Adhyasa Explained: Why Do We Mistake the Self for the Non-Self?
INQUIRER: QUESTION 1: How Does Adhyasa (Superimposition) Happen? In the Adhyasa Bhashya, it is stated that the ‘I’ (Self) and the ‘you’ (everything else/non-Self) are of the nature of…
Satsangs (Dialogues) Between Two Devotees of Truth
Educated conversations meant to correct erroneous assumptions about Reality, God, Self and Dharma (morality)… 
Validity of Mahayana ‘Bodhisattva’ Concept
Purpose of this article is to analyze Mahayana Buddhism’s concept of bodhisattva. (Article is not referring to Zen Buddhism’s implied interpretation, which is different from Mahayana’s more literal interpretation…
Understanding the Distinction Between Self and Not-Self
INQUIRER: There was a change of perception some time ago due to decent assimilation of self-knowledge. Now need confirmation for reassurance. When one knows oneself to be Awareness (Brahman)…
Moksha Can’t Be for Atman nor the Mind. Then Who Gets Liberated?
INQUIRER: It is said, “Self-knowledge takes place in the mind, and enlightenment is for the mind.” RESPONSE: In beginning stages, Vedanta pretends that the mind is conscious because Self…
Doership Disturbs the Mind
Synopsis: Ramesh’s self-enquiry to realize the Self is unsuccessful. Two solutions are given. Starting from right standpoint, and right method. INQUIRER: Something is disturbing my mind: It feels like…
How Do I Know I am Doing My Duty? What is My Svadharma?
How do I know that I’m doing “my” sva-dharma (personal duty), and not someone else’s. How do I know it’s “mine”? ANSWER: There is relative and absolute svadharma. ABSOLUTE:…
Individual Cannot Transcend the Individual
Synopsis: The inquirer is frustrated because he’s trying to experience oneself as an unlimited entity through a limited body-mind. He (a mind’s desire) wants to get rid of the…
Self “Sees” Everything As Itself
INQUIRER: I see emotions and thoughts arising within me (Self; ātmā). I see the apparent world (including the body) appearing in me, and everything is just pure-being. There isn’t…
Connection Between Doer, Enjoyer and Self (Atma)
INQUIRER: I understand that doership is the “aham karta” (I am a doer / doership) thoughts. Thoughts like: “I am doing the writing of this message. I am doing…
Understanding the Orders of Reality
INQUIRER: Need help reconciling various experiences that seem to be happening within my scope. Experience A: There is a world of objects and people. I am a body-mind endowed…
Is Attainment of Self-Knowledge Immediate or Gradual?
INQUIRER: I desire to know when self-knowledge is “attained” (liberation, enlightenment, self-realization) — is it gradual OR an immediate event. And is it completely permanent? RESPONSE: Attainment of self-knowledge…
Role of Meditation in Vedanta
INQUIRER: I am interested to find out about your thoughts, regarding the validity and effectiveness of different meditation practices. I have personally been practicing transcendental meditation (TM) and the…
Basis for Accepting the Law of Karma / Proof?
INQUIRER: Need confirmation on the law of karma. Since it is called the law of karma – are we to assume that it was discovered as a law by…
If Self is Free, Why Purify the Jiva (Not-Self)?
INQUIRER: It seems like the only difference after enlightenment (moksha) is that thoughts of being limited no longer appear in the intellect (buddhi). Or if they do appear they’re…
Self-Realization Is a Shift in Identity
INQUIRER: I have an intellectual interest in Advaita Vedanta, with a view to finding some level of contentment with life. I know you’ll say only self-realisation will provide complete…
Ishvara’s Perspective & Videhamukti
INQUIRER: It’s said that that ‘enlightenment’ is for the jiva (which results in freedom FROM the jiva) — and not Awareness (brahman) which is already enlightened. Now when it…
Understanding Self Doesn’t Eradicate the Mind
INQUIRER: I feel, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that I can’t be Radhika (name hidden for privacy). RESPONSE: Then why the rest of the email? If you know…
Self (Atman) is Beyond the Witness
INQUIRER: Is there a stage beyond the witness? RESPONSE: If by “witness” you mean the individual person, or the ego (ahamkara), then yes, there is something beyond — which…
Bliss (Ananda) is Not An Emotional State
INQUIRER: While discriminating consciousness from objects, I felt a sense of limitlessness. I’ve seen the Satya/Mithya chart and a sense of bliss/ananda came over me I think the highest…
Thoughts and Questions on Free Will
INQUIRER: Reading Dennis Waite’s case against free will in “HOW TO MEET YOURSELF” (pg 170-174), I was struck at how similar it was to the one made roughly 80…
Taking a Stand As Awareness
INQUIRER: What does “taking a stand as Awareness” mean? RESPONSE: Taking a stand as awareness means to assume your true identity — after having been first taught nature of…
Binding vs Non-Binding Vasanas: Freedom from Likes and Dislikes
INQUIRER: About this statement, “It is important to accommodate all persons and circumstances [CH13 of Bhagavad Gita]. It is also foolish to like or dislike any person or circumstance…
Three Gunas and Three Bodies (with Visual Map)
INQUIRER: How do the 3 gunas connect with the 3 bodies (causal, subtle, and physical)? I think this answer is that the three gunas are present in each of…
Sat Chit Ananda Meaning
Inquirer: In my continued study of the Bhagavad Gita and various Upanishads, I am looking closely at sat-cit-ananda and would love some insights to this knowledge. What does it…
What I am Supposed to Do? What is My Duty (Svadharma)?
INQUIRER: It became clear to me that to be really peaceful and content, I need to be in alignment with the way things are, finding my mission. The quest…
Stay Anchored in Truth
INQUIRER: Can we possibly go back to the issue of fear, the irrational, the unwholesome fear, the one that is labeled as hindrance to spiritual growth. I was thinking…
How Do I Practice Self-Knowledge on My Own?
INQUIRER: I understand the [Vedanta] teaching, but I am not ‘finished’. I don’t seem to get it in any way that makes a difference. I am still seeking, still…
Practice Karma Yoga to Purify the Mind
INQUIRER: Thus far can we say that vasanas are likened to what is in psychology known as the sub-conscious or sometimes un-conscious, but without taking aboard previous incarnations, being…
Event of ‘Enlightenment’ Versus Self-Actualization
INQUIRER: Confusion #1: I read (elsewhere) “Don’t mistake understanding for realization”. Confusion #2: Read about people who can provide a date and time to their awakening/realization. Comment? RESPONSE: Possibility…
Who Is the Detached Observer?
INQUIRER: Question 1: Who/what is the entity that is capable of inquiring into and perceiving the apparently real instruments of “my” subtle body during waking consciousness; the detached observer…