Ongoing Courses

This class will explain the meaning of Sata Rudriya a Vedic hymn recited daily by vaidikas and seekers of freedom. Known popularly as Sri Rudram or Rudram, this hymn of praise and prayer to the Lord is part of the Krishna Yajur Veda.

Suggested reading:
Salutations to Rudra by Sheela Balaji

Mundaka Upanishad is often quoted in the traditional commentaries of different Vedanta texts because of its brilliant and comprehensive unfoldment of the teaching. It begins with a dialogue between a student, Saunaka, and his teacher, Angiras. Saunaka asks: ‘Is there anything knowing which everything is as well known?’ The teacher Angiras replies by saying yes there is one thing knowing which everything is as well known. He says that the cause of this universe (Ishvara) manifests through every form. Knowing the nature of the cause as pervading me and everything else, I can be free from every sense of limitation. The teaching of this Upanishad covers all important aspects of the teaching and helps us to understand that everything here is one, and I am one with Ishvara.

In this profound book, Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna the ultimate reality of oneself, the universe and its cause. He also shows Arjuna the means to prepare him for the knowledge through karma yoga, meditation & other shifts in attitude. This teaching makes us understand the vision of oneness. It also enables us to view life as a great opportunity to utilize our talents, skills, and contribute to the well-being of ourselves and others; and in the process, free ourselves from guilt, hurt, and fears.

Mundaka Upanishad is often quoted in the traditional commentaries of different Vedanta texts because of its brilliant and comprehensive unfoldment of the teaching. It begins with a dialogue between a student, Saunaka, and his teacher, Angiras. Saunaka asks: ‘Is there anything knowing which everything is as well known?’ The teacher Angiras replies by saying yes there is one thing knowing which everything is as well known. He says that the cause of this universe (Ishvara) manifests through every form. Knowing the nature of the cause as pervading me and everything else, I can be free from every sense of limitation. The teaching of this Upanishad covers all important aspects of the teaching and helps us to understand that everything here is one, and I am one with Ishvara.

Living the Vision of Oneness’ is authored by Neema Majmudar and Surya Tahora.
The book is organized into ten chapters:

Chapter 1 introduces in a concise manner, the overall vision of the Bhagavad Gita, which reveals how there is essentially non-difference between the cause of the universe (Ishvara) and the individual (you).

Chapter 2 elaborates on the ways to bring awareness of nature to the cause of the universe (Ishvara) in life, and its contribution towards our personal transformation.

Chapters 3 to 8 provide an overall framework based on the teaching of the Gita, which is meant to assist the reader in: Assessing and responding to situations, choice of action, management of desires, relating to people, managing changes, taking care of prior orientations that obstruct the growth process.

Chapter 9 explains the ways in which meditation and prayers help the entire process.

Chapter 10 summarizes the overall content by giving a profile of a person who has transformed oneself and assimilated this teaching in its totality.

This Upanishad contains a famous sentence, ‘Brahmavid Apnoti Param’, which means ‘the knower of Brahman (the absolute reality) gains the highest’. The rest of the text unfolds that Brahman, which is limitless, is to be understood as true nature of oneself. It goes on to explain how the entire universe has come, is sustained and resolves in Brahman. Finally, the Upanishad shows that the fulfilment gained by the knower of Brahman as self is unparalleled to any other living being on earth and beyond. The teaching is based on commentaries of Adi Shankaracharya which is known for its brilliant analysis and clarity of thought.

In this profound book, Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna the ultimate reality of oneself, the universe and its cause. He also shows Arjuna the means to prepare him for the knowledge through karma yoga, meditation & other shifts in attitude. This teaching makes us understand the vision of oneness. It also enables us to view life as a great opportunity to utilize our talents, skills, and contribute to the well-being of ourselves and others; and in the process, free ourselves from guilt, hurt, and fears.

Ce cours se base sur une sélection de versets essentiels choisis parmi différents chapitres de la Bhagavad Gita, un texte fondateur de la tradition de la non-dualité (Advaita Vedanta). La Bhagavad Gita se présente sous la forme d’un dialogue entre Arjuna, un prince guerrier en proie à des questions existentielles sur le sens de sa vie et son engagement dans l’action, et le Seigneur Krishna, son enseignant et ami.

A travers les réponses du Seigneur Krishna à Arjuna, l’enseignement de la Bhagavad Gita est également pertinent pour chacun de nous car il satisfait la quête humaine de sens et aborde la question de la maturité émotionnelle qui concerne tout être humain évolué. Le monde d’aujourd’hui, avec sa volatilité et sa complexité, requiert une sagesse qui nous permettrait de faire des choix lucides sur la direction générale que nous pouvons donner à notre vie, la manière de nous transformer intérieurement et initier notre chemin vers la liberté.

Suggested reading:

Cours d’Étude de la Bhagavad Gita, Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Traduit en français par Surya Tahora

https://www.amazon.fr/Bhagavad-Gita-Cours-d%C3%89tude/dp/B084DH57J7/

Oral prayers offered to Isvara are an integral part of the pursuit of maturity and freedom. We will learn some essential shanti mantras, starting by the ones chanted at the beginning and the end of Vedanta classes. Then some beautiful and inspiring Vedic and non-Vedic prayers, along with their meaning, which can become part of your daily routine.

The texts of the prayers in Sanskrit, with transliteration, and the English meaning will be given to you.

Meditation: Bringing Isvara in your life, growing as a person and contemplating upon realities. According to the Gita and Upanishads, meditation is not regarded as a technique but as an essential component of our pursuit of knowledge and freedom. The purpose of these guided meditation classes is to take you through the different steps of traditional Vedantic meditation, in order to give you a solid foundation for your own individual practice. It would include: Scanning the body and watching your breathing to come back to yourself; mental repetition of a mantra or japa to know the ways of your mind; develop a relationship with Isvara for emotional growth; finally contemplate on the teaching of Vedanta which reveals the oneness between Isvara and yourself.