Class Summary for Oct 24, 2021 - Kailvalya Upanishad - Slokas 9 & 10

 Summarized by: See Sekhar Palaparthy

We started the class with our Prayers, Pranayama and Meditation.

Recap

• We recapped few key points from previous class Shlokas (7 and 8)
• Nirguna Upasana aids to the ultimate truth and if that can’t be practiced, one should start with Saguna Upasana
• Uma Maheswara has been used as a representation for Saguna Upasana and we recapped on this form’s significance (Purusha and Prakriti); Also, emphasizes the balance which is required between Spiritual and Material aspects during meditation
• Guru can’t give Moksha, but can only provide the knowledge and direction

Reference from Guru stotra sessions:

• All the paths like Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and so on involves action, but the ultimate path is the Gyana Yoga where there is no indulgence in any action.

• However, all the other paths DO play a key role to make one qualify to realize Brahman or Gyanam (or practice Gyana Yoga)

• All the yogas (except Gyana Yoga) help
• Cleanse and prepare BMI (Body, Mind, and Intellect)
• Get your intellect to focus on the ultimate truth

• Key point from Shloka 1/2: Shraddha, Bhakti and Dhyana - represent Shravanam, Mananam and Nidhi Dhyasanam

• Single pointed focus (bhakti) and faith are required to proceed on the path of Gyana Yoga

Kaivalya Upanishad (Sloka 9 and 10)

Shloka 9 :

• The Upanishad is making an attempt to define the undefinable “Brahman”
• HE alone is all that was and all that will be – Eternal (i.e Brahman is timeless; not bound to time concept)
• By knowing the “Brahman”, one goes beyond the continuous cycle of birth and death (i.e realized, without the need of taking any more births)
• There is no place where Brahman doesn’t exist; It’s all pervasive and omnipresent (timeless)
• Ex: Waves in a Ocean; Whether there is an existence of wave or not, Ocean/water is always there; similarly Brahman is the only one which is always there, all other name- forms come and go
• Gold is the truth in all ornaments; in other words, Gold is the cause of the ornaments, which is the effect
• We define boundaries ourselves either by a building 4 walls, or by containers and so on, but space is all pervasive; it isn’t confined to any object. Similarly, Brahman is all pervasive; there is no boundary which limits the existence of Brahman

Shloka 10:

• One who understands this TRUTH and experiences own’s self in all beings becomes immortal with complete freedom from attachments/vasanas. There is no other means to attain the “Highest Brahman”

• Ex: Room with mirror; when one enters into a room of mirror, you would not alienate all the other reflections from you, as you see all of them as same i.e yourself. Similarly, the state of oneness, is where one sees Brahman everywhere and in everyone
• This shloka emphasizes that being one with all is the ONLY means to attain the Brahman.
• However, this doesn’t mean all other means or paths aren’t useful or do not have any relevance towards the ultimate goal
• Ex: Pole-vault -The ultimate goal is to clear the height; As it isn’t sufficient to just know that clearing the height is the goal, but one would need the pole to be able to clear the height. Here the pole represents all the other paths like Bhakti, Karma and so on, using which ultimately, we need to reach to a state where we can “leave” the pole i.e the state, to be one with all.

Who is knowing whom?

• Question discussed: Is the pseudo “I” knowing the Brahman OR Brahman knowing the Brahman

itself?

• The Sukshma Shareera (subtle body), is the one which is trying to realize the TRUTH. Due to all impurities from Vasanas, this Sukshma Shareera isn’t able to know it’s real identity, which is not different than the Brahman.

What do you meditate upon?

•  Question discussed: What is it to be in a meditative state?
•  Meditation is not doing but being. Anything which we try to do as Upasana, meditation and so on, all have “doing” associated with them
• However, being in meditative state is to be in a balanced/composed state where you are aware of your true nature as Brahman and anything that you are transacting within this world is also Brahman

Class Summary for Oct 03, 2021 - Kailvalya Upanishad - Slokas 7 & 8

Summarized by: Shivkumar.N

We started the class with a recap of the points from previous weeks class.

