The oneness of all existence is the message which Vedanta teaches. The Upanishads form the basis of Vedanta. It is the science that raises us above the plane of bondage and suffering and shows the path to freedom. Vedanta reveals the essential nature of the self which is ever free and blissful. The study of Vedanta frees us from all limiting ideas about oneself and the world.

Course contents:

• Lesson 1: The nature of bondage and its cause, freedom from bondage and its means:
  • Samsara and the Karma bandha or bondage of karma
  • The process of bondage:
    • Avidya – ignorance
    • Adhyasa – superimposition of the Atma and Anatma or Self and non-Self.
    • Adhyaroopa – superimposition of the limitations of the mind and the body on the Self.
    • Ahamkara – egoism – the limited sense of Self.
    • Karma – desires, actions and their fruits as pleasure and pain.
  • Three types of Karma:
    • Sanchita or accumulated karma
    • Prarabdha or present life karma
    • Agami karma or fresh karma
    • Analysis of the goals of life.

• Lesson 2: The four means of liberation and Vedantic sadhana of self inquiry:
  • Viveka – discrimination
  • Vairagya – dispassion
  • Sat Sampat – Six virtues related to mind control
  • Mumukshutva – Intense longing for liberation
  • Vicharana or self-inquiry:
    • Sravana – listening.
    • Manana – reflecting
    • Nididhyasana – deep meditation of the Self.

• Lesson 3: Brahman or ultimate reality – its essential nature and its being the foundation of the individual and creation:
  • Swaroopa lakshanam: the essential nature of Brahman as Satyam Jnanam Anantam (existence, knowledge and infinitude).
  • Brahman being the foundation of the individual.
  • Brahman being the foundation of creation.
• Lesson 4: Maya and the projection of the world-appearance:
  A study of the process of Adhyaroopa or superimposition by which creation appears real.
• Lesson 5: Ignorance, superimposition and the five sheaths:
  A study of how false identity emerges with the five sheets and the process of negation or neti – neti:
  • Annamaya kosha – food sheath.
  • Pranamaya kosha – vital sheath.
  • Manomaya kosha – mental sheath.
  • Vijnanamaya kosha – intellect sheath.
  • Anandamaya kosha – bliss sheath.
• Lesson 6: The Vedantic proclamations of the highest truth – part 1:
  • Prajnanam brahma – Consciousness is Brahman.
  • Aham brahmasmi – I am Brahman.
  • Tattvamasi – That thou art.
• Lesson 7: The Vedantic proclamations of the highest truth – part 2:
  • Ayam atma brahma – This Atman is Brahman.
  • Sarvam khalvidam brahma – All this, indeed, is Brahman
• Lesson 8: The nature of the Jnani or knower of the Self.