In this episode, James discusses the concept of "our primary service" to our communities according to Vedantic philosophy. He explains that Vedanta, which means the end of knowledge, emphasizes the importance of spreading cheer and joy everywhere we go. This philosophy, stemming from ancient texts, highlights the significance of internal work as the most profound way to help others. James shares insights from Swami Parthasarathy, illustrating that true service is not about being the strongest or most knowledgeable, but about radiating positivity and joy. He also touches on the Bhagavad Gita with self-improvement being paramount. The episode encourages listeners to focus on their own growth and happiness as a means to effectively serve and uplift their communities. James underscores this point with personal anecdotes, emphasizing the transformative power of inner work on external service.
The Daily Vedantic is a daily podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to the timeless wisdom of the Upanishads (https://www.thedailyvedantic.co). Dating back to over 5,000 years ago, the source of nearly all Eastern Philosophy, and loved by Western giants from Emerson to Thoreau to Carl Jung and Alan Watts, studied daily by Joseph Campbell to Aldous Huxley to Arthur Schopenhauer and countless others, The Daily Vedantic aims to make this ancient philosophy as modern and accessible as it is simple, practical — and profound.
James Beshara (https://www.twitter.com/jamesbeshara) is a renowned startup founder of multiple companies, a prolific startup investor in 200+ others including some of the biggest startup names on the planet, a husband and father of three little girls, and philosophy student and teacher in Los Angeles.
James also co-hosts Yoga For Your Intellect (https://www.YFYI.co), a biweekly long-form conversational podcast with his teacher Joseph Emmett ( https://www.instagram.com/yogaforyourintellect ).
James is a student of Swami Parthasarathy, the acclaimed author of Vedanta Treatise (Vedanta Treatise – The Eternities) and teacher at Vedanta Academy in Malavli, India. As James says often, when you’re ready for the real thing, Swami’s daily lectures are where the true wisdom and systematic discovery of the world’s oldest continually studied philosophy resides: https://www.vedantaworld.org