Ask Swami Q&A
This is a curated collection of the VSNY Sunday Ask Swami Q&A sessions. Each question is thoughtfully categorized and linked directly to Swami Sarvapriyananda’s insightful video answers. While some questions might fit multiple categories, we’ve streamlined the experience by ensuring each question appears only once. Click on a question and find the answers you seek.
The entire playlist of Ask Swami Q&A is available on YouTube and SoundCloud. New questions may be sent to askswami@vedantany.org.
How can I worship God if I am one with God?
I find it easy to say "I am Brahman", but how can I say "I am Jesus"?
When we pray for peace, who are we praying to?
If Brahman through Maya becomes God, why surrender to God?
Among the two paths of spirituality namely Bhakti (Devotion) and Jnana (Knowledge), which one is the right?
If I am one with God (according to Advaita Vedanta concept) what is the necessity of worshiping as the worshiper and worshipped are the same?
In Bhakti traditions, God is understood to have love and compassion. What is the relation of God of Advaita with the God of Bhakti traditions?
Why are you stressing more on the teachings of non-dualism of Shankara and neglecting Ramanujacharya's and Madhavacharya's teaching. There are more references of Madhavacharya than Shankara in even Gospels of Ramakrishna.
I find it easy to say "I am Brahman", but how can I say "I am Jesus"?
When we pray for peace, who are we praying to?
If Brahman through Maya becomes God, why surrender to God?
Among the two paths of spirituality namely Bhakti (Devotion) and Jnana (Knowledge), which one is the right?
If I am one with God (according to Advaita Vedanta concept) what is the necessity of worshiping as the worshiper and worshipped are the same?
In Bhakti traditions, God is understood to have love and compassion. What is the relation of God of Advaita with the God of Bhakti traditions?
Why are you stressing more on the teachings of non-dualism of Shankara and neglecting Ramanujacharya's and Madhavacharya's teaching. There are more references of Madhavacharya than Shankara in even Gospels of Ramakrishna.
If avidya (ignorance) is in Brahman, isn't it real?
If all is Brahman, what is wrong with Maya?
Why do we call this world false?
Isn't enlightenment part of Maya?
If the universe is continuously rising and falling, is the universe something different from the Atman?
Can science lead us to the ultimate truth?
You have said that maya projects the universe and veils the truth. Is this the same as the Samkhya philosophy?
Is it true that time and space are illusions?
How can the formless Brahman produce a universe of forms?
How can Brahman in Sri Ramakrishna's Vijnana Vedanta be beyond cause and effect if the universe is a real manifestation of shakti?
If consciousness illumines Maya, then why does it need the support of Maya to realize itself?
How can Maya be both real and unreal?
How to reconcile the ultimate reality with Maya?
Does the presence of Maya imply duality?
Is one’s attitude towards God a part of maya? How is it different for the liberated?
How does the One appear as the many? What is Maya?
Are the universe and the Absolute the same thing? Is the universe real?
Based on the discussion of Brahman & Universe with the reference of Pot & Clay analogy-
Why does anything appear in pure consciousness at all?
c) Doesn't the experience of Maya run counter to the principle of nondualism, or
What exactly is meant by the term ""faultlines"" with regards to pointing out the
We say Brahman is the only reality and the world is Maya (illusion). Then what causes the world to appear?
What is the existence of the universe, and how is it related to the spiritual world?
If all is Brahman, what is wrong with Maya?
Why do we call this world false?
Isn't enlightenment part of Maya?
If the universe is continuously rising and falling, is the universe something different from the Atman?
Can science lead us to the ultimate truth?
You have said that maya projects the universe and veils the truth. Is this the same as the Samkhya philosophy?
Is it true that time and space are illusions?
How can the formless Brahman produce a universe of forms?
How can Brahman in Sri Ramakrishna's Vijnana Vedanta be beyond cause and effect if the universe is a real manifestation of shakti?
If consciousness illumines Maya, then why does it need the support of Maya to realize itself?
How can Maya be both real and unreal?
How to reconcile the ultimate reality with Maya?
Does the presence of Maya imply duality?
Is one’s attitude towards God a part of maya? How is it different for the liberated?
How does the One appear as the many? What is Maya?
Are the universe and the Absolute the same thing? Is the universe real?
Based on the discussion of Brahman & Universe with the reference of Pot & Clay analogy-
Why does anything appear in pure consciousness at all?
c) Doesn't the experience of Maya run counter to the principle of nondualism, or
What exactly is meant by the term ""faultlines"" with regards to pointing out the
We say Brahman is the only reality and the world is Maya (illusion). Then what causes the world to appear?
What is the existence of the universe, and how is it related to the spiritual world?
How do desires transmigrate after death?
What is the nature of thread that connects the samskaras of one “Jeeva” even after death?
When the body is damaged or dies, only this body stops working. Why does
How do memory or samskaras travel from one birth to another? If mind and
When we are reborn, do we get the same piece of consciousness as we have in this birth?
Tell us more about death and destruction of universe.
What is the nature of thread that connects the samskaras of one “Jeeva” even after death?
