This is the Q&A from after the talk sponsored by the Hindu Council of Australia in cooperation with the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga.

The question was whether there is a distinction between Dharma and Sanatana Dharma? Acharya das concludes this Q&A session with the clarification that Sanatana Dharma is eternal and represents the soul's nature fully expressed in the spiritual dimension, and self-realization is accessible to everyone, as it is the uncovering of their eternal nature rather than being reserved for special individuals.

The discussion covers sadhana (spiritual practice) as the means to attain spiritual goals, with meditation on spiritual sounds as the foundational practice. The teacher uses the analogy of fog being burned away by sunlight to describe how regular spiritual practice gradually reveals spiritual clarity and identity. Key components include meditation/chanting, cultivation of yoga wisdom (atma jnana), and spiritual association (sangha).

Acharya das also addresses the transformation from ego-centered consciousness to God-centered consciousness, describing the journey from seeing oneself as the central enjoying agent to becoming an eternal servant of God.

Chapters

00:00:00 Audience member sharing their understanding of Dharma

00:02:59 Progressive Nature of Vedic Dharma and Spiritual Advancement ‎

00:06:53 Sadhana: The Practical Path to Self-Realization ‎

00:10:37 Essential Elements of Spiritual Practice‎

00:14:04 Transformation from Ego-Centered to God-Centered Consciousness ‎

00:16:38 The Journey from Self-Centeredness to Selflessness ‎

00:20:30 Practical Spiritual Living and Modern Challenges ‎

00:23:31 Developing Consciousness and Introspection ‎

00:27:41 Emotional Regulation and Practical Wisdom ‎

00:29:27 The Eternal Nature of Sanatana Dharma ‎

00:31:37 Universal Accessibility of Self-Realization ‎

00:32:33 Concluding with Transcendental Sound Practice

This talk is from an event sponsored by the Hindu Council of Australia in cooperation with the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga.

The question was whether there is a distinction between Dharma and Sanatana Dharma? Acharya das explained that while Dharma has conventional definitions including customary religious observance, prescribed conduct, duty, religion, and good works, it has a deeper meaning as an intrinsic characteristic that makes something what it is - something that cannot be removed without changing the fundamental nature of that thing. He provided examples of heat and light being the dharma of fire, sweetness being the dharma of sugar, and liquidity being the dharma of water.

Sanatana as meaning eternal, perpetual, permanent, everlasting, and primeval, distinguishing Sanatana Dharma from conventional religion by explaining that it deals with the eternal nature of the living being or spirit soul (atma). Acharya das distinguished Sanatana Dharma as dealing with the eternal nature of the living being or soul (atma), referencing Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's teachings that Sanatana Dharma refers to activities that cannot be changed and represents the eternal function of living entities in relationship with the Supreme Lord. The lecturer addressed the apparent contradiction in the Bhagavad Gita where Krishna instructs Arjuna to abandon all varieties of dharma and surrender unto Him, explaining that this refers to abandoning temporary religious duties to embrace one's eternal spiritual nature.

Acharya das proposed that true self-realization requires understanding the three aspects of the self/soul: one's essence (being Brahman while maintaining distinction from Paramatma), one's position (equal to all living beings but subservient to the Supreme Being), and one's natural function (to love and to serve.)

He concluded that bhakti - rendering eternal loving service to the Lord - is the natural function of the living being and the true definition of Sanatana Dharma.

Quotes used in the talk:

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear. - Bhagavad-gītā 18.66

Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens. - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.107

By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one dissolves his entanglement in material activities. After this, one becomes very attracted to Krishna, and thus dormant love for Krishna is awakened. - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 15.109

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Dharma vs Sanatana Dharma ‎

00:05:50 Deeper Understanding of Dharma ‎

‎00:06:28 Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Teachings on Sanatana Dharma

00:08:31 The Bhagavad Gita's Apparent Contradiction ‎

00:12:17 Arjuna's Dilemma and Krishna's First Instruction ‎

00:15:35 The Nature of the Eternal Soul ‎

00:17:48 Varieties of Dharma in the Bhagavad Gita ‎

00:22:06 The Temporary Nature of Vanashram Dharma ‎

00:25:31 Self-Realization and the Three Essential Questions ‎

00:29:46 The Position and Relationship of the Soul ‎

00:31:09 The Natural Function and Characteristics of the Soul ‎

00:35:10 Service as the Soul's Natural Expression ‎

00:38:27 Bhakti as Sanatana Dharma‎

00:41:10 The Awakening of Dormant Love ‎

00:43:22 Free Will and Universal Brotherhood ‎

00:46:04 Conclusion and the Power of Chanting

In this talk, Acharya das explores the concept of Christmas from a yogic perspective. He begins by examining what Christmas means in contemporary society versus its original spiritual significance.

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (Yeshua), known as Christ or Messiah, which means "the anointed one" and Acharya das discusses how yogis from the Vedic tradition would view and celebrate such a sacred day, emphasizing that they would honor any spiritual personality bringing enlightenment to mankind, regardless of tradition.

The talk delves into Jesus's core teachings about loving God with one's entire being and loving others as oneself, contrasting spiritual consciousness with material consciousness. He also highlights Jesus's teachings on detachment from worldly possessions and worries, drawing parallels with yogic concepts like an atmarama, or self-satisfied transcendentalist. Throughout the talk, Acharya das critiques modern materialism and consumerism, offering that Jesus's message was fundamentally about spiritual transformation as opposed to worldly pursuits. The talk concludes with reflections on how spiritual growth can bring an experience of true fulfillment which the materialistic lifestyle cannot.

“Selling the Lie” means to deceive or cheat or to create the ‘illusion of truth’. The advertising industry has perfected this rather dark art, using it for the past 100 years, and then “spin doctors” (public relations professionals) of the 70s taught Politicians how to use this form of deception and it was quickly embraced.

Now it has become so pervasive in common that people speak of “your truth” and “my truth” as if there can actually be different “truths”. This is having a catastrophic effect on society and on the individual, which can only further deepen the current mental health calamity. If we cannot accept that there is really an objective reality and think instead that we can (with our imagination) “create” our own truth, then we really are in crisis.

The 20thcentury saw the transformation of the population and societal values, in the developed world, that would have been considered unthinkable for thousands of years prior to this. The importance of the individual over society (increased self-centeredness), consumerism, instant gratification, and the notion that everything is disposable, have completely changed society and its institutions.

While the scale of the breakdown of family is known, we have been slow to recognize its destructive implications on the wider society. For many the meaning and purpose of marriage has been utterly transformed into something unrecognizable by older cultures and societies.

Some of the quotes I used:

in the early 1920’s Paul Mazur of Lehman Brothers wrote - "We must shift America from a needs, to a desires culture, people must be trained to desire, to want new things even before the old had been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality in America. Man's desires must overshadow his needs."

In 1927 an American journalist wrote: "A change has come over our democracy, it is called consumptionism. The American citizens first importance to his country is now no longer that of citizen, but that of consumer.

Adam Curtis ,the writer and producer of the BBC documentary series – The Century of the Self, makes an important point describing this documentary as “the story of the rise of an idea that has come to dominate our society. It is the belief that satisfaction of individual feelings and desires is our highest priority.”

Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to material senses, mind and intelligence, one should control the lower self by the higher self and thus-by spiritual strength-conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust. - Bhagavad-gita 3.43

In recent years the term “safe space” has been utilized by young people at tertiary level educational institutions to demand they be free from hearing political and social debate that they disagree with. Some find this view exceedingly immature and unrealistic because we live as part of a society with differing world-views and to force upon everyone a monolithic view would be oppressive and totalitarian.

However, this desire, at its heart, is spiritual in nature. In this talk we explore the spiritual principle of “taking shelter”, real shelter and false shelter.

