FAQ

What is Vedanta? What is the role of Vedanta in our life?
Vedanta is a sanskrit word, consisting of 2 words, veda and anta. Veda means knowledge and Anta means end or culmination. Therefore Vedanta means end of knowledge.
Role of Vedanta -
(i) knowledge helps to develop intellect, gain clarity, person becomes productive and successful.
(ii) renders the mind unselfish, person attains peace.
What is Jnanam or true Knowledge?
All human beings possess knowledge of outside world, a person who has knowledge of oneself, where did he come from, what is the purpose of life and where is he going, possesses true Knowledge.
Knowledge with which ; one sees unity in diversity, one possesses universal love, irrespective of color or race or creed or religion. Such a person possesses true Knowledge.
Who is a human being? What is Body - Mind and Intellect?
A human being is a composite personality of Spirit and matter. Spirit is the enlivening principle, the life principle. Called in sanskrit as Atman. Loosely translated as God. Matter is physical body, mind and intellect.
Just as without petrol no vehicle can move, without the life principle no humanbeing can function, however brilliant or dumb he is.
Physical body perform actions. Mind is the seat of likes and dislikes, it feels various emotions and intellect is the faculty which reasons, discriminates, thinks and judges.
What is the difference between Intellect and Intelligence?
We gain intelligence from external sources, from text books. An intelligent person is well-informed in one or more subjects. Intelligence does not develop an intellect.
eg. a person is intelligent in politics, business, sports, music, painting, dancing etc.
This does not make a person an intellectual. One needs an intellect to think, plan and program one's life.
How do we develop Intellect?
Intellect can be developed by independent or original thinking, free reasoning. Never accept anything for granted, question. Question what you meet in life, from where have you picked up these likes and dislikes, desires or emotions etc.
Question on higher values of life. Question the truths, facts of life.
Why is there so much stress and strain of life? Why so much sorrow and suffering in the world today?
Constant exercising of this faculty of thinking develops the intellect.
What is the Mind? What is the nature of Mind?
Mind is the seat of
- likes and dislikes - like to eat sweets, dislike that person etc.
- emotions both positive and negative - love, hatred, anger, jealousy, envy, fear
- desires - both constructive and destructive - to be a millionaire, to be good looking, to be peaceful, to be knowledgeable, to be spiritual etc.
Nature of mind
Worry about the past - anxiety of unborn future - nervousness in the present
This saps the energy, causes mental and physical fatigue
Why does one commit crime, even though one knows it is wrong?
It is desire that makes the person commit crime, it is all-consuming and all-sinful
Chronology of action
Vasana - thought - desire - action
Gross physical action arises from a desire, desire arises from a thought and thought originates from a vasana
Ravana, Duryodhana, Macbeth, Othello - What is common in all these personalities? What do we learn from them?
Two powerful motivating factors for a human being - wealth and women.
Wealth means acquisition and women means enjoyment
Ravana - to acquire and enjoy Sita
Duryodhana - jealousy, to acquire and enjoy Pandavas wealth
Macbeth - thought to become king, killed King Duncan
Othello - jealousy, doubting one's spouse, Desdemona
Question, think, discriminate on the thought, proceed if it accepts your logic, otherwise reject the thought.
What are the consequences of disregarding the Intellect?
Actions propelled by mind are called impulsive actions and
Actions propelled by intellect are called discriminative actions.
Different types of person are
Sane person - Emotional person - Eccentric person - Hysterical person - Insane
Mind becomes destructive
Develops ego and complexes
Get attached to things and beings
Follow blind beliefs and superstitions
Does Meditation and Yoga exercises help people develop an Intellect and lead a stress free life?
Yoga is a physical exercise, it can develop only the body. Meditation is a technique of concentrating the mind on a chosen thought. Only a trained and qualified mind can meditate.
To reduce stress - lead a disciplined life style, systematic time frame activity
What is the root cause for the financial melt down? Why is there so much stress, strain and unhappiness in the world today?
Root cause for financial loss is greed.
Stress is defined as mental agitations caused by unfulfilled desires. Stress is internal not caused by external sources.
Unreasonable expectations - disappointments - mental agitations - mental stress
Vast majority of people are selfish, hence unhappiness and bitterness
How can we bring about peace and prosperity? What is the spirit of working together?
Monotonous activity leads a person to unhappiness/stress - feels like taking a break, waits for weekends and vacations.
Work for a cause, a purpose, which is beyond ego and egocentric desires.
Different types of person are
Do not accept anything for granted, think, use your intellect. With application of intellect one becomes productive and prosperous. Unselfishness brings peace.
Concept of yajna - maximum work and minimum profit
How can we increase the morale of people?
Eg. - movie - Chak De India, how can we bring in change
Change the perception from personal to impersonal angle
      Look at the present scenario from a global perspective
      Do not brood - strive and struggle in the present
      Never be result oriented
Commitment to an ideal, work for a common goal
Objectivity - dispassionate passion
What is our role in the revival?
Start thinking, develop intellect, take in higher values of life, try to apply them in daily walk of life. Keep moving, do not stagnate.
Raise yourself by yourself and set examples for others to follow.