1. Vedanta Society of Iowa February 22, 2014
Introduction to Vedanta
Vedanta Society of Iowa February 22, 2014

2. Discussion Topics What is Vedanta? Why study Vedanta?
How to study Vedanta?
Q&A

3. What is Vedanta ? Culmination/Essence of ‘Veda’
Basis (Philosophy) of Hinduism
Defines God (Brahman) as ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’

4. Why study Vedanta? To be eternally happy & wise To understand who I am
Sat-Chit-Ananda
To understand who I am
Aham Brahmasmi
To understand what this world is
Sarvam Kalvidam Brahman
To ascertain methods to achieve the goal
Sadhana Chatushtaya/Prapatti Marga/Nabadha Bhakti/4-Yogas/5-Commandments of Sri Ramakrishna etc.
To become master of oneself
Obtain sthitapragna (not buffeted by dualities)
To develop reverence for everything
Ekam Sat; Vipra vahudha badanti (all incarnation + all religion + all living & non-living manifestations )

5. How to study Vedanta? Anubandha-Chatushtaya (अनुबन्ध-चतुष्टय)
4-requisites to undertake a study
Prayojana, Vishaya, Sambandha, Adhikari
Sadhana-Chatushtaya (साधन-चतुष्टय)
4-means to develop qualification
Viveka, Vairagya, Sad-Sampatti, Mumukshutva
Shravana-Manana-Nididhysana (श्रवण-मनन-निदिध्यासन)
3-fold process of practice
Constant Hearing, Reflecting, Meditating

6. Anubandha-Chatushtaya
Prayojana (’प्रयोजन’) – benefit/result
Atyantika – Dukha – Nivritti
Paramananda Prapti
Vishaya (’विषय’) – subject matter
Jiva - Brahman - Aikya
Sambandha(’सम्बन्ध’) – relationship
Prayojana – Vishaya – Sambandha – Adhikari
Adhikari (’अधिकारी’) – qualification of seeker
Chitta Ekagrata
Chitta Suddhi

7. Sadhana-Chatushtaya Viveka (‘विवेक’) Vairagya (‘वैराग्य’)
Discrimination between Eternal and Non-Eternal
Vairagya (‘वैराग्य’)
Detachment from Non-Eternal
ShamAdi Sat-Sampatti (‘शमादि शट-सम्पत्ति’ )
Practice of Six Wealths/Treasures
Mumukshutva (‘मुमुक्षुत्व ‘)
Longing for Liberation/Mukti

8. Shat-Sampatti Shama (‘शम’) Dama (‘दम’) TitikShA (‘तितिक्षा’)
detaching the mind from external stimuli
Dama (‘दम’)
detaching the sense organs from external stimuli
TitikShA (‘तितिक्षा’)
enduring afflictions without reaction
Uparati (‘उपरति’)
not letting the mind react
ShraddhA (‘श्रद्धा’)
faith in Scriptures & words of Guru
SamAdhAna(‘समाधान’)
one pointed focus on the Reality

9. Q&A