Ask Swami with Swami Sarvapriyananda | June 18th, 2023

Q&A session led by Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Vedanta Society of New York on Jun 18th, 2023. List of questions with timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
04:17 - All knowledge depends on the knower, known, and instrument of knowledge, yet we are taught that we are none of these.  How can this be reconciled?
19:48 - If science can be used to know the self, does this mean that Vedanta is not a unique instrument for self knowledge?  How can science be used for the study of something without objective qualities?
30:24 - How can we remove doubt?  How is one guided to know Brahman clearly and continuously?
46:43 - How does one become a monk or nun?
48:56 - How do you explain the problem of evil within the realm of consciousness?
01:01:00 - Is Purusha the same as pure consciousness?  When we say “I am imperishable”, how do we know?
01:09:00 - Is consciousness everywhere, not just in living things?  What is the glue that binds Brahman and Maya together?
01:18:35 - We are told we are one consciousness.  Where does Karma come in?
01:25:49 - Will the witness, sakshi, register anything?

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:
0:00 - Intro
04:17 - All knowledge depends on the knower, known, and instrument of knowledge, yet we are taught that we are none of these. How can this be reconciled?
19:48 - If science can be used to know the self, does this mean that Vedanta is not a unique instrument for self knowledge? How can science be used for the study of something without objective qualities?
30:24 - How can we remove doubt? How is one guided to know Brahman clearly and continuously?
46:43 - How does one become a monk or nun?
48:56 - How do you explain the problem of evil within the realm of consciousness?
01:01:00 - Is Purusha the same as pure consciousness? When we say “I am imperishable”, how do we know?
01:09:00 - Is consciousness everywhere, not just in living things? What is the glue that binds Brahman and Maya together?
01:18:35 - We are told we are one consciousness. Where does Karma come in?
01:25:49 - Will the witness, sakshi, register anything?

[rravi]

Each "Ask Swami" episode is an eagerly awaited event and Swamiji never fails to elevate and enlighten. To me, the show also gives a feeling of connectedness with seekers from all over the world. Though there are a number of questions and answers in each session, the common thread of Advaita helps in reinforcing the central concepts again and again from different angles. Thanks to Swamiji and the Vedanta Society of New York!

[ranjitbisoyi]

गुरु ब्रह्मा गुरु विष्णु गुरु देवो महेश्वरः। गुरु साक्षात् परब्रह्मा तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥

[spikespiegel]

I cannot thank you enough swami. I am deeply humbled and amazed by this channel, it's like finding a box of elixir in the ocean of poison! Greeting from Vadodara, Gujarat, India

[santoshregalla]

JAI SHREE RAMAKRISHNA
JAI DEVINE HOLY MOTHER SHARADAA MAATHAA🌹🌹🌹🌹

[zealshah]

Happy Guru Purnima to the Swami Sarvapriyananda ✨

[pavelsmith]

Perhaps Karma is the duty which one self must be responsible for throughout the quest to destroy evil.
A this point!!! The crowd becomes, my lovely friend; Bloodthirsty.

[mokshajetley]

Pranaam Swami Saravpriyananda ji. Always stay blessed 💞

[NivitaVerma]

Thanks to Swamiji's beautiful and clearly articulated answers/explanations, I had several "ah...got it" moments in this Q&A session.

[pavelsmith]

Fear of pain untouched by experience?
Pure consciousness as it becomes contacted with the sound of Wisdom.

[jorgetfreitas]

When you look for the "I" and you don't find it, it is because the "I" has found itself in pure consciousness.
Thank you Swamiji for sharing these precious and luminous words.

[ashanair-qjgk]

Pranam Swamiji ❤, Your very Existence is God Himself, what else is there other than Him.Where IAM not You don't exist !!!

[anuragaggarwal]

Dear swami ji 🙏🏻. On today’s auspicious occasion of guru poornima, I would like to express my gratitude to you for imparting knowledge which really matters 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[amiraarora]

Grateful Swami Ji for this profound knowledge wrapped with love🙏🏼❤️

[chekaimukhlps]

Charan sparsh, Gurudev. Thank you so very much for breaking down so complex concepts into simple and understandable points. We are forever grateful to you.

[keithnisbet]

Swami S showed incredible wisdom in his answer to the children. Tears in my eyes.🙏❤️❤️❤️

[mokshajetley]

Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna Jai Sri Ramakrishna

[anagha.aniruddha]

Namaskar Swami Sarvapriyanandaji Maharaj 🙏🏻

As you mention always doubts which are asked by others clear my doubts also.
Your explanations are always very insightful…

Thank you Vedanta New York for sharing this very useful session of Q& A🌹

[apratimchatterjee]

My humble obeisance at your lotus feet Maharaj on the auspicious day of Guru Purnima 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[tinkybhardwaj]

Gratitude to you Swamiji on this guru poornima 🙏 I feel truly blessed to have an opportunity to hear your discourses
Thank you 🙏🌹