- LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM
March 8 – May 3, 2021
Who am I? The Practice of Vedantic Inquiry
Rukmini Chaitanya
8 WEEKLY SESSIONS, Mondays, 6:00-7:30pm ET
Have you ever wondered who you are without all the conditioning and false identifications? What is your Essential Nature? What is your real purpose?
Join us on a profound journey of Self Inquiry to reconnect with your True Self.
This is a unique 8-week course based on Vedanta Philosophy and the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda.
Vedantic meditations are analytical by nature. We use our intellect to investigate the true nature of the Self and Reality. Through negation of the false self the real Self is revealed to the practitioner in a mysterious way. While the intellect is used for the process of negation, the practice itself leads the practitioner to transcending the intellect and recognizing his or her identity with the Self, which is of the nature of absolute existence, consciousness and bliss.
This course explores two important techniques of Vedantic Meditation: Laya Chintana and Panchikarana.
What you'll learn:
- Laya Chintana is the method of absorption. The effect is absorbed in its cause.
- Margining into the intellect, which in turn merges into the unmanifested universe, which then merges into the Supreme Imperishable Brahman.
- The elements of creation merge with each other, starting with the grossest and proceeding to the subtlest. The processes of merging is: earth into water, water into fire, fire into air, air into ether, ether into the unmanifest, and the unmanifest into Brahman.
- The microcosm merges with the macrocosm. The individual merges with the universe, the soul merges in Brahman. All external attributes gradually merge into their Source.
- Panchikarana is a method that further develops the concept of absorption of the gross into the subtle by breaking down the components of the body and its functions into the five basic elements called Tanmatras. When it is seen that these are not the Self, they may be either absorbed into each other or discarded by negation. In either case, one arrives at the Self, which is beyond them all
- By negating the ideas of possessiveness and attachment to the illusory qualities of the body and mind, one can achieve liberation.
- Negative emotions, such as anger, delusion and fear, belong to the ether portion of the five elements. Therefore, they cannot be the Self or Atman. They are negated and identification with them becomes impossible.
Additional Information:
Offered as 8 weekly sessions on Mondays, Mar 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3 6:00-7:30pm 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.
Course Includes:
- 12 hours of on-demand video
Rukmini Chaitanya
Rukmini Chaitanya is a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and the personal assistant to Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya, or spiritual director of the Ashram. She regularly teaches the Bhagavad Gita during the Sivananda Yoga Teacher training as well as other courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, positive thinking, meditation, and yoga philosophy.
Rukmini Chaitanya is known for her enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style as well as for her devotion to the lineage and the scriptures. She is dedicated to each of her students and has an innate desire to share knowledge with them. She brings a great deal of clarity to every topic and is highly appreciated for her capacity to unfold complicated topics and present them in a coherent and pure way.