When the body is damaged or dies, only this body stops working. Why does
How do memory or samskaras travel from one birth to another? If mind and
When we are reborn, do we get the same piece of consciousness as we have in this birth?
Tell us more about death and destruction of universe.
Does moksha happen at once, or does it happen over time?
Why are there so many different perspectives on moksha?
Can there be spontaneous enlightenment without spiritual practice?
Will a realized person retain their individuality after enlightenment?
When we obtain knowledge of true consciousness, how is it that we continue to experience the current reality?
What happens to the reflected consciousness after death, and after enlightenment?
Is enlightenment a gradual process or a “wow” moment?
Do negative emotions persists after Enlightenment?
Does an enlightened person have any choice to go to the highest of “Brahmaloka” after “Mahasamadhi”?
What entity becomes liberated?
Why are there so many different perspectives on moksha?
Can there be spontaneous enlightenment without spiritual practice?
Will a realized person retain their individuality after enlightenment?
When we obtain knowledge of true consciousness, how is it that we continue to experience the current reality?
What happens to the reflected consciousness after death, and after enlightenment?
Is enlightenment a gradual process or a “wow” moment?
Do negative emotions persists after Enlightenment?
Does an enlightened person have any choice to go to the highest of “Brahmaloka” after “Mahasamadhi”?
What entity becomes liberated?
Is there a concept in Hinduism about a personal God that can suffer?
As our identities are ephemeral in dreams, aren't our identities also ephemeral in awareness? How is Advaita as expressed by Nisargadatta different from Advaita taught in the Ramakrishna Order?
Who created the universe, Iswara or Hiranyagarba? Why is it said that Hiranyagarba has maximum bliss?
Are the scriptures useless with regard to swadharma?
Is all this philosophy just something that has been fed to us?
Is there any overlap between psychotherapy and Vedanta?
What is the closest concept in Vedanta to the ideas of the spirit and the soul?
Is Advaita Vedanta escapism?
Is Vedanta the same as subjective idealism?
How is moksha defined in Vedanta?
1) Does the Vedanta philosophy evolve? 2) Do new insights from science get integrated?
The spiritual heaven in Vedanta.
Difference between Jnanindriyan and Buddhindriyan.
How can the universe come out of nothing? Does Advaita Vedanta recognize an Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God?
Different categories of spiritual seekers as per the Gita.
Does Sri Ramakrishana’s Vijnana Vedanta imply dualism?
Is faith needed in Advaita Vedanta?
Thoughts and the Cosmic Mind.
How do we know if Advaita Vedanta is true?
What is the distinction between Mind and Intellect?
a) What is the difference between ""kuladevi"" (family deity) and ""isha devata""
I have recently come across the concept of sentient robots. How can one harmonize it with Advaita Vedanta Philosophy?
What does 'Bindu Naad Kalaa' mean?
Where does evil come from?
If the whole world is Brahman, then it suggests the evil is also Brahman. Then how to distinguish between good and evil? If God exists then why is evil more than good in the world?
As our identities are ephemeral in dreams, aren't our identities also ephemeral in awareness? How is Advaita as expressed by Nisargadatta different from Advaita taught in the Ramakrishna Order?
Who created the universe, Iswara or Hiranyagarba? Why is it said that Hiranyagarba has maximum bliss?
Are the scriptures useless with regard to swadharma?
Is all this philosophy just something that has been fed to us?
Is there any overlap between psychotherapy and Vedanta?
What is the closest concept in Vedanta to the ideas of the spirit and the soul?
Is Advaita Vedanta escapism?
Is Vedanta the same as subjective idealism?
How is moksha defined in Vedanta?
1) Does the Vedanta philosophy evolve? 2) Do new insights from science get integrated?
The spiritual heaven in Vedanta.
Difference between Jnanindriyan and Buddhindriyan.
How can the universe come out of nothing? Does Advaita Vedanta recognize an Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God?
Different categories of spiritual seekers as per the Gita.
Does Sri Ramakrishana’s Vijnana Vedanta imply dualism?
Is faith needed in Advaita Vedanta?
Thoughts and the Cosmic Mind.
How do we know if Advaita Vedanta is true?
What is the distinction between Mind and Intellect?
a) What is the difference between ""kuladevi"" (family deity) and ""isha devata""
I have recently come across the concept of sentient robots. How can one harmonize it with Advaita Vedanta Philosophy?
What does 'Bindu Naad Kalaa' mean?
Where does evil come from?
If the whole world is Brahman, then it suggests the evil is also Brahman. Then how to distinguish between good and evil? If God exists then why is evil more than good in the world?
How does one love consciousness?
Who is the doer of action?
Which is correct, Jiva is Shiva, or everything is a dream?
What is the difference between the knower and the witness?
If the Self is the only reality, who is the doer?
How can it be said that Self is free, and yet all beings are in the Self?
If I am pure consciousness, why do unwanted situations appear to me?
How can we make the leap from the individual to the universal consciousness?
What separates the individual soul from Brahman?
If you are already Brahman, what is the purpose of a appearing as a sentient being and finding Brahman?
[Part 2] If Brahman is neutral, why does Brahman manifest?
