From Dogma to Direct Experience: The Practical Power of Vedanta

Most people live their lives filled with noise, dogma, and contradiction, making sense of life a challenging task. They have unanswered questions, such as, “Who am I?” or “What’s the point of all this?” They are either caught up in beliefs and rituals, have no inclination to engage with such questions, or, due to their beliefs, are afraid to question traditions, or simply too busy to stop and think.

Religions and ideologies claim to offer answers, but more often than not, they leave us confused and divided. They demand belief, but fail to encourage true understanding.

Vedanta is not another belief system. It offers a unique method – a way of seeing – that helps you distinguish between what is real and what is assumed. It doesn’t require blind faith. Instead, it invites you to look within and engage with your own direct experience.

The power of Vedanta lies in…READ ON SUBSTACK

The Harmful Effects of Anger: Understanding Its Life Cycle and the Path to Peace

Mark Twain once said, “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” Anger never solves any problem or worry; rather, it makes us more stressed. It starts controlling our emotions and intelligence, and eventually leads us to self destruction.

To comprehend the full extent of anger’s impact, it’s essential to understand its life cycle. Anger often begins with attachment, a sense of entitlement, or envy. This metamorphosis is eloquently described in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Shlokas SBG 2:62-63:

Srimad Bhagavad Gita: 2:62-63 “A person who thinks of sense objects develops an attachment for them. From this attachment, desires are born and from desires, anger is born.
Anger gives birth to delusion and this delusion results in confusion of memory. When memory is confused, intelligence is destroyed, and from the destruction of intelligence, the person perishes.”

SBG 2:62-63

The Metamorphosis of Anger

Attachment: It all begins with the mind dwelling on sense objects. When we repeatedly think about something, we develop an attachment to it.
Desire: From attachment arises desire—the longing to possess or achieve what we are attached to.
Anger: When our desires are unfulfilled or obstructed, anger arises. This anger can be towards oneself, others, or circumstances.
Delusion: Anger clouds our judgment, leading to delusion. We start seeing things in a distorted manner, unable to perceive reality accurately.
Confusion of Memory: Delusion confuses our memory. We forget our principles, values, and past experiences that guide us in making rational decisions.
Destruction of Intelligence: With a confused memory, our intelligence, the ability to reason and discriminate, is destroyed.
Perdition: The final stage is the total destruction of the person. A life led by anger is a life of turmoil, leading to self-destruction.

The Solution: Vedanta

Vedanta offers a profound solution to the problem of anger and other mental afflictions. The Srimad Bhagavad Gita, a cornerstone of Vedanta, provides timeless wisdom to overcome anger and attain peace. By understanding and applying its teachings, we can transform our lives.

The Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the panacea for all mental problems, fears, worries, and confusions that stem from a lack of clarity or emotional thinking. It guides us to live a life of balance, understanding, and inner peace.

Acquire Your Copy of the ‘Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering’

Embark on a transformative journey with the ‘Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering by Tavamithram.’ Complete it in a bit more than three hours—about the same time as watching a Bollywood movie! Choose from paperback, audiobook, and ebook versions, and let the timeless wisdom of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita bring clarity and peace to your life.