 

It was clarified that there was a misconception with regards to immortality. Immortality is not meant from perspective of the Body . Hence we have Pauranik stories where the asuras did penance and in return used to seek boon to live forever. Immortality is from perspective of realizing the SELF. One then gets out of the cycle of pseudo self namely identifying with this entity. Another word for Immortality is getting one with Brahman.

Few finer points discussed :

• Anything built of matter -'jada' will perish
• Immortality/Deathlessness is beyond that

• The experience of God Conciousness is termed thus in our sastras as the experience of Immortality

•  Just like a dog recognizes it is time to go out when its owner wears shoes similarly during Mediation one must train one self to clear one's mind by wearing the right clothes and having a specific place to meditate.
• However it is critical that one does not make it a golden chain and state that they cant meditate due to lack of their surrounding or clothes.
• Remember the goal is to get to a state that is Adhbutam. E.g : Picture of Gurudev with wings.  

 

We then chanted verses 7 and 8

In verse 5-6 we had discussed comprehending the formless ' Nirguna Upasana'. In verse 7-8 we get Saguna Upasana of Lord Siva (described beautifully as the Source of the World, the Witness of All and Beyond all the Darkness) with his consort Uma. Similar to Bhagvad gita in this Upanishad too the Guru starts his explanation at the Highest point first.

Verse 8 elaborates that Lord Siva represents every God . The interpretation being that all Gods come from Siva or Vishnu. We can call and represent out Ista Devta there or even imagine it as a Form of energy.

 

Theme

• In Nirguna Upasana is difficult then we can prepare our mind through Saguna Upasana. This is a precise preperation like a painter prepares his brush before painting eyes/iris or a brain surgeon prepares before a brain surgery
• Why 2 Entities : Goddess Uma and Lord Siva are depicted here to remind us of the balance between Purusha and Prakriti, or the Spiritual and the Material
• Lord Siva is referenced here to remind us
• One who is always in meditation
• One with 3rd eye
• Our eyes are like  Sun , Moon and Agni (from 3rd eye that destroys Ignorance)
• One who is the Lord of destruction of Ignorance this helping us reach Knowlege
• One with a blue neck reminding us that like Lord Siva swallowed the poison during the Sagara Mantan we too must keep the vasanas in our neck between the heart and the brain thereby not influening both. The churning is between the lower mind and higher mind. The mountain represents our intellect and snake represents our Ego.
• Hinduism has many such symbolism which we may not always understand at time of listening but as time goes by it will make sense. Thus Sagara Manthan is a materialistic story with above abstract illustrates the Vedanta point
• The Lord and his consort is a reminder to be balanced while continuing on spiritual path
• Remember this journey is not of hours/days/weeks or years but of lifetimes
• Bhakti is needed be it Karma or Jnana Yoga
• Meditation is no action . Its all at a mind level. Even doing puja etc is Karma Yoga
• We are steeped in Dvaita and even when we think of Vishwa Roopa we think of the Lord and us (seperate entity)
• End of day distinctions do not matter . It does not matter the path that is choosen Karma or Bhakti or Gnyan Yoga . It does not matter if we do  Saguna or Nirguna Upasana. At some point we need to realize that whatever form I pray too and in whichever form essentially i am praying to Brahman\
• Om Tat Sat

Class Summary for Oct 03, 2021 - Kailvalya Upanishad - Slokas 1 - 6

Summarized by: Shilpa Sail 

Started the class with meditation as it helps us to calm our mind and preps us for the class. 

Discussed the following- What is the Ultimate knowledge -> Brahma Vidya 

We have to find out the way to find ourselves and for that, we have to learn to find the real self. 

Verse 3 - Immortality cannot be gained by work, nor by progeny, nor wealth, but by renunciation of attachment to worldly objects. Higher than heaven and seated in the innermost cave of the intellect, It shines; that which the self-controlled sages can attain. 