One of the quotes I used comes from Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:

This world of maya is called durasraya, which means “false or bad shelter.” One who puts his faith in durasraya becomes a candidate for hoping against hope. In the material world everyone is trying to become happy, and although their material attempts are baffled in every way, due to their nescience they cannot understand their mistakes. People try to rectify one mistake by making another mistake. This is the way of the struggle for existence in the material world. If one in this condition is advised to take to the path of self-realization and be happy, he does not accept such instructions.

Many people think that freedom means my absolute and unobstructed freedom to choose to do anything I may wish. That my wishes and desires must ideally reign supreme over everything else. And society must bend to my wishes/desires, which are treated as sacred. But this is immature and even dangerous thinking.

The ancient sages in yogis taught that this was a false idea. I can be freely making choices but simultaneously I will be accountable for my actions. I will have to pay the karmic price and be forced to eat the fruit, both the sweet and the bitter results that arise from my actions. That is not real freedom.

The texts I quote in this talk:

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires -- that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still -- can alone achieve peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy such desires. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.70

I, the infinitesimal spirit soul, on the other hand, have embraced this mind, which is the mirror reflecting the image of the material world. Thus I have become engaged in enjoying objects of desire and am entangled due to contact with the modes of nature. -  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.23.44

Today you have opened our eyes and revealed how to cross to the other side of the ocean of darkness. By our past deeds and by the arrangement of superior authority, we are entangled in a network of fruitive activities and have lost sight of the destination of life; thus we have been wandering within the universe. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.21.51

Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is a yogī and is happy in this world. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.23

Although a self-realized soul may live in various material bodies while in this world, experiencing their various qualities and functions, he is never entangled, just as the wind which carries various aromas does not actually mix with them. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.7.41

If someone is ignorant and addicted to the path of samsara, how can one who is actually learned, merciful and advanced in spiritual knowledge engage him in fruitive activity and thus further entangle him in material existence? If a blind man is walking down the wrong path, how can a gentleman allow him to continue on his way to danger? How can he approve this method? No wise or kind man can allow this. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.5.17

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.22

We have probably all heard the saying “You are what you eat”. This meant that the food one eats has a bearing on one's state of mind and health.

In tonight’s talk “You are what you Tweet”, I’m suggesting that our mental health (at least to some degree) but more importantly our spiritual health can be diagnosed by our social media habits – what we Tweet.

Yogic teachings state that we will be deeply influenced by our speech and thoughts. It will affect our consciousness and therefore prescribe exercising both restraint and caution in communicating as our speech will either be liberating or it will lead to harm.

Some of the Vedic texts I quoted:

Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly. - Bhagavad-gītā 17:15

And serenity, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purity of thought are the austerities of the mind. - Bhagavad-gītā 17:15

“The niyamas (observances) are internal and external purity, contentment, acceptance of austerity, the recitation of sacred mantras and study of Vedic texts, and complete devotion and surrender to God.” – Yoga-sūtra 2.32

“....Truthfulness means to speak the truth in a pleasing way, as declared by great sages.” – Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.19.38

The need for a friend runs deep. We desire companionship, someone to share life’s experiences with, some level of support, someone you can trust.  But many of us are unaware that this need is driven by something deeply spiritual.

This need has become vulnerable to exploitation with the rise of so-called “AI Companions.” In this talk, we explore these issues.

Two of the verses I quote in this talk:

Although the two birds are in the same tree, the eating bird is fully engrossed with anxiety and moroseness as the enjoyer of the fruits of the tree. But if in some way or other he turns his face to his friend who is the Lord and knows His glories — at once the suffering bird becomes free from all anxieties. — Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.1.2

Everyone believes in the illusory concept of the body as being the self, and all are thus submerged in the darkness of illusion. They are actually unable to understand how You live in every living entity as the Lord within the heart (Paramātmā), nor can they understand Your absolute position. But You are the eternal friend and protector of all surrendered souls. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.7.30

In this talk, we delve into a famous African billionaire's quest for happiness and where he found it. We also examine how acts that reflect or are connected to our inner spiritual nature, allow us to receive a glimpse into our true spiritual self, the eternal spiritual being residing within the material body.

Some of the texts I quoted:

As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature's modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then a person is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. Bhāgavata Purāṇa1.2.19

Thus the self-controlled yogi, constantly engaged in yoga practice, becomes free from all material contamination and achieves the highest stage of perfect happiness in transcendental loving service to the Lord. Bhagavad-gītā 6.28

Dhruva Maharaja – Because of my state of complete foolishness and paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal service, I wanted material name, fame and prosperity. My case is just like that of the poor man who, when he satisfied a great emperor who wanted to give him anything he might ask, out of ignorance asked only a few broken grains of husked rice. Bhāgavata Purāṇa4.9.35

I am such a fool that I have given up the service of that person who, being eternally situated within my heart, is actually most dear to me. That most dear one is the Lord of the universe, who is the bestower of real love and happiness and the source of all prosperity. Although He is in my own heart, I have completely neglected Him. Instead I have ignorantly served insignificant men who can never satisfy my real desires and who have simply brought me unhappiness, fear, anxiety, lamentation and illusion. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.8.31

"‘It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words. By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions which will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and the next.'  Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta - Ādi-līlā 9.42-43

Pure loving (devotional) service to the Lord is so sublime that one can very easily forget the happiness derived from material enjoyment, material liberation and mystic or yogic perfection. Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta - Madhya-līlā 24.39

There is a general lack of clarity as to what enlightenment is. Some people think it happens in the mind, but it is not an activity of the mind, it means transcending the mind and experiencing that which is beyond the mind.

The very word “Enlightenment” speaks to moving “From darkness to light”. And what is that great darkness? 1) seeing the body as the self; 2) seeing this world as my home; 3) thinking that the stimulation of the body’s senses is actual happiness. There is more but these are fundamental to enlightenment. I have done another series on this topic – “From Darkness to Light” - just do a quick search for it (#202, 203, 204). Same for another talk I reference about the nature of illusion #199 The Great Illusion - Maya

The Vedic/yogic texts I quoted are as follows:

.... I, the infinitesimal spirit soul, on the other hand, have embraced this mind, which is the mirror reflecting the image of the material world. Thus I have become engaged in enjoying objects of desire and am entangled due to contact with the modes of nature. – Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.23.44

The path of avidyā, or advancement of material knowledge for sense gratification, is the path of repeated birth and death. As he exists spiritually, the living entity has no birth or death. Birth and death apply to the outward covering of the spirit soul, the body. Death is compared to the taking off and birth to the putting on of outward garments. Foolish human beings who are grossly absorbed in the culture of avidyā, nescience, do not mind this cruel process. Enamored with the beauty of the illusory energy, they undergo the same miseries repeatedly and do not learn any lessons from the laws of nature. – AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

When, however, one is enlightened with the knowledge by which nescience is destroyed, then his knowledge reveals everything, as the sun lights up everything in the daytime. –  Bhagavata-gītā 5.16

One who is enlightened in self-realization, although living within the material body, sees himself as transcendental to the body, just as one who has arisen from a dream gives up identification with the dream body. A foolish person, however, although not identical with his material body but transcendental to it, thinks himself to be situated in the body, just as one who is dreaming sees himself as situated in an imaginary body.  –  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.11.8

If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory. –  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.3.34

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the self-effulgent Supreme Soul, who is the witness in everyone’s heart, who enlightens the individual soul and who cannot be reached by exercises of the mind, words or consciousness. –  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.3.10

The influence of material nature cannot harm an enlightened soul, even though he engages in material activities, because he knows the truth of the Absolute, and his mind is fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. –  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.27.26

For this reason the enlightened person should endeavor only for the minimum necessities of life while in the world of names. He should be intelligently fixed and never endeavor for unwanted things, being competent to perceive practically that all such endeavors are merely hard labor for nothing.  –  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 2.2.3

Last week in the 1st talk on this topic I didn’t have enough time to present some historical examples of how some societies embraced this principle of Simple Living and High Thinking.