How do we drop identification with the body?
If I am Brahman, who is under delusion? And If Brahman is fulfilled, what need does Brahman have for power? (Second question repeated at 42:05)
What is the difference between individual and cosmic consciousness? How can we realize the reality of one consciousness?
1) To whom does enlightenment happen if we are already Brahman? 2) How can we be responsible for all the pain and suffering if we are already Brahman? 3) How can Brahman have no characteristics?
A discussion on free will inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
Is the presence of a life force (Prana) an illusion?
Are we many or one? Is ignorance in Brahman or java?
Do I have any say in changing my character’s role in the world that is nothing but “God’s leela”?
What works the mind if Pure Consciousness is not affected by the material
Should we assume that each one of us has our own consciousness, and if so,
What is the difference between 'Jeeva' (sentient beings) and 'Jada' (insentient things)? If both are manifestation of Brahman, then what Karma makes one thing 'Jeeva' and the other 'Jada'?
Who is witnessing the mind?
Who is deluded by maya?
Who is the doer of action?
Which is correct, Jiva is Shiva, or everything is a dream?
What is the difference between the knower and the witness?
If the Self is the only reality, who is the doer?
How can it be said that Self is free, and yet all beings are in the Self?
If I am pure consciousness, why do unwanted situations appear to me?
How can we make the leap from the individual to the universal consciousness?
What separates the individual soul from Brahman?
If you are already Brahman, what is the purpose of a appearing as a sentient being and finding Brahman?
[Part 2] If Brahman is neutral, why does Brahman manifest?
How do we drop identification with the body?
If I am Brahman, who is under delusion? And If Brahman is fulfilled, what need does Brahman have for power? (Second question repeated at 42:05)
What is the difference between individual and cosmic consciousness? How can we realize the reality of one consciousness?
1) To whom does enlightenment happen if we are already Brahman? 2) How can we be responsible for all the pain and suffering if we are already Brahman? 3) How can Brahman have no characteristics?
A discussion on free will inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
Is the presence of a life force (Prana) an illusion?
Are we many or one? Is ignorance in Brahman or java?
Do I have any say in changing my character’s role in the world that is nothing but “God’s leela”?
What works the mind if Pure Consciousness is not affected by the material
Should we assume that each one of us has our own consciousness, and if so,
What is the difference between 'Jeeva' (sentient beings) and 'Jada' (insentient things)? If both are manifestation of Brahman, then what Karma makes one thing 'Jeeva' and the other 'Jada'?
Who is witnessing the mind?
Who is deluded by maya?
How can I develop pure love?
Is the anandamaya kosha (bliss sheath) really blissful?
Why does Drg-Drsya-Viveka indicate that only the avaccheda (limitation) theory explains the appearance of one consciousness as many consciousnesses?
Why is the path of Bhakti supposed to be dualistic?
How can realization occur in the mind, if the mind is actually false?
Is the "I" thought unique? How does investigating it lead to the Atman?
How can we understand the real nature of the self?
What is Vedantic meditation?
How do I choose my ishta devata?
Does the 7th mantra of the Mandukya Upanishad state that Turiya is not consciousness?
Is the awakening of the Kundalini and the recognition of our real nature as the spirit the same as Aparokshanubhuti?
[Part 1] How do we have duality in experience when reality is non-dual?
Why do we believe there is one awareness and not many awarenesses?
Is the reflected consciousness the same as the pramata (the knower)?
A step-by-step examination of the challenges one faces in grasping the ‘Witness’
What is the nature of bliss? Is it dependent on the mind? Does a pure being experience bliss all the time?
Is it difficult to stay in the non-dual path when the path of knowledge is considered difficult to follow in the current age?
Advice for somebody who has experienced a flash of spiritual bliss and is trying to understand and sustain it.
Explain the verse from the Taittiriya Upanishad: "He who is here in man and he who is in yonder sun—both are one."
Difference between the views that the universe never existed vs the universe is brahman. If we are one consciousness, why do we react differently in different circumstances.
In Nirvanashatakam, bliss is first negated but then accepted. Which is it? Difference between Ananda and happiness.
God-centered vs. Self-enquiry based religions.
According to ‘Mandukya’, when try to focus on the sense of “I” find focusing on ‘Ego’ somewhere in the chest, who is sensing it?
Acharyas repeatedly say You are That Infinite Existence, I am the Awareness
a) What makes the difference between the mind of Swami Vivekananda and
Shravana, manana, nidhidhyasana (hearing, pondering, assimilating). These
a) Is what I experience right now the appearance OF reality, or appearance AS
Being the creator of my own dreams why can’t see it from other’s perspective?
Is the anandamaya kosha (bliss sheath) really blissful?
Why does Drg-Drsya-Viveka indicate that only the avaccheda (limitation) theory explains the appearance of one consciousness as many consciousnesses?
Why is the path of Bhakti supposed to be dualistic?
How can realization occur in the mind, if the mind is actually false?
Is the "I" thought unique? How does investigating it lead to the Atman?
How can we understand the real nature of the self?
What is Vedantic meditation?
How do I choose my ishta devata?
