Verses: 16, 18, 51, 375, 424, 472, 517, 518 -The most significant problem in spiritual life is the lack of a discerning mind. -Dispassion and spiritual awareness are essential in spiritual life, just as two wings are necessary for a bird to fly in the air. -The problem of spiritual slumber and the need for spiritual awakening -The need to develop a natural capacity to instinctively avoid wrong associations -Re-capitulation of the seven questions (verse: 51, class 3) -Going beyond desire,...

Verses: 145, 142, 143, 138 - King Parikshit's story - Unexpected traps in spiritual life - The ocean of worldliness: birth, disease and death - Controlling the mind and the clear perception of the intellect - How the supreme realization can be attained through disciplining the mind and purification of the intellect - Direct realization is the goal of life

Verses: 320, 325, 326 -Evolution from idea/faith/concept to real experience -How all delusions vanish with the dawn of Advaitic experience -Need for constant vigilance and alertness in spiritual life -The great statement ('Mahavakya'): 'TATTVAMASI' ( तत्त्वमसि) explained -Analysis of the two 'padarthas' (पदार्थ) : 'tat' (तत्) and 'tvam' (त्वम्) -Reference to 'Nimi-Navayogi-Samvada (the dialogue between the philosopher king Nimi and Nine Sages from the Bhagavata Purana)

Verses: 143, 145, 138, 129, etc. Questions 1, 2, and 3: "What is bondage?" - Its mystery -The mystery of Maya. How does it work in our life? Answer: Concealment of our true nature and false projection. -The way out of Maya: sadhana-chatushtaya (साधनचतुष्टप, the four spiritual disciplines: Ref: class:2), ‘shravana’ (श्रवण), `manana’ (मनन), `nididhyasana’ (निदिध्यासन) & devotion (bhakti), and eventually, through Moksha. -Atman, the non-participating witness -Turning the flashlight into...

Verses: 126, 127, 128, Q&A verses: 125, 134 The 6th question: `What is Paramatman?' Answer: 11 verses beginning with the 127th -I, the witness of the three states of consciousness is distinct from the five sheaths. ('panchakoshavilakshana' (पञ्चकोशविकलक्षण)) -Atman is the illuminator of all objects - the light of all lights – ‘Jyotisham jyoti’ (ज्योतिषम् ज्योति) (Jyotirbrahmanam - Brhadaranyaka Upanishad) -The purpose of all spiritual practices, the teacher, the scriptures, etc. is only...

Verses: 110, 111, 113. The 5th question: What is anatman? Answer to the 5th question continues: - Analysis of the Non Self (anatman): - Karana-sharira - Maya: the beginningless and the indescribable - Maya: beyond description - The mystery of creation: the Advaitic perspective: - The nature of the world and its origin. Avidya, Sakti, composed of three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. Negative theology (Via Negativa) of Advaita Vedanta The three powers in Maya: - The power of false...

Verses: 51, 71, 89, 98, 99 The 4th question: 'How shall I be liberated?' Answer: The means to attain spiritual liberation: - Detachment and withdrawal from all the impermanent things. - `shama’ (शम), dama (दम), titiksha (तितिक्षा), giving up of all karmas, etc. The 5th question: What is anatman? Answer: Elaborate Analysis of the Non-Self (anatman): -Descriptions of sthula-sharira (gross body) & sukshma-sharira (subtle body). -The journey of life does not end with death. -Death is only...

Verses: 16, 17, 19-30, 34, 35 - The qualifications and disciplines for spiritual seekers are: `sadhana-chatushtaya’ (साधनचतुष्टप) (four) & `shravana’ (श्रवण), `manana’ (मनन), and `nididhyasana’ (निदिध्यासन) (three). -The importance of a strong desire for spiritual liberation (`mumukshutvam’ (मुमुक्षुत्वम्)) -The importance of dispassion and renunciation (`vairagya’ (वैराग्य )) and an intense desire for enlightenment and spiritual liberation. -Definitions of Bhakti -The ideal Guru and the...

Verses: 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 -'Viveka-chudamani' as an introductory text on Advaita Vedanta. -Advaita is the highest philosophy and the highest spiritual experience. -The means and practices to reach that experience -The uniqueness and privilege of human birth in contrast to the millions of species in creation -Going beyond our physical nature -Worshiping the senses without seeking the higher spiritual goal is spiritual suicide. -Reflection and contemplation on the 'Atman', the Absolute...