About the Vedic Tradition and Yes Vedanta
Vedanta is a tradition sourced in Vedas of India — revealing the depth of non-dual teachings within the three major texts: Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras. Further elaborated by texts like: Adi Shankara's Vivekachudamani, Tattva Bodha, Aparokshanubhuti − and Vidyaranya's Panchadasi.
Yes Vedanta's purpose is to systematically unfold the methodology of these texts, so the student can actually arrive to the same understanding, vision or realization of the absolute reality as oneself — right here and now.
What is Vedanta?
Vedanta is not a philosophy. Not a school of thought. Not a system of beliefs which can be negated from different angles. Not a set of contentions.
It remains independent of your thoughts about it. Just how one's existence remains independent of whether one verbally acknowledge one's existence or not.
Vedanta is a systematic and structured means of knowledge which establishes absolute clarity of the whole reality as yourself. Means of knowledge means, that by which one accomplishes the ultimate end (moksha / self-realization).
More specifically, the methodology reveals the ever-present truth about yourself (jīva), universe (jagat) and Existence-Consciousness (Īśvara/Brahman). Showing you that you are that very truth right now (tat tvam asi).
Until then, ignorance causes one to seek “THE reality” as though it's separate from oneself. This motivates one to apply countless actions in hopes to discover something bigger. Which results in frustration for many because it doesn't bring about permanent contentment, but temporary reliefs.
It's like a wooden chair doing different meditation techniques for years – hoping to discover the wood which it considers the ultimate Reality. In truth, the chair is always only the wood.
Similarly, a sincere seeker of truth will never become the sought – because the seeker is actually the sought right now. It's a matter of discovering how this is so. And this is what Vedanta serves to resolve once and for all.
Yes Vedanta
Yes Vedanta teaches Advaita Vedanta and Sanskrit.
We are not an institution, nor a business, nor donation-dependent. All classes are free. Teacher is financially self-supported.
No race, gender, religion or nationality is excluded. Only your sincerity, regular attendance and attention is required.
Reason for the name: Word “Vedānta” refers to final knowledge of the Vedas whose subject matter is one's limitless Nature (Absolute Truth; Brahman). Hence Yes Vedanta reminds devotee to say “Yes” to that which matters most.
Teaching Lineage of Yes Vedanta
Teaching and language usage is based on Swami Dayananda (Arsha Vidya) lineage, most prominently Swami Paramarthananda. There is also strong influence of Chinmaya International Foundation (Kerala), specifically Swami Advayananda.
Other personal teachers studied from…
First introduction into traditional Indian non-duality methodology was through James Swartz. His contribution Westerners (outside Indian) is restoring purity of traditional unspoiled Advaita Vedanta and emphasizing the importance of staying within boundaries of an unbroken lineage.
Neema Majmudar excels in applying the Vedic wisdom into modern down-to-earth practical living. Her strength is a fine balance between intellectual need to firmly grasp, and the emotional need to “feel” the knowledge in one's life.
About Acharya Andre (teacher of Indian non-duality & Sanskrit)
“Shortly after achieving financial freedom by early twenties, an unsettling inquiry grew pertaining to impermanence of financial security, friendship, world exploration and self-help. “How will more make more difference and to whom?” became the mind's protest. Nature of questions eventually shifted to subject ‘I', preceding even the questioner. One day an urge compelled to visit Arunachala to pay respect to Ramana Maharshi. Nearby was a 25 day program expounding the essence of Bhagavad Gita by James Swartz. After completion, I committed for next 1 year to self-inquire in light of the teachings, by mere faith, despite having no proof that Vedic authority was superior to alternative methodologies. Understanding grew firm and lucid of the glorious intelligent web that connects you and I, that guides us right now, the essence of all-that-is. Vision was further elucidated through brilliant courses at Chinmaya International Foundation (Kerala, India) for next 2 years. Simultaneously meeting Neema Majmudar (of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Arsha Vidya) in Rishikesh – her style meticulously expounded the vision of Reality and meaning of not-two (advaita). Besides teaching Vedic knowledge and Sanskrit (studied 2 years at Australian National University) — my passions are cosmology, biology, programming and Western/Indian philosophy.”
Is reality ascertained immediately or gradually?
Clarity of anything doesn't occur instantaneously. Do you get a promotion in company overnight OR it's result of years of prior hard work on your part?
Even after the promotion, one's refinement as a manager has just begun.
Nature has it's own rhythm. And your mind, the one that ascertains the Total, is not apart from the rhythmic order.
One season skipped, the food chain collapses.
One distasteful thought pushed under the carpet of the mind, and it helplessly lights up in our personality.
Inherent laws can't be broken, nor anything hidden. Where will it go? One can show a composed-self to world, but inside the true state murmurs.
For this reason, ongoing self-enquiry and continued study of Vedic scriptures is necessary to clean up past distortions.
An unfit mind resists hard work. Perhaps because we're shown, “Buddha sitting under a shady tree who attained Enlightenment in one extended sitting session“.
Matter of fact, his or any jnani's sitting is symbolic of immense prior effort and burning desire for Truth.
Thus maturity and mind-purification takes years. No cheating.
Even after gaining self-knowledge from guru and assimilating through passage of time — dissatisfaction still blossoms from past love-issues and lifetimes of impressions.
This way, one's spiritual work isn't over until last breath.
uttiṣṭhata. jāgrata. prāpya varān nibodhata
“Arise! Awaken! And Realize the Truth!”
– Kaṭhopanisad 1.3.14
Some course participations:
