Gita Discussions #14 - Sadhana Chatushtaya

In this episode 'from seekers to seekers' we discuss the following: - Sadhana Chatushtaya (four folded qualifications) - Vivek, Vairagya, Shama-dama-di, Mumukshu - Meaning of antahkarana - Vivek - atma /anatma: subject /object distinction - Vairagya - if we do it forcefully, it will come back with vengeance Shama - quieting the mind Dama - reducing external influence Uparati - to observe more of internally what is happening. introspection. Titiksha - endurance - is taking the medium path. Sraddha - faith in scriptures; vedanta does not expect you to have blind faith. Samadhan - one pointedness focus on the goal - to be focussed on the Brahman Mumukshutvam - the desire for liberation - different people have different ideas of what liberation means. We take a good digression into gunas - sattva, rajas, tamas and how they are related to Sadhana Chatushtaya from a practical point of view - The advantages of waking up early in the day to experience Sattvic energy The advantages of learning the scriptures with a better knowledge of Sanskrit, Hindi Power of mantras and some powerful anecdotes of names in Sanskrit which have a beautiful etymological root. Finally, we practice verse 2 of Nirvanashatakam lead by Alpana's excellent chanting.