Ask Swami with Swami Sarvapriyananda | Mar 5th, 2023

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Mar 5th, 2023. List of questions with timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:46 - Why do we need to search for the unchanging self?
13:06 - Is it ok to pray to God to satisfy our desires?
26:48 - If avidya (ignorance) is in Brahman, isn't it real?
32:07 - What is Vedanta's view on vegetarianism?
34:35 - How can I develop pure love?
40:07 - Can pure consciousness change the appearance of reality?
48:13 - Can God be both impersonal and personal?
56:01 - Is the anandamaya kosha (bliss sheath) really blissful?
01:02:19 - How does the concept of dependent origination map into Advaitic concepts?
01:06:46 - How is the cycle of reincarnation possible?
01:16:37 - Is there a concept in Hinduism about a personal God that can suffer?
01:21:15 - If all is Brahman, what is wrong with Maya?

ABOUT VEDANTA
Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.

ABOUT US
Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.

[VedantaNY]

List of questions with timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:46 - Why do we need to search for the unchanging self?
13:06 - Is it ok to pray to God to satisfy our desires?
26:48 - If avidya (ignorance) is in Brahman, isn't it real?
32:07 - What is Vedanta's view on vegetarianism?
34:35 - How can I develop pure love?
40:07 - Can pure consciousness change the appearance of reality?
48:13 - Can God be both impersonal and personal?
56:01 - Is the anandamaya kosha (bliss sheath) really blissful?
01:02:19 - How does the concept of dependent origination map into Advaitic concepts?
01:06:46 - How is the cycle of reincarnation possible?
01:16:37 - Is there a concept in Hinduism about a personal God that can suffer?
01:21:15 - If all is Brahman, what is wrong with Maya?

[et]

Going through a very traumatic period in life, listening to Swami Ji gives a little mental peace and feeling of stability. Thankyou :) please keep enlightening

[bensmithy]

On Veg/Non Veg issue I am quoting Swami Vivekananda from his book Practical Vivekananda. "When I eat meat I know it is wrong. Even if I am bound to eat it under certain circumstances, I know it is cruel. I must not drag my ideal down to the actual and apologise for my weak conduct in this way. The ideal is not to eat flesh, not to injure any being, for all animals are my brothers. If you can think of them as your brothers, you have made a little headway towards the brotherhood of all souls, not to speak of the brotherhood of man!" ❤❤❤ It's incredible, until recently a lot of meat eaters told me Vivekananda even advocated eating meat!!

[amiraarora]

Swami Sarvapriyanada - you are and always will be my living Guru. You are beyond your mind and body - even if you had non-veg a couple times because it was offered to you, that shows your humility and flexibility. That is a true egoless soul - which you are. I agree with you that vegetarianism is better than being non veg because it purifies your mind, body, & soul. But you are enlightened, Swami Ji and you are above these things that people judge about,

[mavishek]

Went through lot of problems, lost control over self, but now regained stability just because of swami sarvapriyananda ji, your spiritual voice and talks has occupied all of my leisure time now, it has now become a kind of relaxation to me. Spiritual help is the highest kind of help that can be offered, and if I say thanks to you for this it would not be worth enough your help to me, still I would thank you for giving purpose to my life

[nagabhushankn]

Our suffering is due to the identification with every experience where as I am untouched by none

[krishnars]

Very thankful to Swamiji and all volunteers for making this available to many of us thousands of miles away.

[surekhasrinivasan]

Absolutely amazing Q&A session with the questions being echoes of my own mind. Thanks to Swamiji for the brilliant clarity provided by the answers& the bhaktas who asked them

[crd]

Having followed all the discussion on veg/non veg, now only one thing comes to mind
'न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां - - -'.
Peace!!

[jayaram]

Why does this channel still have only 2.5 lakh subscribers..the message has to be spread..

[OmkarShetkar]

As I understand, the road to self realization goes through Satvik lifestyle.
As a Sadhak, what should be my lifestyle? Shouldn't every ounce of my lifestyle directed towards my Sadhana?
Tamasik things, aren't they obstacles in my Sadhana?
Having said that, I have high regard for RKM teachings and took inspiration all along my life so far.
Dear Swamiji, please guide us in this regard. 🙏🙏🙏

[dhanrajmohan]

Public comment. Lord Krishna bless you guru gee for sharing your knowledge and inspiration with devotees continues the great message. Words of wisdom guru gee. Thank you so much.

[kodandaramaiahmurikipudi]

Jai sree thakur, jai sree sarada maa and jai sree swamyji 🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[kodandaramaiahmurikipudi]

Pranaam swamyji 🌹🌹🌹🙏🙏🙏
"Aum namo bhagavathe sree ramakrishnaya "

[rajendraprasadrastogi]

जब एक जन्म भी नहीं तो अनेक जन्म ऐसे कैसे यह सिद्ध करता है कि पुनर्जन्म है ही नहीं प्रणाम स्वामी जी आपके प्रश्नोत्तर बहुत सारगर्भित हैं बहुत स्पष्टता के साथ हैं धन्यवाद और प्रणाम
हमारी चेतना नित्य है अमर है और संसार अनित्य है इसीलिए यह सब माया कह देते हैं अन्यथा प्रकृति भी एक सत्य है और वही संसार है परंतु इसका उद्गम चेतना ही है इसलिए अद्वैत ब्रह्म है

[mokshajetley]

Pranaam Swami Saravpriyananda ji. Always stay blessed 💞

[tanushreesen]

Pranam Swamiji.
I do not have any question as such but a request or an earnest wish.
I really really wish Ramakrishna Math- Vedanta Society can be opened in Luxembourg

[tanukagupta]

Thank you Maharaj 🌹🙏🌹
PRONAM neben 🌹🙏🙏🙏🌹

[Pallasathena-hvkp]

Thank you, Swami, for your dedication to answering our endless questions. 😊🌺🙏 Jai Thakur Jai Ma Jai Swamiji 🌺🌺🌺

[swamivedantanandapuri]

Wonderful. Many thanks.
Pranaam maharaj 🙏🙏🙏