Does the 7th mantra of the Mandukya Upanishad state that Turiya is not consciousness?
Is the awakening of the Kundalini and the recognition of our real nature as the spirit the same as Aparokshanubhuti?
[Part 1] How do we have duality in experience when reality is non-dual?
Why do we believe there is one awareness and not many awarenesses?
Is the reflected consciousness the same as the pramata (the knower)?
A step-by-step examination of the challenges one faces in grasping the ‘Witness’
What is the nature of bliss? Is it dependent on the mind? Does a pure being experience bliss all the time?
Is it difficult to stay in the non-dual path when the path of knowledge is considered difficult to follow in the current age?
Advice for somebody who has experienced a flash of spiritual bliss and is trying to understand and sustain it.
Explain the verse from the Taittiriya Upanishad: "He who is here in man and he who is in yonder sun—both are one."
Difference between the views that the universe never existed vs the universe is brahman. If we are one consciousness, why do we react differently in different circumstances.
In Nirvanashatakam, bliss is first negated but then accepted. Which is it? Difference between Ananda and happiness.
God-centered vs. Self-enquiry based religions.
According to ‘Mandukya’, when try to focus on the sense of “I” find focusing on ‘Ego’ somewhere in the chest, who is sensing it?
Acharyas repeatedly say You are That Infinite Existence, I am the Awareness
a) What makes the difference between the mind of Swami Vivekananda and
Shravana, manana, nidhidhyasana (hearing, pondering, assimilating). These
a) Is what I experience right now the appearance OF reality, or appearance AS
Being the creator of my own dreams why can’t see it from other’s perspective?
How is the cycle of reincarnation possible?
How has Karma manifested itself to give rise to the universe?
If there is ultimately no free will, how is Karma applicable?
What is Shraddha?
How can we deal with thoughts of dispassion towards the world?
Is it true that the "ego" consciousness sets the wheel of karma in motion?
If everything is an appearance, how is karma kept track of?
How can the law of Karma explain the sudden loss of so many lives in the current pandemic?
Does your liberation depend upon your karma?
Are your tendencies from past life part of a bigger purpose in the universe?
What is Advaita Vedanta’s standpoint on karmic liability that leads to rebirth?
If we are all same, the witness consciousness or God how does the Law of Karma affect us?
Why do you think Karma does not adequately explain evil & suffering?
Why, when and how did Karma start?
a) Nirguna Brahman is manifested in a body. Who decides that body (as in
Difference between the mind of a yogi and the mind of a worldly person.
Karma, redemption, suffering, and beyond.
Can karma affect an enlightened person?
If whatever we do is Karma then does whatever we think also our Karma?
If same Brahman is residing in me and others, how is my Karma my own, why don't I share somebody else's Karma or vice versa?
What is the point of Karma when the results of the action is delayed and we don't even remember the actions for which we are suffering? How are we supposed to learn the lesson?Â
If so much of what happens to us is due to our Karma in past lives and our tendencies that we have inherited, what is the need of living within the framework of morality?
How has Karma manifested itself to give rise to the universe?
If there is ultimately no free will, how is Karma applicable?
What is Shraddha?
How can we deal with thoughts of dispassion towards the world?
Is it true that the "ego" consciousness sets the wheel of karma in motion?
If everything is an appearance, how is karma kept track of?
How can the law of Karma explain the sudden loss of so many lives in the current pandemic?
Does your liberation depend upon your karma?
Are your tendencies from past life part of a bigger purpose in the universe?
What is Advaita Vedanta’s standpoint on karmic liability that leads to rebirth?
If we are all same, the witness consciousness or God how does the Law of Karma affect us?
Why do you think Karma does not adequately explain evil & suffering?
Why, when and how did Karma start?
a) Nirguna Brahman is manifested in a body. Who decides that body (as in
Difference between the mind of a yogi and the mind of a worldly person.
Karma, redemption, suffering, and beyond.
Can karma affect an enlightened person?
If whatever we do is Karma then does whatever we think also our Karma?
If same Brahman is residing in me and others, how is my Karma my own, why don't I share somebody else's Karma or vice versa?
What is the point of Karma when the results of the action is delayed and we don't even remember the actions for which we are suffering? How are we supposed to learn the lesson?Â
If so much of what happens to us is due to our Karma in past lives and our tendencies that we have inherited, what is the need of living within the framework of morality?
After having our vices under control, what is the next step forward? After having cleansed the mind, what is the next step in mediation?
What is the role of psychedelics in mystical experience?
The path of Raja Yoga allows us to "turn off" the world and see the ultimate reality. Is this superior to the path of Jnana Yoga?
How to combine Vedantic meditation with the practice of Mantra meditation.
Which meditation should we practice - Vedantic or Mantra?
Dealing with disturbances during meditation.
Dealing with sleepiness during meditation.
Is there any meeting point between visualization of goals or meditation and Karma Yoga?
b) What is the significance (if any) of various experiences had during meditation
What might be the difference between the eyes opened and closed while trying to do meditation?
With closed eyes I can see the inner light but with opened eyes it’s not the case. What is it that notices the difference while trying doing meditation with closed eyes and opened eyes?