An individual cannot obtain ultimate knowledge by giving up all this wealth /buy the ultimate knowledge or by having kids who can impart that knowledge to the individual or by performing Karma yoga 

It can only be acquired by practicing renunciation. Which is acquired by the sages; it is inside us we just have to discover it. 

During purna kumbham, when a Swamiji is invited to perform yagna. The Swamiji is welcomed with amantra. The starting part of that mantra is this particular shloka. Swamis have given up their worldly life, but this shloka is a reminder that don't get attached to any materialistic possessions in the venue. You have already renounced worldly life and received the knowledge by vairagya, so don't get attached to anything. As there is a chance that they might get attached to the materialistic things in the venue. 

Verse 4: 

Using the path of renunciation, the seekers/bhaktas that are pure in mind can gain the world of Brahma. They gain the highest level of moksha or liberation from everything. If karma does not get you the Ultimate knowledge 

Then why should you do Karma yoga? Karma yoga is a preparatory step. It is a starting step to get the BMI ready for it. These initial steps are required to get to the ultimate goal. We have to practice renunciation by dropping our identification with the BMI. We have to perform the renunciation with the sannyasa yoga mentality that is detached from the materialistic or worldly objects and attach to the Niraguna form of the Lord. We have to detach ourselves from the vasanas. 

Story - Once there was a sage and he was meditating in a cave. Locals from the nearby village used to go to him for pravachan. There was a monkey who used to be in the cave and he used to make alot of noise. All the villagers used to get disturbed by the noise of the monkey. The sage said he was not disrupted, but the villagers were annoyed by the monkey. 

One day the villagers bought a pot with a narrow neck and filled it with grains. The monkey came and put his hand to take the grains. The monkey was stuck as his hand had grains in his fist. The villagers used this situation to beat the monkey. The monkey was stuck so the villagers continuously beat the monkey. Finally, the monkey let the grains go so he could escape. 

The sage was watching the events unfold. The villagers were happy. The sage asked the villagers what lesson did you learn They said by beating the monkey he ran away. The sage corrected them and said the real lesson learned is - The monkey was able to break free by letting go of the grains he was holding. 

In the same way, we have to let go of our worldly possession then we can break free ourselves. 

A meditative state should be like walking. Walking comes naturally to us, the same way we have to attain the meditative state. A guru can help only to a certain point. They can impart the knowledge, but to imbibe the knowledge and practice it needs effort from the student. 

Verse 5 & 6 

An accomplished individual can meditate anywhere anytime. For beginners, one has to start small and get attuned to the process. To help an individual meditate the following guidelines are provided. Choose a location that is clean and isolated so there is no disturbance. Choose a time that is convenient. Though mornings are preferred as the mind is not disturbed/agitated due to the activities of the day. The location and the individual both should be clean so the mind is not distracted. Some individuals prefer having a meditation dress so they are comfortable and also helps the mind prepare for meditation. 

The posture is important. Make sure the head, neck, and body should be in a straight line. Be quiet and very alert. 

In sleep, we are only quiet not alert. 

*Note - Don't sleep during meditation. Meditation is not falling asleep. Meditation is a state just before falling asleep. 

In Sanyasaa yoga mode that is the mind should be free of any activities or daily transactions. There will be a lot of thoughts that will divert one's attention from meditation. Focus on the inner self. All the thoughts about daily activities or transactions, past interactions have to be consciously kept in check and let go. The process of meditation makes an individual very alert. 

An analogy provided is we need to reach the center of a circle. There are various paths to reach the center of the circle. The center is the Ultimate knowledge; to reach there various paths like Saguna Upasana, chanting, breathing, om chanting will help us move towards the Ultimate state. The path taken to reach the center doesn't matter. 

The ultimate state is the Adbhuta state; something that cannot be explained or imagined or described. It is beyond that and that's the state we are striving for.

