Tag: Mandukya Upanishad

Self-Enquiry in Advaita Vedanta: What Remains?

Posted on by Tavamithram Sarvada

Sometimes you identify with your body and say, ‘I look good,’ ‘I am fat,’ ‘I am getting old,’ ‘I am sick.’ Other times, you identify with your mind and say, ‘I am excited,’ ‘I am depressed,’ ‘I am angry.’ When life is going well, you say you have a great life, and when you feel low, you say your life is terrible.

Your body changes. Your mind changes. Your story changes.

What are you, then, when everything you call yourself keeps changing?

Give me less than ten minutes.

1: You Are Not the Body

The body is known.

You see it and feel it; you watch it change. It was small once. It is different now. One day it will be frail and unrecognisable. It has never stopped changing since the moment it appeared.

Now, here is the question: can the known be the knower? Obviously not.

You have a body. But you are not the body.

2: You Are Not the Mind

Thoughts appear and disappear. Anger arrives and leaves. Fear comes and goes. Even the silence between thoughts comes and goes.

So, if everything in the mind is passing through, what are you? You are the one in whom all of it is happening. The knower of the mind cannot be the mind. You are not the thought. You are not the thinker. You are what remains when the noise stops.

3: You Are Not Your Story

Your name was given to you by others. Your past is memory. Your identity is a collection of recorded experiences that the mind calls “mine.”

Stop at that word. Mine.

You say “my childhood,” “my pain,” “my reputation,” “my achievement,” and even “my life”! If it is “my,” it is not the final “I.” The story is known. You are not the story.

4: What Remains?

When the body is set aside as known, when the mind is set aside as known, when the story is set aside as known, what is left?

Awareness. Not a theory, not a religious claim, not something you need to practise into existence. It is the simple, undeniable fact of knowing. Before thought, it is there. During thought, it is there. After thought fades, it is still there.

You do not create it. You have simply been overlooking it.

That is what you are.

5: Why Suffering Begins

Now look at this carefully.

The body changes, and fear begins. The mind changes, and confusion begins. People’s opinions shift, and insecurity begins. Circumstances move, and anxiety begins.

Why? Because you placed yourself inside what was changing. You took the known to be the knower. You took the passing story to be the real “I.”

That single error is the entire root of human suffering. Not sin. Not karma. Not fate. One misidentification. That is bondage.

6: Do Not Turn This Into Another Idea

At this point, the mind may try to grab the teaching and convert it into a new identity.

“I am awareness.” “I know Vedanta.” “I understand Brahman.” “I am beyond the body and mind.”

Careful.

That may only be the ego wearing new clothes.

Vedanta is not a sentence to repeat. It is not a badge. It is not a spiritual status.

The question is not whether you can say “I am awareness.” The question is whether you still collapse when the body is criticised, the mind is disturbed, the story is threatened, or your image is insulted.

That is where the enquiry becomes real.

7: What Vedanta Actually Does

Vedanta does not hand you a new belief to replace the old one.

It removes error.

You already are the awareness because of which the body, the mind, the thought, the memory, and the entire world are known. Vedanta does not manufacture this truth. It exposes the confusion that has been covering it.

It does not say, “Become something else.” It says, “See clearly what you have been mistaking yourself for.” Nothing is added. Everything false is removed.

8: What Brahman Actually Means

Brahman is not a bearded ‘god’ above the clouds. Not a cosmic authority watching from a throne.

Brahman is the reality because of which anything is known at all. The body appears in it. The mind moves in it. The world arises in it. Even this moment of reading or listening is happening because of it.

Not an object to be reached. Not a reward to be earned. It is the ground that is already here, making all experience possible.

9: What Liberation Actually Means

Liberation is not escape to another world. It is not joining an ashram, acquiring a title, or becoming someone others regard as spiritually elevated.

Liberation is the collapse of the central error.

The body continues to act. The mind continues to think. Life continues with all its weight and texture. But the root mistake is gone: the belief that “I am this body-mind story” is gone.

Once that error is genuinely seen, and not merely understood as an interesting idea, life stops being driven by fear, vanity, and borrowed identity.

10: Final Strike

Do not believe me.

See it.

Everything you have ever called “I” has been known. The body, known. The mind, known. The story, known. The fear, the desire, and the confusion, all known.

You are the knower. You have never been the known.

That is Vedanta.

No costume. No institution. No borrowed holiness. No performance.

If the false “I” survives this enquiry untouched, nothing has happened. Sorry. But if the false “I” collapses, Vedanta has done its work.

Costume cannot replace clarity. Institution cannot replace enquiry. And no teacher has done the job if the false “I” walks out intact.