Why is Advaitic meditation (Nidhidhyasana) sometimes considered better than Yogic meditation (meditation of Patanjali Yoga Sutras)?
In text-based meditation technique, I'm faced with external disturbances - such as - ticking of clock, chirping of bird, etc. and the internal & external get mixed up. What is the way out?
What is the role of psychedelics in mystical experience?
The path of Raja Yoga allows us to "turn off" the world and see the ultimate reality. Is this superior to the path of Jnana Yoga?
How to combine Vedantic meditation with the practice of Mantra meditation.
Which meditation should we practice - Vedantic or Mantra?
Dealing with disturbances during meditation.
Dealing with sleepiness during meditation.
Is there any meeting point between visualization of goals or meditation and Karma Yoga?
b) What is the significance (if any) of various experiences had during meditation
What might be the difference between the eyes opened and closed while trying to do meditation?
With closed eyes I can see the inner light but with opened eyes it’s not the case. What is it that notices the difference while trying doing meditation with closed eyes and opened eyes?
Why is Advaitic meditation (Nidhidhyasana) sometimes considered better than Yogic meditation (meditation of Patanjali Yoga Sutras)?
In text-based meditation technique, I'm faced with external disturbances - such as - ticking of clock, chirping of bird, etc. and the internal & external get mixed up. What is the way out?
If consciousness is universal, why aren't inert objects aware? Isn't consciousness dependent on the senses and mind?
The witness consciousness, sat, chit, ananda, the basis of all truths, cannot perform any action. The mind removes its own veil. How can we turn this understanding into meditation?
If both bliss and pain are in the mind, why is Atman described as pure bliss, and not also pure pain?
What is the relationship between a pure mind and a scattered mind?
Can the self be self-aware without mind or object?
How can I be sure that consciousness is not manufactured by the brain?
What is the role of the mind in self-realization?
Difference between the ego and the witness. Is consciousness a creation of the brain.
Is it the mind watching the thoughts without generating further thoughts (subsiding other thoughts) or is it the witness consciousness? If it’s mind why can’t watch the absence of thoughts in the Deep sleep state?
What is ""citta""? What is the difference between ""citta"" and ""consciousness""?
Everything we do is prompted by thoughts, which are the functions of the
b) Why does the play of Consciousness give so many negative experiences
Is Consciousness separate from the brain?
The Awareness, or Consciousness (Atma, Chaitanya etc.) is common to all
Do our senses tell us what is real?
Is there suffering outside of the mind?
The witness consciousness, sat, chit, ananda, the basis of all truths, cannot perform any action. The mind removes its own veil. How can we turn this understanding into meditation?
If both bliss and pain are in the mind, why is Atman described as pure bliss, and not also pure pain?
What is the relationship between a pure mind and a scattered mind?
Can the self be self-aware without mind or object?
How can I be sure that consciousness is not manufactured by the brain?
What is the role of the mind in self-realization?
Difference between the ego and the witness. Is consciousness a creation of the brain.
Is it the mind watching the thoughts without generating further thoughts (subsiding other thoughts) or is it the witness consciousness? If it’s mind why can’t watch the absence of thoughts in the Deep sleep state?
What is ""citta""? What is the difference between ""citta"" and ""consciousness""?
Everything we do is prompted by thoughts, which are the functions of the
b) Why does the play of Consciousness give so many negative experiences
Is Consciousness separate from the brain?
The Awareness, or Consciousness (Atma, Chaitanya etc.) is common to all
Do our senses tell us what is real?
Is there suffering outside of the mind?
Can pure consciousness change the appearance of reality?
Can Brahman be equally immanent and transcendent?
What do you mean by an appearance in consciousness? Is it permitted to think of consciousness with qualities?
How can reality be truly One?
How is it that the self is in all beings from the chit (consciousness) perspective?
Is it possible to experience Turiya temporarily?
How is the witness consciousness really free, if it cannot choose what it wants to witness?
What is the relationship between the reflected consciousness and pure consciousness?
How is bliss the same as existence and consciousness?
How do we know that Brahman is the ultimate reality?
How does consciousness appear in all things? What is needed to see this underlying truth?
It is said that Brahman is existence-consciousness-bliss. Is it fair to say that Brahman is existence, with consciousness and bliss?
If the universe appears in consciousness as a city appears in a mirror, is there something external to consciousness that appears in consciousness?
How do I know that this awareness that I am is the infinite?
If Brahman cannot be experienced as an object, what kind of experience is there in Nirvikalpa Samadhi?
How to know the Self when It cannot be objectified? Is inference sufficient?
Is consciousness present in non-living things? Are they also Brahman?
Do Sat, Chit, and Ananda refer to the same thing?
Is awareness experienced as an object?
Is the Anahata Sound (unstruck sound) same as Brahman?
Understanding superconsciousness.
How do we know if consciousness is ever-present?
Is the concept “Ekajeevavada” connected to the “Hard problem of Consciousness”?
Does Awareness always need a vehicle for it to exist?
One can say that the substratum of human Consciousness is Pure
How is Consciousness experienced? How do we know/grasp it? What
Does pure consciousness have intention or it is my own realization of pure consciousness that creates circumstances?
