Religion begins with a tremendous dissatisfaction with the present state of things, with our lives, and a hatred, an intense hatred, for this patching up of life

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This is the voice that is leading us forward. Man has heard it and is hearing it - all through the ages. This voice comes to man when everything seems to be lost, and hope has fled, when …

What is Mithya मिथ्या – unreal?

Mithya - मिथ्या - means unreal that which very much appears to be real but which is not real. When I look at the world, it appears as though the world can fulfill my desire of attaining immortality. The things and beings and achievements generally create this impression in me or may seem to give …

Theory of Evolution – from Amoeba to man to the Absolute ब्रह्मन्!

What is the theory of evolution? There are two factors: First, a tremendous potential power is trying to express itself, and secondly, circumstances are holding it down, its environment not allowing it to express itself. So in order to fight with this environment, the power takes new bodies again and again. An amoeba, in the …

What (Who) is शिव Shiva? Why the snake, the damru and the trident?

In this world, change is continuous. While destruction occurs in one part of the world, development occurs in another. Destruction and development are part of this universe. However, energy is essential to cause change. In fact, the whole universe is made up of energy. Our very bodies are floating in an ocean of energy, called …

Why do I need a teacher – guru – to learn Vedanta?

The Mundakopanisad [1-2-12] says, त्व्तद्‌विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगत्व्छेत्‌’ - ‘Tadvignãnãrtham sa gurumevãbhigachchhet’, to know brahman, one should go to a teacher. One should not pursue the contemplation of the self on one’s own. Explaining this verse, Sri Sankaracarya says, even if one is very learned, one should not independently pursue the enquiry into the nature of …