Drawing on examples from the ancient Vedic society and also early Christian Orthodox practices from Eastern Europe, there are clear illustrations we can get inspiration from to find areas in our lives to apply some of these underlying principles in our current times.

We are living in a fast-paced technological world where we are being served “information” at an extraordinary rate, at which we cannot possibly keep up with.

Things have become so complex (complicated living) and there is a massive reduction in people’s attention spans and an over-emphasis on trivial and unimportant things like your hair and wardrobe for example (try living like the billions of poor and underfed on the planet and see how important how you “look” is to them), resulting in the truly dumbing-down of the wider population (low thinking).

This is utterly alienating people from each other and the world, leading to purposelessness, isolation, and deep unhappiness.

The British historian, Arnold Toynbee, stated in an article back in 1972:

"The cause of the world's malady is spiritual. We are suffering from having sold our souls to the pursuit of an objective which is both spiritually wrong and practically unobtainable. We have to reconsider our objective and change it. And until we do this, we shall not have peace, either amongst ourselves or within each of us."

Adopting the motto of my spiritual teacher, “Simple Living and High Thinking”, would reverse this trend and actually solve many of our problems.

The other talk I mentioned in this talk is “The FALSE Me - The REAL Me” which can be viewed here – https://anchor.fm/acharya-das/episodes/198-The-FALSE-Me---The-REAL-Me-e1gk17g

In this final lecture of the "Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita" series, Acharya das explores the concept of "the yoga of love" or bhakti yoga. He explains that bhakti yoga represents both a spiritual practice and the ultimate goal of all yoga practices.

In considering this subject it is important to distinguish between material conceptions of love, which are often self-centered, and true spiritual love, which is characterized by selflessness and devotion to the Supreme Soul. Acharya das emphasizes that bhakti is not merely a supplementary practice but the culmination of all spiritual paths, representing the natural function of the spirit soul in its pure state. The talk highlights the intimate, reciprocal relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul, describing it as a bond of "eternal kinship."

Links to two other talks mentioned in this talk:

Is it Love or Lust - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XVCggkxHZtkbQCJjlYN36?si=LRmjvduRQsqaV0iiDsQVug

Yoga of the Bhagavad-gita - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Q2YFvbXyh1eHyDqio6P9o?si=ckdKNW38RSCPrEaZ8Qe5CA

Verses quoted in this talk:

The same jīva is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning joined to the Supreme Lord by the tie of an eternal kinship. - Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.21

And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service[bhakti-yoga], is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.47

My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding. - Bhagavad-gītā 11.54

The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not know anyone else but them. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.4.68

I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.29

O son of Kuntī, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.27

If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.26

Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.14

But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form-to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.22

To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 10.10

Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance. - Bhagavad-gītā 10.11

Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. - Bhagavad-gītā 18.65

He who follows this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engages himself with faith, making Me the supreme goal, is very, very dear to Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.20

These were still some unanswered questions which I was asked at the recently concluded retreat, so I will attempt to answer them here.

The list of questions were:

02:27 Could you please give us a definition of the word “spiritual”, as you have mentioned trees/nature is not spiritual, but they do contain life force and for many people that is the same life force or “spirit” that we experience as humans.

10:31 What are your thoughts on movement and good nutrition being linked to our ability to connect deeper to our spiritual nature? If we eat crap does impact this connection?

16:09 What is the most important thing I can do in my life to develop spiritually?

18:14 How to find purpose?

23:50 A friend of mine said to me; “Where do we get our thoughts from?” “It’s the key to cultivating other things.” What do you think?

32:11 What is the purpose of romantic relationships/partnerships?

38:10 How do we move from complete self-centeredness/selfishness into greater selflessness whilst maintaining balance and having healthy boundaries?

42:35 Do you believe we are reincarnated? If so can you explain more. When we go after we die? (Some links to a more in depth look at this subject. – “The Ins and Outs of Reincarnation”- https://anchor.fm/acharya-das/episodes/182-Reincarnation--the-Ins-and-the-Outs-e1gju35  “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”- https://anchor.fm/acharya-das/episodes/150-Why-Do-Bad-Things-Happen-to-Good-People-e1giggf   “Purpose, Reincarnation, and Suffering - an online Q&A session.” - https://anchor.fm/acharya-das/episodes/177-Purpose--Reincarnation--and-Suffering---an-online-QA-session-e1gjsmn

45:23 Our current society is grooming us to be more isolated. How do we encourage unity every day?

48:02 I really want to change my heart but I don’t have the strength and I don’t know how?

This talk has its origins in the last talk I posted where we discussed the three categories of things that “happen” to us – LINK 

It resulted in a number of questions about how much control we have over our life. This is the subject of this talk.

I have had some requests to upload a talk from last Sunday's Mantra Night. I was reflecting on my life and some of the lessons I've learned.

I was asked to speak about the recent school shooting at Uvalde, Texas, where 17 children and two teachers died. It is extremely difficult to comprehend how someone could do this, and so the question I was asked is why?

People generally want to look for easy answers, but it is a difficult subject. While sensible gun controls may help, this may not be the “solution”.

Research shows that K-12 students who engaged in mass shootings were found to be suicidal in 92% of instances and college/university students who engaged in mass shootings were suicidal 100% of the time.

Aggression, social rejection, narcissism, fame-seeking, low self-esteem, and depression are commonalities with mass killers, specifically mass shooters. Also Identification or idolizing antisocial fictional characters is also a common behavior within these types of offenders.

Among the 25 most-cited school shooters since Columbine, 75 percent were reared in broken homes. Psychologist Dr. Peter Langman, a pre-eminent expert on school shooters, found that most came from incredibly broken homes of not just divorce and separation, but also infidelity, substance abuse, criminal behavior, domestic violence, and child abuse.

These are issues which could be addressed by fostering a more spiritual outlook on life along with promoting the qualities of compassion, kindness, resilience, etc.

Yuval Noah Harari - Israeli intellectual and author - at the World Economic Forum stated:

“The most important thing to know about the future is that humans will soon be hackable animals, animals that can be hacked. There is a lot of talk these days about hacking computers and email accounts and smartphones and bank accounts, but we're actually entering the era in which it will be possible to hack human beings.”

Humans cannot be hacked the same way computers are hacked, but we can be manipulated, brain-washed, and mentally enslaved – this after all is what Social Media and big tech are seeking to do.

Harari went on to say “….You will not be able to hide from amazon, or from the secret police, or from coca-cola, as you surf the web or watch YouTube, or just walk down the street. The algorithms will be discreetly monitoring you and hacking you in the service of the government or a corporation or some organization. Maybe you still don't know that you're gay, but coca-cola already knows it, so next time they show you an advertisement they choose to use the version with the shirtless guy, and not the version with the girl in the bikini. And next day when you go to the shop you choose to buy coke and not pepsi and you don't even know why you think you did it from your free will.”

A very important subject. And what is the “yogic” perspective?

The Sanskrit word Sādhana has a number of meanings but is most often used as “the means by which we can achieve the goal of life.”

It speaks to the spiritual process of cultivating a “spiritual life” and the importance of developing a regular practice.

After looking at the more ancient practice of Sādhana outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga-sutra I summarized what a personal practice could look like considering the following essential components.

• · Immersion in that which is transcendental (the regular meditation upon spiritual sound)
• · Hearing from spiritual authority
• · Making your life a life of spiritual service
• · The cultivation of “theistic conduct” - Practice gratitude, patience/tolerance, humility, kindness

Start with following a guided meditation daily. There are links below to some learning and guided meditations you can use to build a daily practice or Sādhana.

