Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda

Explore the deep conversations of Sri Ramakrishna as he meets devotees on a boat. Discover the metaphor of the body as a 'pillowcase' and how it relates to our true self. Swami Sarvapriyananda delves into the nature of consciousness and the importance of seeking God in the heart of the devotee. Learn about the three distinct paths to realization: the jnani's inquiry, the yogi's experience, and the bhakta's devotion, each leading to liberation. The discussion highlights the beauty of pluralism in spiritual practice and the harmonious coexistence of different paths.

Explore the fascinating lizard omen phenomenon and how village superstitions clash with urban skepticism. Delve into Sri Ramakrishna's discerning perspective on visitors, revealing hidden motives behind their actions. Discover the power of devotional practices, the significance of chanting during crises, and the essential balance between knowledge and devotion. Learn how spiritual life can be enhanced or hindered by our attachments and perceptions, while appreciating the wisdom of saints who see through facades with compassion.

Swami Sarvapriyananda explores the necessity of spiritual practice, likening it to realizing the formless God. He discusses the evolving nature of faith, illustrating how simple memories of the divine can lead to profound devotion. The podcast contrasts various forms of practice—like action, meditation, and devotion—and delves into the inclusivity of spiritual paths advocated by Sri Ramakrishna. It emphasizes religious pluralism, the connection between practices and realization, and the inspiring power of sacred places.

Swami Sarvapriyananda dives into the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, exploring the significance of direct God-realization over intellectual understanding. He discusses the diverse backgrounds of attendees and the Master’s teachings on spiritual practice versus ritual. Key topics include the essence of meditation, the importance of spiritual discipline, and the value of young disciples over societal reputations. The dialogue touches on multiple paths to the Divine, emphasizing that all religions ultimately lead to the same truth.

Swami Sarvapriyananda delves into the significance of meditation and the metaphoric dive into the divine. He identifies six inner obstacles that hinder spiritual progress and offers remedies through discernment and renunciation. The discussion highlights the importance of genuine humility and unconditional giving while navigating spiritual life. Interesting anecdotes illustrate true devotion, and the contrast between worldly-mindedness and dedication to God sets a poignant backdrop. The conversation wraps up with insights on the essence of focus and unwavering commitment to spiritual liberation.

Explore the fascinating dream of a Brahmin walking on water, symbolizing the divine guidance in seeking spirituality. Delve into Sri Ramakrishna’s profound chanting practices and the vibrant temple life at Dakshineswar. Discover the essence of bhakti as the heart of spiritual practice and the unique views on women's roles in spirituality. Engage with enchanting tales of miraculous faith, including stories of hermits walking the sea. Finally, ponder the link between mind, meditation, and neuroscience, as well as the spiritual possibilities observed even in illness.

Swami Sarvapriyananda dives deep into Sri Ramakrishna's teachings, recounting how love and compassion can guide correction rather than cruelty. He highlights the importance of focusing conversations on God to foster devotion and joy. Through anecdotes like a monk viewing Prophet Muhammad as a divine embodiment, the discussion explores plural devotion across faiths. Practical advice for balancing spirituality with worldly life is shared, emphasizing the need for disciplined meditation. The essence of seeing divinity in everyone encourages a compassionate response to challenges.

Dr. Edwin Bryant received his Ph.D in Indic languages and Cultures from Columbia University. He taught Hinduism at Harvard University for three years, and is presently the professor of Hinduism at Rutgers University where he teaches courses on Hindu philosophy and religion. He has received numerous awards and fellowships, published six books and authored a number of articles on Vedic history, yoga, and the Krishna tradition. In addition to his academic work for the scholarly community, Edwin's Penguin World Classics translation of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, the traditional source for the story of Krishna's incarnation, is both for Indology specialists as well as students and those interested in Hinduism from the general reading public and the yoga community.Links to Prof. Bryant's Website and Books:http://www.edwinbryant.org“The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali: A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0865477361“Bhakti Yoga: Tales and Teachings from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa” : https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bhakti+Yog...“Krishna: A Sourcebook” — https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Krishna+So...“The Quest for the Origins of Vedic Culture: The Indo‑Aryan Migration Debate” — https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Quest+for+...“The Hare Krishna Movement: The Postcharismatic Fate of a Religious Transplant” — https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Hare+Krish...“Indo‑Aryan Controversy: Evidence and Inference in Indian History” — https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Indo-Aryan...► To support the Vedanta Society of New York: http://www.vedantany.org/donateVedanta NY Archives:    / vedantanewyorkarchives  Web: http://vedantany.orgSoundcloud:   / vedantany  iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqX...Facebook:   / vedantany  ABOUT VEDANTAVedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.ABOUT USVedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

Prof. Arindam Chakrabarti, a philosopher from Ashoka University, delves into the perplexing nature of self-ignorance. He examines why knowing ourselves is both painful and rare, linking it to concepts from Advaita Vedanta. He contrasts modern ignorance with ancient insights, exploring Vedic metaphors that illustrate layers of unknowing. Chakrabarti argues that this ignorance, rather than being mere absence, plays a crucial role in enriching our experiences. He also discusses the fear tied to self-knowledge, revealing a profound connection to individuality and empathy.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Jeffery D. Long, a prominent expert on Indian religions, explores the profound teachings of Sri Ramakrishna as a synthesis of Vedanta. He highlights Ramakrishna's inclusive, non-proselytizing spirit and his dedication to multiple spiritual paths, including Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Islam. Long also elaborates on the blend of personal and impersonal aspects of Brahman in Ramakrishna's philosophy, his impact on Vedanta's global relevance, and the enduring harmony of religions that he advocated.