants had.

The power of group discussions!