Some of the quotes I used:

When impurities are destroyed by practicing the eight limbs of yoga, enlightenment dawns, culminating in full knowledge of the self/atma. Yoga Sūtra 2.28

Control of the senses (yama), observance of rules (niyama), bodily postures (asana), regulation of the breath (pranayama), the withdrawal of the mind from sense objects (pratyahara), focusing the mind on a chosen object (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and complete absorption in trance (samadhi) are the eight limbs of yoga. Yoga Sūtra 2.29

Non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, celibacy and freedom from possessiveness make up the yamas. Yoga Sūtra 2.30

These laws are universal and must be practiced without consideration of time, place, birth or circumstances. Together they constitute the "great vow" of life. Yoga Sūtra 2.31

The niyamas (observances) are internal and external purity, contentment, acceptance of austerity, the recitation of sacred mantras and study of Vedic texts, and complete devotion and surrender to God. Yoga Sūtra 2.32

The highest state of spiritual devotion/realization is attained by slow degrees by the method of constant endeavor for self-realization with the help of scriptural evidence, theistic conduct and perseverance in practice. - Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.59

Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform -- do that, O son of Kuntī, as an offering to Me. – Bhagavad-gītā 9.27

Playlist of guided meditations:  https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/sets/meditations-for-wellbeing

A very simple yet powerful guided meditation: https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/guided-meditation-for-inner-peace-wellbeing

A guided meditation incorporating breath and mantra: https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/breath-and-gauranga-mantra

Learning to do Japa: https://acharyadas.com/3-mantra-meditation-japa/

A wonderful daily guided meditation track incorporating breath, mantra, japa, then a kirtan: https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/mymeditation

A suite of videos teaching different mantra meditation practices: https://acharyadas.com/series/mantra-meditation-discover-and-try/

Bruce Springsteen famously sang – “Everybody has a Hungry Heart”. It explores the search to fill that inner emptiness most people experience at different times and to different degrees. A few of the lines in the song go: “Everybody needs a place to rest, Everybody wants to have a home, Don't make no difference what nobody says, Ain't nobody like to be alone”

In this talk we examine how this inner hunger may manifest and what is its real cause, and how it is driven by a deep and almost unconscious desire to reconnect with our eternal soulmate, to find and experience (in multiple ways) the highest perfection.

Some of the verses I quote are:

Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor. - Bhagavad-gita 10.41

‘One who possesses all these six divine and inconceivable excellences known as “bhaga” to the utmost degree, namely opulence, power, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus known as Bhagavān.’ - Viṣṇu Purāṇa 6.5.47

Only the purified soul can attain the perfection of associating with the Personality of Godhead in complete bliss and satisfaction in his constitutional state. Whoever is able to renovate such devotional perfection is never again attracted by this material world, and he never returns. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa   2.2.31

Formerly, great sages, through the sacrifice of Vedic knowledge and spiritual enlightenment, worshiped Me within themselves, knowing Me to be the Supreme Lord of all sacrifice and the Supreme Soul in everyone's heart. Thus coming to Me, these sages achieved the supreme perfection. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa   11.19.6

My devotees always see the smiling face of My form, with eyes like the rising morning sun. They like to see My various transcendental forms, which are all benevolent, and they also talk favorably with Me. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa   3.25.35

By chance, two birds have made a nest together in the same tree. The two birds are friends and are of a similar nature. One of them, however, is eating the fruits of the tree, whereas the other, who does not eat the fruits, is in a superior position due to His potency.

The bird who does not eat the fruits of the tree is the Supreme Soul, who by His omniscience perfectly understands His own position and that of the conditioned living entity, represented by the eating bird. That living entity, on the other hand, does not understand himself or the Lord. He is covered by ignorance and is thus called eternally conditioned, whereas the Personality of Godhead, being full of perfect knowledge, is eternally liberated. – Bhāgavata Purāṇa  11.11.6-7

Upon seeing the charming forms of the Lord, smiling and attractive, and hearing His very pleasing words, the pure devotee almost loses all other consciousness. His senses are freed from all other engagements, and he becomes absorbed in devoted and loving transcendental service. Thus in spite of his unwillingness, he attains liberation without separate endeavor. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa   3.25.36

I was asked the question that if we as spiritual beings (residing within the body) are truly eternal, meaning without a beginning nor an end, does that make us God-like? Are we then not different from God? And does this mean that we are somehow Gods?

The Vedic/Yogic teachings are that the individual soul (ātma/self) is a part and parcel of God and therefore “Inconceivably, simultaneously one yet distinct” from God –acintya-bhedābheda-tattva in Sanskrit.

We examined some authoritative Vedic verses about this:

This is the truth: As sparks of similar form spring forth by the thousands from a strongly blazing fire, so from the Absolute Truth are produced the various living beings, O gentle one, and there also do they go. - Mundaka Upanishad 2:1:1

As tiny sparks fly from a fire, so all the individual souls have come from the Supreme. - Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad, 2.2.20

auṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ

pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate

pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya

pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate

The Supreme Soul is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance. - Śrī Īśopaniṣad Invocation

nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām
eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān

nityaḥ – an eternal; nityānāṁ – a vast number of eternal beings; cetanaḥ – cognizant or conscious; cetanānām – a vast number of cognizant or conscious beings; ekaḥ – one alone; bahūnāṁ – of many; yaḥ – one who; vidadhāti – He awards; kāmān – desires;

He is the eternal among all eternal entities, and the chief conscious being among all conscious beings. Among the many living entities, He is the chief, who fulfills their desires. Śvetāsvatara Upaniṣad 6.13 & Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13

Īśvara is a special Puruṣa, unlike other puruṣas, being untouched by afflictions, actions (material activity) and the fruit of actions, and latent impressions or material desires. In Him the seed of omniscience is unsurpassed (infinite). He is also the Teacher of all ancient teachers (sages), being not limited by time. The transcendental sound personifying Him is AUṀ. - Yoga Sūtra 1.24-27

Īśvara [Supreme Soul / Paramātmā] is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” - Bhagavad-gīta 18.61.

sa nityo nitya-sambandhaḥ
prakṛtiś ca paraiva sā

The same jīva is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning joined to the Supreme Lord by the tie of an eternal kinship. He is transcendental spiritual potency. - Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.21

By chance, two birds have made a nest together in the same tree. The two birds are friends and are of a similar nature. One of them, however, is eating the fruits of the tree, whereas the other, who does not eat the fruits, is in a superior position due to His potency.

The bird who does not eat the fruits of the tree is the Supreme Soul, who by His omniscience perfectly understands His own position and that of the conditioned living entity, represented by the eating bird. That living entity, on the other hand, does not understand himself or the Lord. He is covered by ignorance and is thus called eternally conditioned, whereas the Personality of Godhead, being full of perfect knowledge, is eternally liberated. – Bhāgavata Purāṇa  11.11.6-7

Over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed consumerism, how it is driven by state-actors through economic policy (economic growth); how it is largely driven by greed and envy; that it is the underlying catalyst for a general sense of emptiness (leveraged through manipulative advertising which plays on it); it becomes a vicious cycle of the perpetual hunger for more – “what’s next”.

Consumerism gives rise to significant problems on a personal, societal, and environmental level.

Temperance (self-restraint) is critical to living healthier, happier, and more peaceful lives. This was promoted by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese philosophers, and by most of the world’s great religions and even Charles Darwin.

I mention the Rotary Creed as I feel it is a wonderful tool to help build temperance in our dealings with others. It goes - "Of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Some of the quotes I used:

The Century of the Self documentary is “the story of the rise of an idea that has come to dominate our society. It is the belief that satisfaction of individual feelings and desires is our highest priority” - Adam Curtis

The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.” – Gus Speth

There is a single trait that psychologists have studied over the years that can actually predict the answers to all of the 5 questions. And, it isn’t grades in school or friendliness or confidence or emotional stability or even personality in general. It isn’t intelligence or persistence. Rather, it is restraint — the ability to resist temptation confidently and repeatedly. Psychologists call this conscientiousness.

