In life we have many ups and downs. Why do we feel moments of happiness and other times moments of sadness or anger? What can we do to always have this feeling of completeness no matter the situation? In this episode Vivekji talks about how our sense of individuality (jiva) leads to attachment or incompleteness and how this cycle continues because of our relationship with the multiverse (jagat) and creator (Ishwara).

Everything and everyone around us are made up of matter (prakriti) but do we depend on these things or people to make us feel complete (purusha)? When we know all is changing and existence is the only constant, then why do we ever feel anything but joy?

We often find ourselves feeling weighed down by changing circumstances and unending responsibilities -- but are our ropes really external, or internal? When we look inwards at our own temperament (guna), do we find ourselves tired and complaining in laziness (tamas), anxious about results in selfishness (rajas), or living with vision and inner harmony (sattva)? Only when we analyze our self-made bonds can we untie them, to feel true Freedom.

Like Neo in The Matrix, has something always felt wrong about the world? Why is everyone looking for a permanent happiness in impermanent places, and then after it doesn’t last, wondering what they’re still missing? Why do we project (vikshepa) happiness onto every new food, vacation, and position, rather than remember where happiness always was? Why do we give into the illusion (maya) that an Infinite Reality could have become a finite, incomplete individual?

We may sometimes wonder why we are the way we are. Why do we do the things we do? Our actions are caused by our thoughts (vrtti) and those thoughts come from our print (vasanas), which is who we are because of our past actions. But how can we change the core of who we are? What tools (upadhi) can we use to reach our higher purpose?

Like weary travelers endlessly stumbling after illusions of water in the burning desert, we spend most of our lives running after one inner demand after another. When does the chase end? Are we carrying boulders of emotional baggage in our memory (chitta), or are we learning from the past to move on? Do we allow the leech that is the Ego (ahankara) to drain us with endless agitations, or do we observe it to dismantle it? Are we allowing the senses (indriya) to control us through urges to...

When using our gadgets in our daily lives, there’s one thing we never forget to do: plug them in. Well, what are we plugged into? Do we feel drained, and out of battery? Are we investing in a more efficient input (prana), to live deeper than it? Are we allowing the mind (manah) to interpret the world, or are we directing it within? Do we find the intellect (buddhi) constantly instructing and planning, or are we inquiring into what’s most important?

What does it truly mean to feel fortunate (bhagya)? What are some ways we can get to this feeling of serenity? Vivekji teaches us one way to invest in feeling fortunate is to know that all is temporary. Realizing that even the body (deha) is an equipment we have to help us uncover our true nature.

When dealing with uncomfortable situations, many of us try to escape from mental pain (dukha nivrtti), such as stress, anxiety, fear, etc. We try escaping by engaging in activities that we think will bring us joy. But what is a practical and permanent way to face those uncomfortable situations? How can we go from trying to escape discomfort to striving for peace (sukha prapti)?

Reset and recharge your relationships for the new year!

Many times in life, we find ourselves tired -- completely exhausted in running the seemingly endless race of responsibilities. When we’re lacking in inspiration to keep going, where do we find purpose (puruṣhārtha) in all this? How do we choose between what’s easy and pleasurable (preyas) vs. what’s peaceful and visionary (shreyas)?

Living is like a mirror. When we are angry, the world is angry. When we are happy, the world is happy. What can we do to cheerfully evolve into a courageous personality? What are the steps we can take to become more integrated?

What is the purpose of living? It is to be joyous. But how? What are some steps we can take to dive deeper into our purpose? How can we do this with all the ups and downs life throws at us?

The path to Peace is a long one, filled with many hills of transformation and valleys of feeling stuck. Through this, are we living for Peace with the intensity needed to actually evolve? Are we seeking (sadhana) with the discipline (brahmacharya) needed to conserve our energy, and the sensitivity (ahimsa) to be considerate of others?

We all know how much we’re capable of -- but we rarely live up to our highest potential. Since we know we need to change, how do we build the resolve (sankalpa) needed? How can a guide (guru) unleash our latent potential, bringing us Divine grace (krpa) and opening our eyes to the endless blessings (prasada) that surround us?

We are told we are Infinity. But how do we feel we are Infinity? What can we do to deepen our understanding of who we are?

We have all heard the saying "as you think so you become." But when we dive deeper into this thought, we ask ourselves: How do we think? Why do we think? What can we do to become more virtuous?

Most people live fast lives, full of escaping into pleasure and acting for “style” -- but we often find ourselves feeling incomplete when we live this way. How do we shift our focus to our lifestyle on this journey (yatra), to unite (yoga) with our best selves? How can we live to serve (seva) more than just ourselves, and invoke (bhaja) the deepest within ourselves?

Living in today’s society can feel like an endless chase. In the midst of constant change in society (samsara), how do we know what restrictions (yama) to put in place, and which commitments (niyama) to hold onto? During breaks such as festivals (utsava), how can we find rest that really lasts?

Life is like a game. How can we learn to play this game and navigate the ups and downs we are faced with? What are the steps we have to take to go from fear (bhaya) to acceptance, and confusion (moha) to clarity?

In this first episode of Stairway to Serenity, Vivekji introduces the first 3 steps on the path to freedom. How can we go from forgetfulness (avidya) to intentionality, desires (kama) to peace, and attachment (raga) to quietude?

Words matter. They can help us -- or they can hurt us. Examples of this abound in our daily lives, from a misplaced tweet that goes viral to the comforting words of a friend when we need it most. This is also true in Vedanta! On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them.

How is the one who is independently joyous described? What is one thing they do that makes them completely free? In this last episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji teaches the verse that teaches us how to be free once and for all.

What is the secret to feeling totally free? What is holding us back? In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji explains two verses that can help us to reach our goal of freedom.