Can Brahman be equally immanent and transcendent?
What do you mean by an appearance in consciousness? Is it permitted to think of consciousness with qualities?
How can reality be truly One?
How is it that the self is in all beings from the chit (consciousness) perspective?
Is it possible to experience Turiya temporarily?
How is the witness consciousness really free, if it cannot choose what it wants to witness?
What is the relationship between the reflected consciousness and pure consciousness?
How is bliss the same as existence and consciousness?
How do we know that Brahman is the ultimate reality?
How does consciousness appear in all things? What is needed to see this underlying truth?
It is said that Brahman is existence-consciousness-bliss. Is it fair to say that Brahman is existence, with consciousness and bliss?
If the universe appears in consciousness as a city appears in a mirror, is there something external to consciousness that appears in consciousness?
How do I know that this awareness that I am is the infinite?
If Brahman cannot be experienced as an object, what kind of experience is there in Nirvikalpa Samadhi?
How to know the Self when It cannot be objectified? Is inference sufficient?
Is consciousness present in non-living things? Are they also Brahman?
Do Sat, Chit, and Ananda refer to the same thing?
Is awareness experienced as an object?
Is the Anahata Sound (unstruck sound) same as Brahman?
Understanding superconsciousness.
How do we know if consciousness is ever-present?
Is the concept “Ekajeevavada” connected to the “Hard problem of Consciousness”?
Does Awareness always need a vehicle for it to exist?
One can say that the substratum of human Consciousness is Pure
How is Consciousness experienced? How do we know/grasp it? What
Does pure consciousness have intention or it is my own realization of pure consciousness that creates circumstances?
Can God be both impersonal and personal?
Why is there a tradition of fear in relation to God?
How can we define God for a young person?
Why is fear of God discussed in religion?
Who made God?
Since it is a way to reach God by serving the suffered has God created suffering in this world? Is he not biased then?
Why is there a tradition of fear in relation to God?
How can we define God for a young person?
Why is fear of God discussed in religion?
Who made God?
Since it is a way to reach God by serving the suffered has God created suffering in this world? Is he not biased then?
Why do we need to search for the unchanging self?
Is it ok to pray to God to satisfy our desires?
What is the purpose of professional ambition and duty?
How do you overcome sorrow that comes from seeing the suffering of others?
How can one get rid of unwanted vasanas (desires)?
Can art lead us to the infinite? What is the nature of abhyasa? What is the nature of vairagya?
When a spiritual seeker becomes stuck, is a guru necessary?
If we want to take up a life of renunciation, what practices should be followed?
How do I know if I am progressing spiritually? How can one recognize an enlightened being?
What hope is there for an ordinary householder in achieving realization?
How can we keep children involved with spiritual concepts?
How can we resolve the conflict between our spiritual journey and responsibilities in daily life?
What is my swadharma?
How can I turn intellectual realization into a living reality?
How can we develop detachment from material pursuits?
[Part 1] How do we know if we are progressing in spiritual life?
[Part 2] How can an enlightened person be recognized?
[Part 3] What are some practical suggestions for practicing pratyahara (withdrawal from the external world)?
What does Vedanta say about justice in society?
Why is private spirituality not spirituality?
I am in school and have lost interest in studies. I would rather seek the spiritual truths. What are my options?
I was brought up in a christian tradition but have become interested in Vedanta. Is is possible for a person to be pulled into Vedanta by no conscious effort?
If we have family, friends, and relationships can we also reach enlightenment? Can we have both?
Can we not measure in a quantitative way how much we understand?
How to manifest the knowledge of Advaita?
Does suffering bring us closer to spirituality? Can people who are mentally week resort to spirituality as an escape route?
If I do not “exist”, how do I approach the demands of the world.
How is it possible to attain God while living in the world? How do I choose a guru? Is enlightenment possible without mantra diksha?
Distinguishing between vairagya (dispassion) and tamas (darkness). How to practice non-injury but still protect ourself?
How to overcome the fear of unknown and revel in the silence.
Should we trust our own insights?
How can one remember their past lives?
How can I apply Vedanta to family life?
How can one be aware of ones desires bubbling up in the mind?
How to introduce the concept of Atman to children?
How can I establish my goals in life?
How do we contemplate and approach the topic of death?
How can I be aware of my true nature at all times?
Controlling the mind and turning it towards God.
Need of a Guru and spiritual initiation (Mantra Diksha).
How can I determine the spiritual practices in accordance to my temperamental tendency in the day to day life? What are the suggestions proposed by Shree Ramakrishna and the Swamis of Ramakrishna order for the householders in connection to the spiritual growth and God realization?
How do you think about Kriya-Yoga? Would you recommend practicing this?
What is the recommended approach to teach “Vedanta” to the children?
The knowledge of “I” gives enormous peace, but how to live life in the light of this knowledge? How is it relevant in the struggle of life?
What kind of tools be needed to lessen the guilt that felt if can’t serve your close people in the way it should be?