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires -- that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still -- can alone achieve peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy such desires. Bhagavad-gita 2.70

This is the conclusion to the series “Who Controls Your Mind” – about living a more conscious and purposeful life, and the need to be in control of your own mind to do that.

The consumption and use of information & technology do not bestow wisdom. They can in fact do the opposite. This is called dumbing-down the population.

What is needed is a spiritual paradigm which combats materialism - the ultimate vehicle for ignorance and harm.

Research consistently shows that the more people value materialist aspirations and goals, the lower their happiness and life satisfaction and the fewer the pleasant emotions they experience day to day.

Qualities such as restraint, temperance, self-control, delayed gratification, compassion, humility and kindness all support and bolster a life guided by wisdom.

The video I suggested watching is “The High Price of Materialism” 2011 https://youtu.be/oGab38pKscw

Some quotes I used:

As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence. - Bhagavad-gita 2.67

Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are restrained from their objects is certainly of steady intelligence. - Bhagavad-gita 2.68

A faithful man who is dedicated to transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace. - Bhagavad-gita 4.39

Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is well situated and is happy in this world. - Bhagavad-gita 5.23

Exploring the concept of yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizing that yoga extends far beyond the common understanding of just physical postures (asanas). He explains that the word "yoga" appears over 100 times in the Bhagavad Gita's 700 verses, highlighting its central importance to the text. The fundamental meaning of yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj," which means to join or unite, specifically referring to the reunion of the individual soul (ātmā) with the Supreme Soul ((Paramātmā).

There are various types of yoga paths described in the Bhagavad Gita, including karma yoga (the yoga of action), jnana yoga (the yoga of knowledge), dhyana yoga (the yoga of meditation), and bhakti yoga (the yoga of love). These different yoga practices are presented not as separate standalone paths but as progressive stages on a spiritual journey, likened to rungs on a ladder. The ultimate goal of all yoga practice is union with God or the Divine, which can be experienced in three ways: as the Brahman (the ocean of spiritual light), as Paramatma (the Supreme Soul within all beings), or as the personal form of God, Bhagavan, who is supremely beautiful and loving and engages in loving relationships.

We hear that yoga doesn't require abandoning one's duties or position in life but rather transforming one's activities into spiritual practice by performing them without attachment to results and as service to God. Krishna is identified as Yogeshwara (the Lord of Yoga) and the ultimate object of yoga practice.

Texts quoted in this talk:

Only the ignorant speak of karma-yoga and devotional service [bhakti-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [sāṅkhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.4

A yogī is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogī. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.46

Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.48

A man engaged in [loving] devotional service [to the Lord] rids himself of both good and bad actions even in this life. Therefore strive for yoga, O Arjuna, which is the art of all work. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.50

When the yogī, by practice of yoga, disciplines his mental activities and becomes situated in Transcendence - devoid of all material desires - he is said to have attained yoga. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.18

A person is said to have attained to yoga when, having renounced all material desires, he neither acts for sense gratification nor engages in fruitive activities. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.4

My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.9

If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.10

If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.11

If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.12

Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. - Bhagavad-gītā 18.65

And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.47

Social Media and Big-Tech try to convince you that their product(s) are about making your life better or “connecting with people” etc. But the companies themselves have the goal of getting your attention, and then keeping you on their platforms for as much of your day as possible. They collect your data and usage habits and then sell your data or use the information to make money off you.

To do that they engage experts in an area of psychology research called "persuasive design," whose scholars seek to understand how to create something that is next to impossible to put down. Persuasive design combines behavioral psychology with technology to alter human behavior – yes, your behavior.

Tristan Harris, an ex-Google employee, speaking to the US Congress said the business model of big social media companies "is to create a society that is addicted, outraged, polarized, performative and disinformed. That's just the fundamentals of how it works."

Emily Jashinsky says these companies wield their power over your mind, to make you angrier, lonelier, dumber, less healthy and more addicted.

We become increasingly disconnected from the real world and end up “living in our heads.”

So what to do? In authentic spiritual systems/practices they promote both “dos” and “don’ts” (Yama/Niyama) in order to change your life. In relation to the topic we are coving I make some suggestions.

Don’ts –

· Stay off the apps as much as possible (limit usage),

· don’t just look to fill up an empty space,

· don’t just click on things that are fed to you (it is not harmless!!),

· stop seeking acceptance and validation through empty posts

· don’t just react (get emotionally involved or outraged)

Dos –

· move to take charge of your mind and its’ contents

· get a (real) life (find PURPOSE)

· become more informed (Yoga Wisdom)

· practice tolerance and humility

· be kind

· cultivate spiritual wisdom

· meditate!!!

“One who is not connected with the Supreme Soul can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?” - Bhagavad-gita 2.66

This is a series of talks and kirtans from an Easter retreat in New Zealand, 2022. The topic I was given was "Bhakti - the yoga of love".

This is a series of talks and kirtans from an Easter retreat in New Zealand, 2022. The topic I was given was "Bhakti - the yoga of love".

This is a series of talks and kirtans from an Easter retreat in New Zealand, 2022. The topic I was given was "Bhakti - the yoga of love".

This is a series of talks and kirtans from an Easter retreat in New Zealand, 2022. The topic I was given was "Bhakti - the yoga of love".

This is a series of talks and kirtans from an Easter retreat in New Zealand, 2022. The topic I was given was "Bhakti - the yoga of love".

This is a series of talks and kirtans from an Easter retreat in New Zealand, 2022. The topic I was given was "Bhakti - the yoga of love".

 Most people today are oblivious to who controls their minds or to what degree they are controlled.

We discuss how the use of psychology to manipulate the masses became commonplace in the 20th Century.

Sigmund Freud's nephew Edward Bernays showed American corporations for the first time, how they could make people want things they didn't need, by linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires. He proposed that by stimulating people's inner desires and then sating them with consumer products, he was creating a new way to manage the irrational forces of the masses. He called it the engineering of consent.

Some quotes I used:

“We must shift America from a needs to a desires culture. People must be trained to desire, to want new things even before the old had been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality in America. Man's desires must overshadow his needs.” - Leading Wall Street banker Paul Mazer of Leahman Brothers in the early 1920’s

In 1927 an American journalist wrote: “A change has come over our democracy, it is called consumptionism. The American citizen's first importance to his country is now no longer that of citizen, but that of consumer.

In 1928 President Herbert Hoover told a group of advertisers and public relations men "You Have taken over the job of creating desire and have transformed people into constantly moving happiness machines. Machines which have become the key to economic progress."

“Although the media has undisputed power to influence people's decisions and they are in control of the public mind, unfortunately, they are for the greater part without any conscience.” – Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda ( Stated in the mid to late 1980’s)

The modem economy is propelled by a frenzy of greed and indulges in an orgy of envy, and these are not accidental features but the very causes of its expansionist success. The question is whether such causes can be effective for long or whether they carry within themselves the seeds of destruction. – E. F. Schumacher – British Economist

“It can be seen that while the media and advertising people may not fully appreciate this science, they are aware of how it works and they use it to control people's minds and exploit them. Due to their own lust for material gain and following, they don't use their power to good effect. They want a society of animals because animals are easier to control and exploit than intelligent people. This, for example, is the whole strategy of advertising. Excite people's gross senses and they'll buy your product.” – Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda

“People are already feeling alienated from everyone else in society. They're already small and powerless in the face of the powers that be. The media should not increase this. They should give people a chance to express what they are really seeing and feeling. But instead, they increase paranoia and separation. They create a feeling of "us" and "them."” – Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda

A new series where we explore the all-important subject of:

1. who is actually in control of and is directing my life; and

2. why that is important.