Class Summary for Sep 26, 2021 - Kailvalya Upanishad - Introduction

 Summarized by: Meera Chari

• Intro to Hindu scriptures and texts

• 4 vedas and several upanishads classified under them

• Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana

• Kaivalya Upanishad is part of the Atharvana Veda, and is considered as a minor upanishad.

10 mukhya / major upanishads that Sankaraacharya wrote his commentary on

1. the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

2. the Chandogya Upanishad

3. the Aitareya Upanishad

4. the Taittiriya Upanishad

5. the Kena Upanishad

6. the Isha Upanishad

7. the Katha Upanishad

8. the Mundaka Upanishad

9. the Prashna Upanishad

10. and the Mandukya Upanishad.

Each Veda has 3 sections -

Mantras - extremely limited poems, prayers to the lord Rituals - vast section Spiritual knowledge = Mystic literature = upanishad (beyond Rituals) = Veda antha

Kaivalya Upanishad

• Discussion about understanding the contemplation format of Kaivalya Upanishad

• Groupings within the 26 verses in Kaivalya Upanishad

Slokas 1 - 3	Basics
Slokas 4 - 7	Paths to Liberation
Slokas 8 - 11	Equanimity
Slokas 12 - 14	Constant behind our 3 states
Slokas 15 - 19	Ultimate Root or Cause
Slokas 20 - 24	Real ME - Identity
Slokas 25 - 26	Fruits of Realization

• Listening / chanting to the verses (from the recording)

• Invocation prayer

Prays for us to be in sync and ready to receive this knowledge. The sense organs tuned to receive the knowledge, and the mind focussed, with blessing with the various devas.

• Verse 1 - Chanting

Meaning - The advanced student is asking the teacher to teach about “Science of reality”

• Verse 2 - Chanting

Meaning

Emphasis on Shraddha, Bhakthi and Dyanam

Teacher responds to the student to learn by experience. The answer is within us. 

It is about Journey into oneself.

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Summarized by: Shailesh Vyas

Started with meditation, anulom vilom.

Kaivalaya Upnishad -

• - Kaivalya Upanishad is part of Atharva Veda.
• - There are contradictions between Upnishads, so it's important to learn from Guru.
• - Kaivalaya is made up from a word “Kaival” which means “only”. It implies one and only "Brahman”.
  
• - Kaivalya Upanishad is considered as one of the minor Upanishad.
• - Major or Minor doesn't mean more or less important, it means there is more work done by saints (like Adi Sankaracharya) available on major Upanishads.
• - List of Major Upanishads (in no particular order ... copied from internet) -
•     Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
•     Chandogya Upanishad.
•     Taittiriya Upanishad.
•     Aitareya Upanishad.
•     Kena Upanishad.
  
•     Katha Upanishad.
•     Isha Upanishad.
•     Prasana Upanishad
•     Manduka Upanishad
•     Mandukya Upanishad
• - Most Upnishads start with a Q & A format.
• - Kaivalya Upanishad is a conversation between a learned student and his Guru. This conversation assumes basic knowledge like BMI etc, so it starts as a learned conversation.
  
• - Index
• Chapter 1 - 3 - Basics
• Chapter 4 - 7 - Path to Liberation
• Chapter 8 - 11 - Equanimity
• Chapter 12 -14 - Constant behind our 3 states
• Chapter 15 - 19 - Ultimate root or cause
• Chapter 20 -24 - Real me - Identity
• Chapter 25 - 26 - Fruits of Realization.

Invocation -

We are praying to Brahman to make our senses ready.

What is auspicious with our ears, may we hear always o ye Gods;

Worship ones, may with our eyes see always what is auspicious;

May we live the entire length of our allotted life hale and hearty;

Offering our praises unto thee!

Bless us, O Lord Indra, the ancient and the famous;

Bless us, O Pooshan (the Sun), the all knowing;

Bless us, O Vayu, the Lord of swift motion who saves us from all harms;

And bless us, O Brihaspati who protects the spiritual wealth in us!

