13. Nature of Self (Atma) & Meaning of Sat-Cit (Existence-Awareness) – BG 2.12

Lesson delves into the fundamental human search for lasting happiness and fulfillment, highlighting the challenges of finding contentment in a changing world.There are three core human needs: (a) freedom from time-bound existence, (b) freedom from ignorance, and (c) freedom from smallness. It explains why conventional pursuits fail to provide lasting satisfaction, using examples to illustrate the zero-sum nature of situational happiness.A prakriya (method) is introduced to distinguish between incidental and intrinsic attributes of the self. Finally, we see the intrinsic nature of the self (atman) is Sat-cit (Existence-Awareness), comparing it metaphorically to light on a stage which illumines everything without getting involved in what it lights up. See notes for this session at: https://www.yesvedanta.com/bg2/