We will be taking an in-depth look at how the science of mind-control was developed by the advertising industry and further developed and exponentially enhanced by Big Tech to take control of your mind and desires, so as to exploit you financially.

Within the context of the yoga system – when I am simply following the desires or emotions within the mind,  it means one has become a “victim” of their own mind.

A real yogi is one who utilizes their mind as an instrument or tool to achieve a higher end. In the series we will explore this point in some detail.

Some of the quotes I used:

"The individual is the passenger in the chariot of the material body, and intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument, and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses. So it is understood by great thinkers." Katha Upanisad 1.3.3-4

The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence. Bhagavad-gita 3.42

One must deliver themself with the help of one’s mind, and not degrade themself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well. Bhagavad-gita 6.5

For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy. Bhagavad-gita 6.6

This uncontrolled mind is the greatest enemy of the living entity. If one neglects it or gives it a chance, it will grow more and more powerful and will become victorious. Although it is not factual, it is very strong. It covers the constitutional position of the self/atma. SB 5.11.17

For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion. Bhagavad-gita 6.36

This is the final video of a 3-part series called "Finding Myself" – The fundamentals of enlightenment.  

In the attempt to come to know who I really am (self-realization), it is necessary to answer three questions:  1) What is my essence?  2) What is my position? - meaning where do I fit in the big picture, and 3) What is my natural function?  

Everyone wonders if they have some higher purpose. The answer is yes and the quest to discover it takes us on an amazing journey. A significant part of our seeking self-realization, is to find an answer to the question “what is the natural and eternal function of the soul itself?”  

The answer is tied to the need we all have to both love and to be loved.  This need arises from our deeper self and is a spiritual need. It cannot be completely and unlimitedly fulfilled through the material world or material relationships. It is after all completely spiritual.   

The awakening of spiritual love is our higher purpose and is the ultimate spiritual experience.

This is the Q&A portion of the preceding talk on Developing a Meditation Habit - Your Key to a Spiritual Awakening.

Acharya das explores the nature of spiritual existence and consciousness, focusing on the concept that humans are spiritual beings inhabiting physical bodies. He discusses near-death experiences as evidence of consciousness existing beyond the physical brain, emphasizing that spiritual beings are persons (purusha) rather than just an impersonal energy. His answers cover how meditation can help discover one's true spiritual nature, he critiques modern materialistic culture and its impact on mental health, and addresses questions about parenting in a spiritually-oriented way. He strongly criticizes the concept of "manifesting" as promoting self-centeredness contrary to our spiritual nature, and emphasizes the importance of teaching children delayed gratification, responsibility, and how to question everything.

This is the 2nd of a 3 part series called "Finding Myself" – The fundamentals of enlightenment.  

In the attempt to come to know who I really am (self-realization), it is necessary to answer three questions:  1) What is my essence?  2) What is my position? - meaning where do I fit in the big picture, and 3) What is my natural function?  

Since time immemorial people have struggled with material nature, seeking to dominate, own, and control the Earth and its resources.  We have similarly sought to control, dominate, and even own, others.   

While desiring to be in control, all people never-the-less experience how we tend to be controlled by our mind, with its infinite desires and wants, and even by our physical body, especially noticeable when it is sick or as it grows old.  

We desire freedom, to do whatever we want, whenever we want, and in many ways to be “number one”, to be supreme, but this is also a losing battle.   

We can experience harmony and peacefulness when we are able to realize our true position, or where we fit (as eternal spiritual beings) in the big picture.

This is the 1st of a 3 part series called "Finding Myself" – The fundamentals of enlightenment.  

In the attempt to come to know who I really am (self-realization), it is necessary to answer three questions:  1) What is my essence?  2) What is my position? - meaning where do I fit in the big picture, and 3) What is my natural function?  

In this talk, we explore how "you" are an eternal spiritual being, separate from, but residing within, the physical body and covered by the mind. To come to appreciate this reality is a huge thing and will completely alter how we see "ourselves", others, and the world.  In the talk, there is a mention of Silent Witness Meditation. This is a video link to it - https://youtu.be/sahWjLqFp1wand this is an audio link for those who prefer that - https://soundcloud.com/acharyadas/sil...

In this final talk in the series, we continue the exploration of the famous mantra: asato mā sad gamaya tamaso mā jyotir gamaya mṛtyor māmṛtaṁ gamaya Oh Lord, lead me from illusion into the eternal reality.  Lead me from darkness into the light. Lead me from the realm of death into the nectar of immortality. - Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28  

We have previously examined the two sets of opposites; sat/asat (ultimate reality or truth/untruth or illusion) and tamas/jyotis (darkness/light). Now we examine mṛtyu/amṛta or death/immortality. In this world the only thing you can guarantee – death. Yet people don’t like to discuss or consider death and naturally there is little or no preparation for our own death.  

Some of the authoritative and enlightening Vedic texts I quoted: Yudhiṣṭhira Questioned by Dharmaraja - What is the most wonderful thing? The most wonderful thing is that although every day innumerable creatures go to the abode of death, still a man thinks he is immortal. - Mahābhārata  

Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessings of immortality. - Śrī Īśopaniṣad mantra 11    From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kuntī, never takes birth again.  Bhagavad-gītā 8.16  

In a dream one can see his own head being cut off and thus understand that his actual self is standing apart from the dream experience. Similarly, while awake one can see that his body is a product of the five material elements. Therefore it is to be understood that the actual self, the soul, is distinct from the body it observes and is unborn and immortal.   Bhāgavata Purāṇa 12.5.4  

A person does not actually take birth out of the seed of past activities, nor, being immortal, does he die. By illusion the living being appears to be born and to die, just as fire in connection with firewood appears to begin and then cease to exist.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.22.46  

Because the conditioned soul is always disturbed by the bodily necessities such as hunger and thirst, he has very little time to cultivate attachment to hearing the nectarean words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.29.41   

Even a moment's association with a pure transcendentalist (devotee) cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with a pure transcendentalist is the highest benediction.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.30.34  

O ultimate truth, one without a second, You are realized as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān and are therefore the reservoir of all knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 6.16.19

There are three kinds of spiritual processes for understanding the Absolute Truth—the processes of speculative knowledge (jñāna), mystic yoga (yoga) and bhakti-yoga (bhakti). According to these three processes, the Absolute Truth is manifested as Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 20.157  

Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself is the one undivided Absolute Truth, the ultimate reality. He manifests Himself in three features—as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. Caitanya-caritāmṛta Ādi 2.65  

The great sage Maitreya said: O warrior, the inquiry made by you is just befitting a saintly person because it concerns the incarnation of the Personality of Godhead. He is the source of liberation from the chain of birth and death for all those who are otherwise destined to die.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.14.5

See Youtube for full description.

In this talk we continue the exploration of the famous mantra: asato mā sad gamaya tamaso mā jyotir gamaya mṛtyor māmṛtaṁ gamaya Oh Lord, lead me from illusion into the eternal reality.  Lead me from darkness into the light. Lead me from the realm of death into the nectar of immortality. - Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28   

Last week we examined sat/asat – eternal truth as opposed to untruth or illusion. Now we get a very graphic/ descriptive phrase as to what constitutes sat/asat which is light and darkness.   

In Sanskrit “tamas” means – darkness, gloom, mental darkness, ignorance, illusion, error; whereas its opposite “jyotis” means – Light (of the sun, dawn, fire, lightning, etc.), brightness (of the sky) light as the divine principle of life or source of intelligence, intelligence.   