Theme - 

• - This prayer is to appeal to God to give us the matching frequency/wavelength to understand the teaching.
• - Also to give us the peace within us, so we can focus.
• - The prayer is also to help control my senses.
• - This is also asking for a healthy and strong body (til the destined time), so I can learn and serve.
• - Keep in mind, we are not asking to live forever, this prayer is to keep me healthy enough that I can finish this book.
• - Prayer to Sun, since it is the nourisher of all and everything.
• - Prayer to the wind, since it moves air and removes impurities/diseases.
• - Yatha drishti, tatha Srishti.
• e.g. We discussed Hanuman ji and Eknath ji's story where they end up in a discussion that the flower in Lanka was white or Red. Hanuman ji saw the flower as red instead of white. Rama resolved the conversation by saying when Hanumanji visits Lanka, his Rajas Guna was heavy so he saw flowers colorful. Red represents Rajas guna, White represents Satava guna.

Shloka 1 - 

"Om athasvalayano bhagavantam parameshtinam upasametyovaca”

Translation -

Om, with that let us begin. There was a student named Asvalanyana.

He revered Lord Paramesthi, the creator, and he approached and spoke to him.

Teach me, O revered Sir, the highest “Science of Reality”, said to be the highest secret guarded always by good people by which all sins are soon discarded and supreme self is reached by wise, discarding all sins, can reach the highest ‘Purusa’.

Shloka 2 - 

“tasmai sa hovaca pitamahasca -“

“Sraddha-bhakti-hyanayogad-avaihi"

Translation -

To him, Grandsire Brahma said.

Faith, Devotion and Meditation by combination of these, you may know the goal.

Shrawanam (implies Devotion), Mananam (implies Faith), Nidhidhyasam (implies Meditation)

Discussion -

• - How can we attain Brahman with knowledge? Not by identifying with the body.
• - Brahman vidya = Science of Reality (Ultimate truth).
• - Term secret doesn’t mean this knowledge cannot be shared with others. It means it is the knowledge which will be beyond comprehension until it is given by experienced teacher.
• - Lord Brahma knows both states (before realization and after).
• e.g. If a chef is cooking a sweet dish, he knows both the beginning and the end state.
• - Interesting aspect -
• - Student is asking to teach and the teacher is saying it requires a lot more from you than just teaching. It requires Faith, Devotion, Meditation.
• - This cannot be just taught, its realization journey.
• - Realization requires removal of ignorance (Maya) and Faith, Devotion and Meditation helps in attaining that.

Ended class with Meditation.

Class Summary for June 06, 2021 - BG - Q&A session with Swamiji

Summarized by: Shailesh Vyas

Started with meditation, anulom vilom.

Initial Q&A -

• Book recommendation for Summer class - Living Vedanta, Vedanta Cintanam by Swami Tejomayananda

Q&A with Swami Shantananda Ji

• Ques - What is free will? How does it relate to God's grace or God's will, our vasanas and prarabdha? Do we really have a free will?

Swamiji's Answer - Yes, we have free will. Animals are not given a choice. Your Prarabhdha takes you to satsang but how/what you do with it is your free will. You can sleep or not participate or you participate and apply it practically in your life.

God's grace is always there. It is like Sunlight, it's always there. BIrth/death/marriage are governed by Prarabhdha, but you have free will. You can change Prarabdha. If you always rely on Prarabdha and do not execute free will then there is no hope, it's laziness to just rely on Prarabdha.

• Ques - Who really owns the actions? Isn't there some doership with this ownership?

Swamiji's Answer - All of it is owned by Ahamkara/ego. 

• Ques - How to practice "Sakshi bhava" in the current world or life?

Swamiji's Answer - Sakshi Bhava should be practiced through meditation, you have to watch your mind/thoughts. Slowly you will be able to watch it on a regular day. Without practice, we recognize ourselves with thoughts.

• Ques - It seems that to fully understand Bhagavad Gita, we should first believe in Prarabdha and Re-birth. Why is it so?