How do you avoid pride in the path of Advaita?
a) How can we approach everyday activities at various stages of our life
b) How do we carry on the daily activities of life without stress, without strain?
a) Involuntary thoughts are mostly negative and bad. How do we uproot them?
a) Is it true that householders should not chant only ""Om,"" but instead use
b) Could ""namakam"" and ""chamakam"" (Vedic mantras) be used as
How does one make the mind one-pointed?
What is the purpose of life? Why the game of life?
When is a person ready for spiritual life?
Can art lead us to reality?"
(a) How does one select a path to follow? (b) How to recognize a Guru?
What is my duty in life?
Performing duties of life drains my energy and yet I don't feel that I am growing, spiritually. How to make spiritual progress, even while performing my duties?
I am often faced with people who misunderstand me because I am a spiritual seeker & indulge in spiritual practices. What should I do?
I experience compassion for some people, and no compassion for others. So, should I wait for grace, or should I keep working at it?
How do I prioritize my time & energy to make spiritual progress, as much as I excel at my work?
How to provide sufficiently strong arguments to mind, to counter distractions, provocations - such as greed, lust, etc. in order to attain perfect chastity in thought, word & deed?
With advent of artificial intelligence, there have been changes in the job market where youngsters are finding it more and more difficult. What will life look like 50 years from now?
Is it ok to pray to God to satisfy our desires?
What is the purpose of professional ambition and duty?
How do you overcome sorrow that comes from seeing the suffering of others?
How can one get rid of unwanted vasanas (desires)?
Can art lead us to the infinite? What is the nature of abhyasa? What is the nature of vairagya?
When a spiritual seeker becomes stuck, is a guru necessary?
If we want to take up a life of renunciation, what practices should be followed?
How do I know if I am progressing spiritually? How can one recognize an enlightened being?
What hope is there for an ordinary householder in achieving realization?
How can we keep children involved with spiritual concepts?
How can we resolve the conflict between our spiritual journey and responsibilities in daily life?
What is my swadharma?
How can I turn intellectual realization into a living reality?
How can we develop detachment from material pursuits?
[Part 1] How do we know if we are progressing in spiritual life?
[Part 2] How can an enlightened person be recognized?
[Part 3] What are some practical suggestions for practicing pratyahara (withdrawal from the external world)?
What does Vedanta say about justice in society?
Why is private spirituality not spirituality?
I am in school and have lost interest in studies. I would rather seek the spiritual truths. What are my options?
I was brought up in a christian tradition but have become interested in Vedanta. Is is possible for a person to be pulled into Vedanta by no conscious effort?
If we have family, friends, and relationships can we also reach enlightenment? Can we have both?
Can we not measure in a quantitative way how much we understand?
How to manifest the knowledge of Advaita?
Does suffering bring us closer to spirituality? Can people who are mentally week resort to spirituality as an escape route?
If I do not “exist”, how do I approach the demands of the world.
How is it possible to attain God while living in the world? How do I choose a guru? Is enlightenment possible without mantra diksha?
Distinguishing between vairagya (dispassion) and tamas (darkness). How to practice non-injury but still protect ourself?
How to overcome the fear of unknown and revel in the silence.
Should we trust our own insights?
How can one remember their past lives?
How can I apply Vedanta to family life?
How can one be aware of ones desires bubbling up in the mind?
How to introduce the concept of Atman to children?
How can I establish my goals in life?
How do we contemplate and approach the topic of death?
How can I be aware of my true nature at all times?
Controlling the mind and turning it towards God.
Need of a Guru and spiritual initiation (Mantra Diksha).
How can I determine the spiritual practices in accordance to my temperamental tendency in the day to day life? What are the suggestions proposed by Shree Ramakrishna and the Swamis of Ramakrishna order for the householders in connection to the spiritual growth and God realization?
How do you think about Kriya-Yoga? Would you recommend practicing this?
What is the recommended approach to teach “Vedanta” to the children?
The knowledge of “I” gives enormous peace, but how to live life in the light of this knowledge? How is it relevant in the struggle of life?
What kind of tools be needed to lessen the guilt that felt if can’t serve your close people in the way it should be?
How do you avoid pride in the path of Advaita?
a) How can we approach everyday activities at various stages of our life
b) How do we carry on the daily activities of life without stress, without strain?
a) Involuntary thoughts are mostly negative and bad. How do we uproot them?
a) Is it true that householders should not chant only ""Om,"" but instead use
b) Could ""namakam"" and ""chamakam"" (Vedic mantras) be used as
How does one make the mind one-pointed?
What is the purpose of life? Why the game of life?
When is a person ready for spiritual life?
Can art lead us to reality?"
(a) How does one select a path to follow? (b) How to recognize a Guru?
What is my duty in life?
Performing duties of life drains my energy and yet I don't feel that I am growing, spiritually. How to make spiritual progress, even while performing my duties?
I am often faced with people who misunderstand me because I am a spiritual seeker & indulge in spiritual practices. What should I do?
I experience compassion for some people, and no compassion for others. So, should I wait for grace, or should I keep working at it?
How do I prioritize my time & energy to make spiritual progress, as much as I excel at my work?