The many Vedic texts I quoted: Covered by the mode of ignorance in material nature, the living entity is sometimes a male, sometimes a female, sometimes a eunuch, sometimes a human being, sometimes a demigod, sometimes a bird, an animal, and so on. In this way he is wandering within the material world. His acceptance of different types of bodies is brought about by his activities under the influence of the modes of nature.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.29.29  

When the living entity is covered by the mode of ignorance, he does not understand the individual living being and the supreme living being, and his mind is subjugated to fruitive activity. Therefore, until one has love for Lord Vāsudeva, who is none other than Myself, he is certainly not delivered from having to accept a material body again and again.   Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.5.6  

When the sun rises it destroys the darkness covering men's eyes, but it does not create the objects they then see before them, which in fact were existing all along. Similarly, potent and factual realization of Me will destroy the darkness covering a person's true consciousness.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.28.34  

This Bhāgavata Purāṇa is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purāṇa. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.3.43  

Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries….  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.1.2  

Because a person who has been covered by ignorance since time immemorial is not capable of effecting his own self-realization, there must be some other personality who is in factual knowledge of the Absolute Truth and can impart this knowledge to him. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.22.10  

…. My dear Lord, You are the supreme spiritual master of everyone; therefore all conditioned souls covered with the darkness of ignorance can be enlightened by You as the spiritual master. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.24.52  

Dear master, kindly enlighten us in transcendental knowledge, which may act as a torchlight by which we may cross the dark nescience of material existence. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.31.7  

Invocation  oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.

(Speaking of the materially entangled soul) …. In that state he becomes almost perpetually like a blind man who has fallen into a dark well of ignorance.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.14.21

For the full description see Youtube.

In this talk we begin by exploring of a very well-known Upaniṣad-ic mantra.  

Auṁ  asato mā sad gamaya tamaso mā jyotir gamaya mṛtyor māmṛtaṁ gamaya Auṁ śānti śānti śāntiḥ  

Oh Lord, lead me from illusion into the eternal reality.  Lead me from darkness into the light. Lead me from the realm of death into the nectar of immortality. Let there be the peace of spiritual enlightenment! - Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28  

What does it really mean? - “Oh Lord, lead me from illusion(untruth) into the eternal reality.”    

The Sanskrit word “sat” (reality, truth) and “asat” (nescience, ignorance, untruth)  in this mantra references the extraordinary way the ancient sages looked at this world, relationships and the self.   Some of the verses I quoted: Ignorance consists of considering that which is temporary as eternal, the impure as pure, misery as happiness and the non-self (the body or mind) as the real self.   Yoga-sūtra  2.5  

Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessings of immortality. - Śrī Īśopaniṣad mantra 11

What lies at the very heart of war?  The great sages saw the cause as being a spiritual ailment. There are often symptoms of, personal ambition of a leader/leaders which often manifests as a quest for power/wealth; and the “Them and US” mentality which is a breeding ground for a lack of empathy or even hated of others.  

The sages have stated that there cannot be peace without inner peace.  Some of the verses I quoted are:  

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still—can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires. Bhagavad-gītā 2.70  

One who is not connected with the Supreme can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?  Bhagavad-gītā 2.66  

A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego—he alone can attain real peace.  Bhagavad-gītā 2.71  

Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong. Śrī Īśopaniṣad mantra 1  

The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]. Bhagavad-gītā 5.18  

A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogī [or mystic] when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything—whether it be pebbles, stones or gold—as the same.  Bhagavad-gītā 6.8  

He is a perfect yogī who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, in both their happiness and their distress, O Arjuna! Bhagavad-gītā 6.32  

Let us move now from the practical how to the theoretical why: Why should we love our enemies? The first reason is fairly obvious. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says, "love your enemies," he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition. Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies—or else? The chain reaction of evil—hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars—must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. - Martin Luker King Jr.

I was asked by some people to address this question after they read about an interview with Pope Francis where he was asked why he thought God would allow children to suffer. The Pope said, "I have no explanation for that.”  

Many people jump on the honesty of the Pope to bash religion or to disrespect him, but I ask people to please not do that. This is a very serious and important subject which I have attempted to address from the Vedic perspective.  

The quotes I have used in this talk; I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. - NKJV 2 Corinthians 12:2  

As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.  Bhagavad-gītā 2.13  

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain. Bhagavad-gītā 2.20  

As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones. Bhagavad-gītā 2.22  

The caterpillar transports itself from one leaf to another by capturing one leaf before giving up the other. Similarly, according to his previous work, the living entity must capture another body before giving up the one he has. This is because the mind is the reservoir of all kinds of desires.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.29.76-77  

The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas. Thus he takes one kind of body and again quits it to take another.  Bhagavad-gītā 15.8 

The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this.  Bhagavad-gītā 15.9  

The endeavoring transcendentalists who are situated in self-realization can see all this clearly. But those whose minds are not developed and who are not situated in self-realization cannot see what is taking place, though they may try to. Bhagavad-gītā 15.11  

For one who is not renounced, the threefold fruits of action -- desirable, undesirable and mixed -- accrue after death.  Bhagavad-gītā 18.12  

The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas. Thus he takes one kind of body and again quits it to take another.  Bhagavad-gītā 15.8  

For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. KJV Galatians 6:7  

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. KJV John 9:1-3  

Even though one is in the renounced order, one who is advanced certainly feels compassion for suffering living entities.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.8.10  CC Ādi 9.42 - "‘It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.’ CC Ādi 9.43 - "‘By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions which will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and the next.’

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How is it that all living beings in the material world are bewildered by the powerful illusion that the body is the self? The Vedas explain that there is a pervasive and powerful, yet invisible, illusory energy named Māyā.  This is a bit esoteric for many people but it is a very important subject.  

We mention an ancient story of a warrior prince who was questioned by a mystical being and one of the questions put to his was; What is the most wonderful thing?  

With folded palms Yudhiṣṭhira replied, “The most wonderful thing is that although every day innumerable creatures go to the abode of death, still a man thinks he is immortal.“  The verses I have quoted in this talk are as follows: Ignorance consists of considering that which is temporary as eternal, the impure as pure, misery as happiness and the non-self (the body or mind) as the real self.   Yoga Sūtra 2.5  

My dear Uddhava, the material universe that you perceive through your mind, speech, eyes, ears and other senses is an illusory creation that one imagines to be real due to the influence of māyā. In fact, you should know that all of the objects of the material senses are temporary.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.7.7  

Just as a dream is merely a creation of one’s intelligence but has no actual substance, similarly, material lamentation, illusion, happiness, distress and the acceptance of the material body under the influence of māyā are all creations of My illusory energy. In other words, material existence has no essential reality.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.11.2  

One should see that the material world is a distinct illusion appearing in the mind, because material objects have an extremely flickering existence and are here today and gone tomorrow. They can be compared to the streaking red line created by whirling a fiery stick. The spirit soul by nature exists in the single state of pure consciousness. However, in this world he appears in many different forms and stages of existence. The modes of nature divide the soul’s consciousness into normal wakefulness, dreaming and dreamless sleep. All such varieties of perception, however, are actually māyā and exist only like a dream.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.13.34  

Due to my feeling of false ego, I have been engaged by Your māyā and have identified myself with the body and consequent bodily relations. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.25.10  

O Lord, the people of this world, both men and women, are bewildered by Your illusory energy. Unaware of their real benefit, they do not worship You but instead seek happiness by entangling themselves in family affairs, which are actually sources of misery. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.51.45 

No one can overcome the Supreme Person’s illusory energy [māyā], which is so strong that it bewilders everyone, making one lose the sense to understand the aim of life.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.5.30  

The Supreme Lord’s Māyā makes men forget their real selves, and thus, taking the body for the self, they consider others to be friends, enemies or neutral parties.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.54.43

The original nature of every living entity is to consider himself the eternal servant of the Lord. But under the influence of māyā he thinks himself to be the body, and thus his original consciousness is covered. CC Madhya 24.201

Thus the yogī can be in the self-realized position after conquering the insurmountable spell of māyā, who presents herself as both the cause and effect of this material manifestation and is therefore very difficult to understand. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.28.44

If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory.  Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.3.34

It is often proposed these days that building one’s Self-esteem is the panacea for many issues plaguing our lives. But this can be an oversimplification of deeper issues and there can be many “weaknesses” is such a proposal.