Swamiji's Answer - ReBirth is with Karma theory. That which is born will die and one who has died will be born again. Cycle of birth/re-birth is there.

How each one is born with different parents or male/female, it's not all random. Karma Theory is given to us to understand it. It's like a gravitational force, we have to accept it.

• Ques - What should be the goal of our Jiva aatma in this current life?

Swamiji's Answer - Goal is to realize true nature. Reflected Consciousness is Jivatama. It's like when Original consciousness is reflected in the body/mind, it's called Jivatma and Goal of Jivatma is to realize original consciousness.

• Ques - Why was the Gita started with Arjuna assuming that he is going to win the war and kill all his enemies. In real life we are always not in the same starting position (i.e. going to win).

Swamiji's Answer - It should be the attitude of everyone that he/she will win. Arjun had all the qualifications. In Chapter 13, Arjun single handedly defeated all Kauravas. He collected blessings and missiles from heaven/Shiva/Kuber.

He was fighting a dharmik war. This boosts confidence.

• Ques - What are the ways in current life to burn Sanchit Karma?

Swamiji's Answer - Only through practice of meditation. In the heat of meditation, seeds of vasans are roasted. Surrender is the biggest way. Surrender your ego to the Lord. Sharanagati.

• Ques - Does God really know the future of our world and each one of us? If so, why can't he prevent Bad from happening?

Swamiji's Answer - God is beyond Good/bad, likes/dislikes. If there is a calamity, it's total Karma in play. Historically when anything goes bad, all devatas used to pray to Lord Vishnu, it happens due to total mind. So Prayer helps in such situations. The Lord usually will not interfere. If it's too much, he comes down to balance. 

yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham

• Ques - Isn't ego the one choosing?

Swamiji's Answer - Ego is misunderstanding. It is not real. What is real is Atama, everything else is misunderstanding, the more you are giving weightage to ego the more you are mis-identifying yourself. 

• Ques - In the 11th Chapter, Krishna shows Arjuna the entire war. Krishna could see the future, if it is will based how can it see?

Swamiji's Answer - We are the only instrument in his hand, we can't comprehend his true power.

• Ques - Where does free will reside? Intellect? Who empowers it?

Swamiji's Answer - Purushartha should be used for Moksha. It can only be gained if you exercise free will. It resides in intellect and is empowered by the Lord.

• Ques - Isn't Buddhi also governed by Vasanas?

Swamiji's Answer - You are going into a vicious circle. How to choose is your samskara. Choices are not tainted, how you choose is tainted.

God gave Duryodhana a choice, he succumbed to it. He never thought of changing himself. If you say I am helpless it doesn't work.

Post Swamiji's Session Discussion notes 

• There are certain questions that are in a vicious cycle. We need to annihilate them. Its like Chicken and egg. There is no debate about not having an answer.
• Both dvaita and advaita are 95% the same, they differ by less than 5%.
• Stick to Advaita. "I" in BMI is the most subtle. When you deviate more you start rejecting all theories.
• Choices are not tainted but how you choose is tainted. e.g. We miss a turn, turn is always there but your conscience is clouded. Taint is not on a choice, it's on us.
• In Chapter 11, God is saying Everybody is in me, why are you worried who is going to be killed.
• Calamities happen due to collective mind.
• Duroyodhana had a choice between Krishna and the Army. He chose the army instead of Krishna. It was his free will.
• Lord is like a gas in a car. It's on you how you drive and where you drive, ditch v/s good path.
• Water is coming equally to everyone, if your faucet is blocked it's not water's fault.
• We cannot guide others. This is all about your journey.
• Q - Kids will not learn all of this knowledge till 20-25, does it create bondage? Don't worry it's part of their package.

Om tat sat iti Srimad-Bhagavad-Gitaasu Upanisatsu brahma vidyayam yoga saastre Sri Krishnaarjuna samvade Karma Sannyasa yogo naama panchamo'dhyaayah||

Ended class with Meditation and Summary of class.