The special clothes were never the point. The real “I” was always the point.

The ‘I’ you have been protecting all your life was never you.

What you truly are has never been born, has never suffered, and has never needed saving.

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From Frustration to Fulfilment

Posted on by Tavamithram Sarvada

The Essential Guide to Overcoming Life’s Unfavourable Situations

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Breaking Free from the Cycle

Many of us find ourselves stuck in a cycle of complaining, brooding, and feeling generally dissatisfied with our circumstances. Whether it’s our job, relationships, or personal achievements, the tendency to ruminate on what’s wrong can be overwhelming. And yet, despite the temporary relief we might find in venting to a friend or relative, we often wake up the next day only to repeat the same routine, with nothing having changed. The question then arises: how can we expect change when we continue to do the same thing?

The Unproductive Cycle of Complaints

Complaining and brooding are natural human responses to dissatisfaction. It’s almost instinctual to express our frustrations when things don’t go as planned. However, these actions rarely lead to meaningful change. Instead, they often serve as a temporary release, a way to momentarily ease the pressure without addressing the underlying issues. As a result, we remain stuck in the same unfavourable situation, repeating the cycle day after day.

To break free from this cycle, it’s crucial to take a different approach—one rooted in clarity and action. The key lies in defining your problems and goals with precision. Let me take you back to my childhood to illustrate this point.

As a young boy, I was naturally curious and had a mechanical aptitude that drove me to understand how things worked. I was always eager to get to the bottom of things, refusing to accept anything at face value without clear evidence. When I was reprimanded by elders or teachers for my behaviour, I didn’t just accept the scolding. Instead, I wanted to know what I had done wrong and, more importantly, what I should do right. However, my requests for guidance were often met with silence or a cold stare, leaving me with unanswered questions.

This experience taught me a vital lesson: in any situation, if something is wrong, it’s essential to ask, “What is right?” This principle can be applied to any area of life:

  1. If you’re dissatisfied with your job, ask: What is my ideal job?
  2. If you don’t like your life, ask yourself: What would my ideal life look like?
  3. If you’re unhappy in a relationship, ask: What is the ideal relationship I want?

The Three-Step Approach to Change

Once you’ve asked these questions, the next step is to define your situation clearly. Here’s a practical approach:

  1. Identify What You Don’t Like and Why: Be specific about what bothers you. Is it the long hours at work, the lack of appreciation, or perhaps a feeling of being stuck? Understand the root cause of your dissatisfaction.

  2. Create a Clear Vision of What You Want: Visualise your ideal situation in detail. What does your perfect job look like? What qualities define your ideal relationship? Be as specific as possible, down to the finest details.

  3. Develop a Plan to Achieve Your Vision: Identify the steps you need to take to move from your current situation to your ideal one. This might involve learning new skills, making lifestyle changes, or even having difficult conversations. The key is to take actionable steps that lead you closer to your goal.

The Danger of Temporary Fixes

Many people, when faced with an unfavourable situation, seek quick fixes to ease their minds temporarily. Whether it’s pouring out your woes to a friend, closing your eyes and sitting under a tree or in a religious place, or even turning to substances, these methods offer only momentary relief. They don’t address the core issues and often lead to more frustration when the problem inevitably resurfaces.

Please always remember that if someone truly wants something, they will find a way to get it. Consider alcohol and substance addicts or those addicted to gambling—they always manage to obtain what they crave. If you feel you’ve been working hard with no improvement in your life, instead of adopting a victim or ‘poor me’ attitude, try to view it from another perspective. Perhaps your efforts are insufficient, misdirected, or lack proper direction.

Summing up and Learning to Take Control of Your Life

If you’re unhappy with your current situation, don’t waste time complaining or seeking temporary distractions. Instead, follow the steps I’ve outlined:

  1. Define your issue clearly.
  2. Visualise your ideal situation.
  3. Take actionable steps to achieve your vision.

By doing so, you’ll find that you have the power to transform your life into something truly fulfilling. These steps may seem simple, but they are profoundly effective—I speak from experience.

Never forget that many people don’t know exactly what they want. Complaining and feeling depressed require less effort than reflecting and strategising, which is why slipping into self-pity is so easy. For anything good and positive to materialise, there must first be a clear image in the mind. So, the next time you feel the urge to complain or brood, make sure you know exactly what you want.

Real change begins with a clear definition of your goals and a commitment to taking action.