We need to question the validity of this idea, at least to how it is often promoted. We live in a time when more attention is paid to people’s “mental health” than at any time in history, yet simultaneously seeing huge and unprecedented rises in depression, mental illness, suicide etc.

So maybe we need to consider other perspectives, more ancient and traditional perspectives.

Some quotes I used:

For one who has conquered the mind, the Supreme Soul is already reached, for they have attained tranquillity. To such a person happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same. Bhagavad gītā 6.7

One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn’t care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and who is engaged in devotional service—such a person is very dear to Me. Bhagavad gītā 12.18-19

The saintly brāhmaṇa said: Everyone considers certain things within the material world to be most dear to him, and because of attachment to such things one eventually becomes miserable. One who understands this gives up material possessiveness and attachment and thus achieves unlimited happiness. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.9.1

In family life, the parents are always in anxiety about their home, children and reputation. But I have nothing to do with these things. I do not worry at all about any family, and I do not care about honor and dishonor. I enjoy only the life of the soul, and I find love on the spiritual platform. Thus I wander the earth like a child. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.9.3

In this talk we will explore an extremely important topic for anyone who wants to understand yoga and self-realization.   

The subject is a bit esoteric and may be difficult for some to grasp as it deals with something that is completely beyond the very limited modern scientific view of what constitutes a person.  The Vedas teach that there is a “real” identity/me and a “false” identity/me.   

The entirety of living beings within the material world, with very few exceptions, are living out what could be described as dreamlike lives, totally engrossed in the world of the False Ego or the false self, totally unaware of their actual spiritual identity.  

So, what is the mechanism that makes this possible? It is called the ahaṅkāra in Sanskrit, which is the subtle, yet powerful, covering of the soul/self, which distorts the consciousness of the pure soul.  

The verses I quoted in this talk are as follows:  

When the soul is under the spell of material nature and false ego, identifying one’s body as the self, the person becomes absorbed in material activities, and by the influence of false ego one thinks that they are the proprietor of everything. – Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.27.2  

During the rainy season the moon was prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the clouds, which were themselves illumined by the moon’s rays. Similarly, the living being in material existence is prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the false ego, which is itself illumined by the consciousness of the pure soul. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.20.19  

The mind, being able to perceive due to its reflecting both the atma (self) and objects of perception, appears to comprehend everything. Yoga-Sūtra 4.23 

Even though the mind has accumulated various impressions (and desires) of various types it is always at the disposal of the atma (self). This is because the mind cannot function without the power of the perceiver.    Yoga-Sūtra 4.24  

The false ego of the living entity places him in bondage and awards him exactly the opposite of what he really desires. Therefore, an intelligent person should give up his constant anxiety to enjoy material life and remain situated in the Lord, who is beyond the functions of material consciousness. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.13.29  

As long as the spirit soul is covered by the subtle body, consisting of the mind, intelligence and false ego, he is bound to the results of his fruitive activities. Because of this covering, the spirit soul is connected with the material energy and must accordingly suffer material conditions and reversals, continually, life after life. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 7.2.47

A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego—they alone can attain real peace. – Bhagavad gītā 2.71  

Although the false ego has no factual basis, it is perceived in many forms—as the functions of the mind, speech, life air and bodily faculties. But with the sword of transcendental knowledge, sharpened by worship of a bona fide spiritual master, a sober sage will cut off this false identification and live in this world free from all material attachment. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.28.17  

Lamentation, elation, fear, anger, greed, confusion and hankering, as well as birth and death, are experiences of the false ego and not of the pure soul. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.28.15

The full description can be found on Youtube.

Acharya das explores the concept of spiritual awakening through meditation, particularly focusing on the use of transcendental sound. He explains that spiritual awakening begins with recognizing that we are eternal spiritual beings temporarily occupying physical bodies, rather than identifying solely with our physical forms and minds. Because of this bodily misidentification, most people live in a state of spiritual "sleep," constantly seeking fulfillment and happiness through material experiences while neglecting the need for “spiritual nutrition”.

This misidentification leads to emptiness and anxiety, as material pursuits can never fully satisfy our spiritual hunger. Acharya das introduces meditation as immersion in transcendental sound the most powerful method for spiritual awakening. Unlike material sound, spiritual sound or mantras contain a unique potency that can purify the heart and mind. The regular practice of meditation using spiritual sound can transform one's perspective, reduce anxiety, and lead to greater peace and happiness, regardless of whether one's goal is spiritual awakening or simply finding more peace in daily life.

I was asked what the yogic view of Christmas is.  Firstly, Christmas is (like it or not), the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Everything else (the tree, the gift-giving, the partying) was added later.  

The yoga system does not mention what is thought of today as ‘religions’.  But it recognized eternal and universal spiritual truth/principles, which may be reflected within religions to different degrees.  

But there was a significant focus on transcendentalists, and it was understood that transcendentalists were transcendentalists for all.      

Here are the Vedic verses I quoted: Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with pure devotees is the highest benediction.  - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.30.34  

O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science could not fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they were endowed with the prolonged lifetime of Brahmā, for You appear in two features—externally as the ācārya and internally as the Supersoul—to deliver the embodied living being by directing him how to come to You.  - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.29.6  

Therefore, O completely sinless ones, I ask you to kindly tell me what the supreme good is. After all, even half a moment’s association with pure devotees within this world of birth and death is a priceless treasure for any man.  - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.2.30  

One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.17.27  

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.  - Bhagavad-gītā  4.34

Someone sent me a meme, it was a picture of the top of Mt. Everest with the caption “Every dead body on Mount Everest was once a highly motivated person. So….maybe calm down!”  

We live in an age that demands “BIG reactions” to almost everything. Where being ‘highly motivated’ is meant to be a good quality. But we don’t often deeply consider “Motivated by what?” and “To do what?”  

We discuss the quality of dispassion, defined as to “not be influenced by strong feelings, or not affected by personal or emotional involvement.”  

Some verses I quote in the talk: The mode of passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, O son of Kunti, and because of this one is bound to material fruitive activities. - Bhagavad-gītā 14.7  

O chief of the Bharatas, when there is an increase in the mode of passion, the symptoms of great attachment, uncontrollable desire, hankering, and intense endeavor develop.  - Bhagavad-gītā  14.12  

…. Works done in the mode of passion result in distress,  - Bhagavad-gītā  14.16 

…. from the mode of passion, grief develops;  - Bhagavad-gītā  14.17  

That happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but poison at the end is said to be of the nature of passion.  - Bhagavad-gītā  18.38  

One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?  - Bhagavad-gītā  2.66  

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires -- that enter like rivers into the ocean which is ever being filled but is always still -- can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires. - Bhagavad-gītā  2.70  

A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego -- he alone can attain real peace. - Bhagavad-gītā  2.71  

Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is a yogi and is happy in this world.  - Bhagavad-gītā  5.23

The wide use of the social media mechanism of “leave a comment below” in all it’s different forms, including Twitter, has significantly contributed to the current breakdown of social etiquette and damaged communication between people. Poisoning the well of social discourse has contributed to the serious loss of peace of mind and the erosion of happiness of much of the population at large.  

As Tristan Harris the former Design Ethicist of Google has stated, this is part of Big Tech’s strategy and business model helping it "to create a society that is addicted, outraged, polarized, performative and disinformed.”  

From a spiritual perspective, this is incredibly damaging to people and disruptive to spiritual growth. We need to be continuously evaluating whether something I am hearing, seeing, reading, etc, heightens my emotional responses? And does this content appeal to or stimulate my baser instincts? Does it create division (team spirit), or does it encourage empathy, compassion, and kindness? Is it based on spiritual understanding, or does it promote ignorance?