How does the readjustment of the mind happen? What are the signs of a readjusted mind? What is the goal of meditation? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda that guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend l…

What tips can be used to maintain concentration of the mind? What is samādhi? How do we make sure we have success in meditation? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda that guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I r…

What are the steps to practice Meditation? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda that guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend listening to them sequentially, to get a proper understanding. Support the Sh…

What is meditation? How do we prepare ourselves for meditation? Why is preparation needed? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequ…

What are the six qualities that are to be cultivated psychologically to progress spiritually? What is Mumukshutva and why does a spiritual aspirant need that? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Se…

How do we measure spiritual progress? What is Sādhanā? What qualities are to be cultivated to progress spiritually? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend tha…

How does a person of wisdom act in this world? How does he see the world? How does he see his relationship with the world? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recomm…

What is our relationship to Om, the Supreme Reality? What determines this relationship? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequent…

What causes us to forget our real nature and mistake ourselves to be this limited entity? How do we overcome rajas and tamas to develop the sattvic component in us? How does that help in our spiritual evolution? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the…

If Brahman is really our nature as Vedanta asserts, then why do we feel so limited and finite? What is māyā? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you l…

What is Vedanta? Where did the knowledge of Vedanta originate from? What is the goal of Vedanta? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to the…

In this episode, I have a conversation with Apoorva Gupta Jalan to discuss the importance of inner work and how yoga facilitates this work. Apoorva is a yoga therapist, coach, and healer living in Gurgaon, India with her husband and their beagle. She is passionate about helping people and offers a wide range of programs including personalized class…

What constitutes the cosmos or the macrocosm? What is the concept of the God-principle? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequent…

What are the three states that we experience? How do we transcend the three bodies and experience the pure nature of the Self as different from the three states? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on…

The five sheaths that we discussed in Self-Unfoldment #38 episode, can also be classified as three bodies that envelope the Self. Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I…

In this episode, I have a conversation with Vivekji (Vivek Gupta) about the importance of holistic education to be successful in any field. Vivekji is a spiritual teacher and public speaker with Chinmaya Mission, an international non-profit organization working to transform individuals through the knowledge of Vedanta. In this dialogue, he shares h…

As we progress in our spiritual life we understand where this world has come from, how the world is functioning, etc. Then we start wondering how our body is functioning and continue probing into the subtler realms as we start looking more within. What are the different layers or sheaths that veil the Self? What is the goal of life? Reflections are…

What is it that makes human beings so different? What are gunas? What is the difference between the three gunas? How are people categorized based on their gunas? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on…

In this episode David and I catch up to reflect on how spirituality helps us handle the chaos within and in the world, amongst other topics. David Jairaj, currently living in Hyderabad (India) is a fellow seeker and a long time friend. Most importantly I see him as my first Spiritual Guru who guided and helped me get started in this journey of Self…

Does Vedanta prescribe a path for everyone with different personalities to exhaust their vasanas? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to th…

In this episode, Nikhil and I explore what creativity means to us. Nikhil shares his insights on a range of topics from the process of creating, what drives him, how collaboration is important and how he relates creativity to happiness, amongst other enriching thoughts. Nikhil Acharya does Strategy at Just So, an award winning creative studio in Lo…

What is Karma Yoga? What attitude should we have while working? And how do we control our sense organs? What is the secret prescription for work of high inspiration? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episode…

What creates our life? When and how are our vasanas created? How do we exhaust these vasanas to experience a higher level of consciousness? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are n…

I cherish the relationship I have with my daughter. It came with its own challenges at times but along the way we figured out how to use those challenges to enrich our relationship. This is a conversation I had with my daughter reflecting on the relationship we share. Support the Show.By Neelima Polam / Nishta Polam

What is the future? Is it some kind of mystery? How does the understanding of the Law of Karma help us with our daily living? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I rec…

This is in continuation of the previous episode to understand the Law of Karma better. How can self-effort at the present moment change our future? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldme…

Are we victims of our vasanas (innate urges)? How can we successfully eradicate our vasanas and transform our lives? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend th…

What is the relationship between the Inner and the Outer? What is the significance of rituals? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them …

How to cultivate the habit of looking within and how do we practice daily introspection to rehabilitate our personality so that we can grow steadily to become happy, free, and successful? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Veda…

Thoughts and the mind are related but thoughts alone are not the mind. When does the mind exist? What determines whether the mind is good or bad? What is the difference between mind and intellect? How do we cultivate habits to train the mind to be good? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in trans…

How is it that we all perceive the world differently? As our mind, so is the world. Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequentiall…

What constitutes our field of experience? Why is it important to look into our inner-selves to lead a harmonious life as we interact with the world? How do we integrate all aspects of our personality to experience the world in a more joyous way? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming …

How do we work in an inspired manner? How do we channel our energy to work in a way that gives us fulfillment and joy? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend …

How do the energy leakages happen? What are the three reasons for energy to leak? How do we focus on what we are doing right now without regret, anxiety, and excitement? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The epi…

Why can a person still be a failure even by practicing the values of Truthfulness, Self-Control, and Non-injury? What is this efficiency without which we cannot develop our talents and use them in our actions? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the t…

What is Ahimsa? Why is a person sometimes a failure despite having the willpower/courage to live up to one's convictions and why are we not able to conserve energy sometimes despite practicing self-control? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the time…

What is Brahmacarya? How do we not let our energies get dissipated in a way that we cannot live up to our convictions? Why is it important to practice self-control? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes…

What is Satyam? Why is it so important to live up to our convictions? Why is integrity so important to be successful in any field? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. …

What is the secret of success? What causes us to become so tired despite all the physical comforts? How do we work dynamically without feeling so much fatigue? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on S…

Action is inevitable as long as we live. What matters is how we work and the quality of the activity we are engaged in. What are the different categories of people who are working with different attitudes? How do we work in an inspired way? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our l…

How do we realize and experience our true nature, OM? What is true renunciation? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequentially, …

What determines the personality of each person? How is everyone different and distinct in terms of how we act or respond? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recomme…

What is the nature of supreme Reality? What does Sat-Cit-Ananda mean? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequentially, to get a pr…

What is the supreme Reality? What is this divine principle and what is its nature? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequentially…

What is life? What are the instruments through which we experience life? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequentially, to get a…

What are our actions guided by? What choices do we have when we are taking any action? What sort of choices can lead us to live a fulfilling and content life? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Se…

How do we rid ourselves of our lower tendencies or imperfections? What is sublimation? How is it different from suppression? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I reco…

Why is it that we are experiencing increasing levels of stress and not having lasting happiness despite all the comforts around us? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered.…

What is Religion? What does it aim to do? What is the content of any scripture? Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I recommend that you listen to them sequentially, t…

Each of us can learn how to approach life correctly to be happy and successful. We all have that strength and potential within. Reflections are based on Self-Unfoldment, a book by Swami Chinmayananda which guides us in transforming our lives by introducing us to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta. Note: The episodes on Self-Unfoldment are numbered. I r…