How to provide sufficiently strong arguments to mind, to counter distractions, provocations - such as greed, lust, etc. in order to attain perfect chastity in thought, word & deed?
With advent of artificial intelligence, there have been changes in the job market where youngsters are finding it more and more difficult. What will life look like 50 years from now?
In our waking state, is there a way to find the unity of pure consciousness?
Isn't consciousness interrupted in deep sleep?
How can we be sure that this waking world does not occur in our mind like a dream?
Where is my consciousness when I am sleeping? Can I use sleep as a spiritual practice?
My dream borrows material from my waking experience. Where does my waking reality borrow material from?
How can deep sleep be an experience?
How can we say there is consciousness in deep sleep?
While we agree that waking, dreaming, and deep sleep are experienced in consciousness, why can't we say that they are real instead of unreal since they are indeed experienced?
What is the exact meaning/significance of ""Om"" in relation to the Mandukya
a) Could the Blissful experience of sleep be due to sleep related hormones
a) In deep sleep, is the Bliss we experience the ""Ananda"" of ""Sat-Chit-
b) Unconsciousness seems to be different from deep sleep, because it seems
c) So is it that the happiness of deep sleep is due to serotonin and/or other
In my dreams do I get the result of my actions or something else?
How do I get up and say that I slept peacefully and didn’t know anything? Here the active mind trying to recall the inactive mind, how did that happen?
Who is looking out to the body, what is the ground of existence of it and how the digestion, breathing & other physiological activities are done in deep sleep?
In Vedanta, all that we experience are objects for consciousness. Even the sense of 'I' is an object, but it disappears in deep sleep. So, "I", who am not there in deep sleep, claim that 'I slept' - when I wake up. How do you reconcile this?
(a) Is there any reality in the dream state? (b) My method of meditation keeps on changing because of so many methods I get to learn about; what should I do?
Isn't consciousness interrupted in deep sleep?
How can we be sure that this waking world does not occur in our mind like a dream?
Where is my consciousness when I am sleeping? Can I use sleep as a spiritual practice?
My dream borrows material from my waking experience. Where does my waking reality borrow material from?
How can deep sleep be an experience?
How can we say there is consciousness in deep sleep?
While we agree that waking, dreaming, and deep sleep are experienced in consciousness, why can't we say that they are real instead of unreal since they are indeed experienced?
What is the exact meaning/significance of ""Om"" in relation to the Mandukya
a) Could the Blissful experience of sleep be due to sleep related hormones
a) In deep sleep, is the Bliss we experience the ""Ananda"" of ""Sat-Chit-
b) Unconsciousness seems to be different from deep sleep, because it seems
c) So is it that the happiness of deep sleep is due to serotonin and/or other
In my dreams do I get the result of my actions or something else?
How do I get up and say that I slept peacefully and didn’t know anything? Here the active mind trying to recall the inactive mind, how did that happen?
Who is looking out to the body, what is the ground of existence of it and how the digestion, breathing & other physiological activities are done in deep sleep?
In Vedanta, all that we experience are objects for consciousness. Even the sense of 'I' is an object, but it disappears in deep sleep. So, "I", who am not there in deep sleep, claim that 'I slept' - when I wake up. How do you reconcile this?
(a) Is there any reality in the dream state? (b) My method of meditation keeps on changing because of so many methods I get to learn about; what should I do?
How does the concept of dependent origination map into Advaitic concepts?
If Buddhism believes in reincarnation, why not the Atman?
What does Sri Ramakrishna mean by going into the black water (in reference to samadhi)?
In the Gospel, Sri Ramakrishna says to "dive deep". What does this mean?
What does Sri Ramakrishna mean when he tells Naren "He who was Rama and he who was Krishna was born again as Ramakrishna, but not in your Vedantic sense"?
Where does Sri Ramakrishna stand in the triad of Iswara, Jiva, and Jagat?
Why does the Quran say that Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet?
What is Vedanta's approach to the Anatman of Buddhism?
If the realization of atman is an experiential reality, then why is there a logical conflict between different spiritual traditions? Does it mean that the realized master's have different experiences?
Can you say more about the differences between Buddhist teaching and Vedanta teaching?
Is Ramakrishna a 'Shankara Advaitin'?
How does Consciousness arise in form from Shunya in Buddhist view?
If Buddhism believes in reincarnation, why not the Atman?
What does Sri Ramakrishna mean by going into the black water (in reference to samadhi)?
In the Gospel, Sri Ramakrishna says to "dive deep". What does this mean?
What does Sri Ramakrishna mean when he tells Naren "He who was Rama and he who was Krishna was born again as Ramakrishna, but not in your Vedantic sense"?
Where does Sri Ramakrishna stand in the triad of Iswara, Jiva, and Jagat?
Why does the Quran say that Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet?
What is Vedanta's approach to the Anatman of Buddhism?
If the realization of atman is an experiential reality, then why is there a logical conflict between different spiritual traditions? Does it mean that the realized master's have different experiences?
Can you say more about the differences between Buddhist teaching and Vedanta teaching?
Is Ramakrishna a 'Shankara Advaitin'?
How does Consciousness arise in form from Shunya in Buddhist view?