- LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM
July 14- September 15, 2022
Vedanta: Teachings from the Upanishads on the Essential Freedom of the Self
Swami Brahmananda
10 WEEKLY SESSIONS, Thursdays, 6:00-7:45pm ET
Course Description:
Do you seek a new vision of who you are, what the world is and the goal of life, to be free from limiting ideas and to have a deeper understanding of the teachings and practices of Advaita Vedanta?
Join this 10 weeks course with Swami Brahmananda to learn the methods for attaining knowledge of the ever free Self, our own true nature, and how to overcome emotional attachments and addictions and erroneous misconceptions about yourself and the world. You will learn tools to strengthen your power of spiritual discernment, clarity of vision and equanimity in life’s challenges, based on the Upanishads which form the foundation of Vedanta. The teachings are meant for new and experienced students alike.
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.
What you'll learn:
- The Vedantic teachings from the Upanishads on the inherent freedom of the self, and its identity with the supreme reality. The teachings will focus on mantras revealing the essential nature of the Atma or Self.
- How to overcome emotional attachments and addictions and erroneous misconceptions about yourself and the world.
- Tools to strengthen your power of spiritual discernment, clarity of vision and equanimity in life’s challenges
- Whatever is here, the universe, all the innumerable names and forms, is to be negated by the Atma or Self. Perception of duality, plurality, things having independent existence, is to be negated by the vision of reality as one’s own Self. By that negation, may you protect yourself from the afflictions of samsara.
- The Atma or Self is neither the knower - subject, nor the known - object, rather it is the very swaroopam, essence of both. It is the essence of the I - sense, I am, the constant, continuous self-awareness, in waking, dream and deep sleep.
- The knower of the Self, having realised the Atman as all-pervading, goes beyond all sorrows.
- The Atma or Self is to be recognized in the thoughts or vrittis. Atma is always recognizable as the knower. The Atma is absolutely taintless, not being polluted or limited by any thought, such as jealousy, pain etc. Thoughts are names and forms, having their existence in consciousness.
- The knower of the Self gets abidance in the freedom from fear. The guilt of both commission of wrong actions and omission of virtuous actions does not torment him.
- Traditional commentaries on the teachings of the Upanishads.
- The Upanishads are Brahma Vidya, the knowledge of the absolute reality, the science of the Self, that, which being known, all this becomes known. The Upanishads communicate their teachings through dialogues of enlightened sages with their disciples with Vedantic analogies and mahavakyas, or proclamations of the highest truth, such as sarvam khalvidam brahma (all indeed is Brahman).
Additional Information:
Offered as 10 weekly sessions on Thursdays, July 14, 21, 28, Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, Sep 1, 8, 15 6:00-7:45pm ET
This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.
For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.
It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.
Requirements and Recommendations:
- No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
- Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.
- Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.
- Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device. For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.
- Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.
Swami Brahmananda is a monk and senior teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and is the current Manager of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. Swami Brahmananda joined the Sivananda organization in 1999 and was initiated into Sannyasa (monasticism) in 2006.
A long-time practitioner of yoga, meditation and philosophical studies, he regularly teaches meditation and yoga philosophy for the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses as well as the Advanced Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses. He also teaches online courses on the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and Vedanta. Swami Brahmananda is a much-loved, inspiring, and knowledgeable teacher.