

Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda
Vedanta Society of New York
Swami Sarvapriyananda delivers insightful talks on Vedanta at the Vedanta Society of New York, an institution founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Vedanta, rooted in the ancient Vedas, is one of the world’s oldest and most expansive spiritual philosophies. It emphasizes the oneness of all existence, the divinity of the individual soul, and the harmony among all religions, offering timeless wisdom for personal and spiritual growth. Through these talks, Swami Sarvapriyananda explores profound spiritual truths, making Vedanta’s teachings relevant to modern seekers.Vedanta Society of New YorkApple PodcastSpotify PodcastDonations to support Vedanta Society of New York gratefully accepted via PaypalAll Original Content © Vedanta Society of New York
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 17min
Nondual Meditation - Retreat Part 5 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Dive into the essence of nondual meditation, where the mantra recitation reveals our true nature beyond dualities. Explore the concept of awareness that transcends the ego and mental barriers, guiding you to liberation. Discover the significance of 'Aum' and pranayama as key tools for deeper meditation. The intriguing links between Alice in Wonderland and consciousness offer fresh insights into reality. Learn valuable lessons about emotional stability through the tea metaphor, while delving into the rich historical tapestry of Patanjali's yoga practices.

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 27min
Ask Swami with Swami Sarvapriyananda | Nov 24th, 2024
Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Nov 24th, 2024. List of questions with timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:53 - How can I reconcile devotion and non-dual knowledge?23:27 - If I realize I am pure consciousness, do I also have a vision of God with form?31:21 - What is Mahat (universal intelligence) in the Samkhya philosophy?34:24 - Is it possible to practice Bhakti without God or deities?36:28 - Can you talk about your experience with the monk who said "we are missing it a thousand times every moment"?54:03 - Can consciousness remain by itself without appearing as objects?59:13 - Why should I strive for enlightenment?01:09:00 - How can I keep up study of Advaita without losing interest?01:14:33 - Is the experience of nothingness in deep sleep the same as the experience after death, or for enlightened souls?01:18:15 - Does everyone have to go through experience/enjoyment in the world before enlightenment?

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 20min
Nondual Meditation - Retreat Part 4 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the journey of nondual meditation, starting with traditional Om chanting and body relaxation techniques. Discover the profound relationship between cause and effect, illuminating the perception of unity beyond forms. Delve into the complexities of consciousness, language, and solitary peace, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance. Engage with philosophical insights on reality and oneness, while examining the nature of existence and the links between Advaita Vedanta and modern thought.

Jan 5, 2025 • 50min
Nondual Meditation - Retreat Part 3 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the profound depths of nondual meditation and the unity of consciousness, where dreams illustrate our true nature. Discover the balance between discipline and joy in spiritual practice as insights from the Bhagavad Gita emerge. Delve into the dual meanings of protection and enjoyment from the Ishvopanishad, blurring the lines between spirituality and science. Engage with themes of worldly involvement versus meditation, and appreciate how silence transcends words, unlocking deeper realizations about consciousness and interconnectedness.

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 18min
Nondual Meditation - Retreat Part 2 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Dive deep into the nature of non-dual consciousness through meditation. Discover how spiritual practices like yoga help unveil the essence of awareness beyond life's chaos. Learn about Niyama and its role in self-control and cleansing as a pathway to inner peace. Explore fascinating Sanskrit concepts that connect consciousness to existence, revealing the unity of Brahman with the material world. This journey toward recognizing our true, limitless nature fosters profound compassion and insights into our motivations.

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 36min
Nondual Meditation - Retreat Part 1 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Discover the transformative teachings of Vedanta and how to transcend the body-mind identification. Delve into the essential stages of spiritual study: listening, reflection, and deep meditation. Experience guided meditation that connects you with consciousness. Explore the intriguing relationship between perception and reality, while grasping the principles of Advaita Vedanta. Unpack causality using the clay pot analogy, illustrating the inseparable essence of existence. Contemplate awareness and experience, revealing the non-dual nature of reality.

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 24min
Always Awake | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Explore the profound theme of 'always awake' through enlightening anecdotes and reflections on divine awareness. Discover the nurturing spirit of a mother's sacrifice and how it mirrors the quest for spiritual companionship. Delve into the relationship between consciousness and reality, illuminating the path to enlightenment. Uncover the illusion of duality in Advaita Vedanta, prompting a deeper understanding of self and interconnectedness. Embrace the ever-present light of divine Consciousness that unites all existence.

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 11min
10. Kena Upanishad | Mantra 2.1 Continued | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 13min
9. Kena Upanishad | Mantra 2.1 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 20min
8. Kena Upanishad | Mantras 1.6 - 1.9 Continued | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Kena Upanishad (Sanskrit: केनोपनिषद्) (also alternatively known as Talavakara Upanishad) is a Vedic Sanskrit text classified as one of the primary or Mukhya Upanishads that is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmana of the Samaveda. It is listed as number 2 in the Muktikā, the canon of the 108 Upanishads of Hinduism.Kena Upanishad has three parts: 13 verses in the first part, 15 paragraphs in the second part, and 6 paragraphs in the epilogue. These are distributed in four khaṇḍas (खण्ड, sections or volumes). The first Khanda has 8 verses, the second has 5 verses. The third Khanda has 12 paragraphs, while the fourth khanda has the remaining 9 (3 paragraphs of main text and 6 paragraphs of the epilogue).