A Mind-Bending Voyage

Posted on by Tavamithram Sarvada

Experience the Vastness and Awesomeness of Existence

Reality, Perception, and the Awakening of Consciousness

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After a decade away, I found myself standing once more in front of the house where I had lived until I was 11. This was the place where my sister and I used to walk to school, hand in hand, through green fields, joyfully crossing a small brook along the way. But as I stood there, I was struck by how different everything seemed. The street that once seemed so long and wide now appeared short and narrow. The house, which I remembered as spacious, looked small. The distance to my school, which had once felt like a great journey, now seemed trivial.

What had happened? When I left Poona, I was 11 years old. Now, I was 21. I had grown taller, and my perspective had shifted. The distances and proportions I held in my mind were relative to my height and understanding as a child.

This experience confirmed a profound truth: what we call reality is shaped entirely by our perception. When I was a child, my world seemed vast. As an adult, returning to that same world, it appeared small and contained. The reality I perceived at 11 was not an absolute truth—it was a reflection of my limited perception at that time.

This realisation extends far beyond childhood memories. It speaks to the very nature of our existence and the limitations we impose upon ourselves. Those who are deluded into believing they are merely their bodies, confined by irrational religious beliefs and paralysed by the fear of defying some ‘heavenly figure’, are trapped in a narrow reality. Their consciousness is limited, their minds blocked by layers of fear, dogma, and superstition.

But imagine if they could step out of these mental prisons—if they could free themselves from the beliefs that restrict their consciousness and their ability to think freely. They would rise above these illusions and delusions, and experience the ultimate truth of their existence: the realisation of their true SELF as subjective awareness, which is formless and, once not mentally limited to the body, is all-pervading.

This is the essence of the awakening journey—transcending the childish beliefs, religions, cults, and sects that confine us, and attaining the highest state of understanding. It is a journey from the narrow confines of perception to the boundless expanses of consciousness.

Take this fascinating virtual flight through space to the end of the observable universe and back. As you do, realise the vastness and awesomeness of existence. Let it inspire you to rise above the illusions that bind you and to reach for that highest state of awareness where the ultimate truth resides, far beyond the constructs of human beliefs.

The Journey Within: Exploring Vedanta and Self-Realisation

Posted on by Tavamithram Sarvada

From Illusion to Insight

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Exploring the Depths of Vedanta

Ever since I began my blog and YouTube channel in 2014, my mission has been to inspire individuals to delve deeper into the profound teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta. These ancient philosophies offer timeless wisdom that can guide us towards self-realisation and inner peace.

In our modern world, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and distractions of daily life. However, the teachings of Vedanta provide a path to clarity and understanding. By focusing on the principles of unity and non-duality, we can transcend superficial differences and connect with our true selves.

One of the most powerful aspects of Vedanta is its emphasis on inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge. This philosophy encourages us to ask questions and seek deeper truths, fostering personal growth and mental clarity.

In my next video, I will be discussing these themes in greater detail, exploring how Vedanta can help us lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives. Stay tuned for insights and practical applications that can transform your perspective and approach to life.

Join me as we embark on this journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. Let’s explore the depths of Vedanta together!

Beyond the Veil of Illusion – Unveiling the Atman and Exposing the Claims of a ‘DEATH EXPERT’!

Posted on by Tavamithram Sarvada

Unveiling the Ultimate Reality: Discover the Truth Behind Your Existence

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Have you ever found yourself pondering the nature of your existence, questioning the essence of who you are? Dive into a journey that promises to challenge your perceptions and reveal the profound truth hidden within your own being. Our latest video, “Beyond the Veil of Illusion: Unveiling the Atman and Exposing the Claims of a ‘DEATH EXPERT’!”, explores the depths of consciousness and the elusive concept of the Atman.

In this intriguing exploration, we delve into ancient wisdom and contemporary misconceptions, challenging common beliefs about the soul and self. The video introduces you to the fundamental principles of Vedanta and self-inquiry, drawing insights from revered texts like the Mandukya Upanishad and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

What if you could peel away the layers of illusion that obscure your true essence? Imagine discovering that the answers you seek are not in distant realms or spiritual leaders but within your very core.

Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about identity, existence, and the nature of reality. Why do some spiritual seekers chase after external validation when the truth lies within? How can understanding the Atman transform your perception of the world?

The video also takes a critical look at the claims made by so-called ‘death experts’ and spiritual mediums, challenging the prevalent myths about separate ‘souls’ or ‘atmas.’ Is it possible that these claims stem from a misunderstanding of what the Atman truly represents?

Join me on this enlightening journey to uncover the ultimate reality that transcends all illusions. Click the video below and embark on a path of self-discovery that might just change the way you see yourself and the world around you.