Vedanta Wisdom Journal july 2024

By Nimesh Mehta

If adversity can be a catalyst for personal growth, then this incident in the life of Nimesh Mehta is a stellar example. As a young man, he faced a traumatic accident. Rather than be cowed down by it, he used Vedantic principles to turn it into an opportunity for care and service....

By Dr Janki Santoke

Welcome to a most exciting event, the first Journal of the Vedanta Wisdom Trust. Initiatives such as this will also serve our flagship project, the world’s first Vedanta The purpose of this journal is to give our readers a serious, cited, but not too academic, reading experience, combining theory with practice. The contributions have come from the learners of Vedanta....

By Dhiraj Malik

Advaita Vedanta serves as a guide for those embarking on the journey of Self-inquiry. Its message is clear: by our very nature, we are free, whole, and content. This fundamental truth is not immediately apparent, but it can be realized with proper This article provides an overview of Advaita Vedanta’s approach to Self-Inquiry as described in the texts and commentaries of Adi Shankaracharya....

By Rachna Ramya Agrawal

Very few studies have explored the impact of Vedantic sadhana or the conscious practice of achieving perfection in Indian classical dances. The three modes of Vedantic sadhana - shravana, manana, and nididhyasana - are also applied in the Indian classical arts. According to Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on performing arts, the criterion for being regarded as classical is the dance style’s adherence to the guiding principles referred to within it....

By Janki Santoke, Ph.D

The Happiness Guarantee - The Philosophy of Happiness by Dr. Janki Santoke explores the universal pursuit of happiness that permeates every facet of human existence. In this excerpt from Chapter 1, the author delves into the intrinsic human desire for happiness, emphasizing that all actions, choices, and pursuits ultimately revolve around this central quest. The author critically examines societal norms, material possessions, and various life pursuits, questioning whether they genuinely The Happiness Guarantee seeks to unravel the mystery of happiness, proposing a departure from the traditional pursuit of joy through external factors....

By Moumeeta Mohanty

This article explores the transformative impact of attending a month-long Vedanta retreat at Rishihood University in July 2023. While online Vedanta classes offer their unique convenience, in-person retreats are an essential adjunct for accelerated spiritual growth. The Rishihood Retreat, led by Dr. Janki Santoke, provided a unique blend of traditional teachings and modern practices, fostering a conducive environment for spiritual growth and self-discovery....

By Dr Janki Santoke

And here is the second issue of the Vedanta Wisdom Journal. It is a matter of great pleasure to be able to offer to our readers this new edition, created with the hard work and dedication of the editorial team. In it, you will find the Art of Self-Discovery by Sreedharan an alumnus of the Vedanta Academy and the head of its Middle East Centre....

By S. A. Sreedharan

In "Art of Self-Discovery," S. A. Sreedharan explores the paradox of individuals engaging in spiritual practices without attaining inner peace....

By Meera Nair

This article delves into the concept of sin, as explained in Vedantic scriptures. It draws upon the insights of eminent seers such as Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha, and Swami A Parthasarathy to better understand the perception of sin....

By Dhiraj Malik

Karma Yoga is a powerful spiritual practice that purifies the mind by relaxing the grip of desires. We are trapped in a cycle of desires. The more we act to fulfill our desires, the more new ones emerge. We never reach a state where all desires are satisfied....

By Mitali Thakore

This article narrates the experience of Mitali Thakore, a former interior designer turned social worker, on her journey towards building Anvaya, an organization supporting rural communities in the villages of Maharashtra....

By Surekha Ghogale

The study of Vedanta provides clear guidelines on how life should be lived. One such guideline is the importance that it places on the concept of performing one’s obligatory duty, a unique gift available only to human beings....

By Arun Sehgal

Working for a higher goal with a focus on action rather than the results is how Arun Sehgal dealt with around two hundred personnel who had received the pink slip due to a multinational company's acquisition. As the Head of Human Resources, he unfolds the events and describes how his team transformed a potentially traumatic experience into a smooth transition simply by working for a sublime cause, which helped unleash their full potential. He shares this inspiring story, which led to an award-winning HR Practice with Meera Nair....

By Dhiraj Malik

In Vedanta, the concept of ishwara, often equated with God, is both nuanced and sophisticated. Most religious philosophies depict God as an all-powerful, all-knowing being who creates this universe and dispenses justice. Vedanta presents a more intricate view....

By Deepraj Dutta

Philosophers over the ages have asked themselves the question, “Who am I?”. They came up with answers that they passed on to their students, which later resulted in the development of the various philosophical schools of thought. The language that these masters used depended largely on their geography, culture and their scholastic tradition....

By Dr Janki Santoke

Thanks to the work of our dedicated journal team, we have yet another reading treat with us. Some food for thought from Deepraj Dutta who compares Vedanta and Sufi thoughts, Meera Nair who gives an excellent example of Karma Yoga with Arun Sehgal's experience and Sanjay Bharatiya who helps with the theory of karma yoga. There is a self-paced course on the Secret of Effective Work on the Vedanta Wisdom Trust website, if you would like to delve some more into Karma Yoga....

By Sanjay Bhartiya

Karma Yoga emphasizes the path of right action, defined by selfless work performed with a sense of service and without attachment to the outcomes. This article explores two key aspects of Karma Yoga: the inevitability of action and the purification of the mind through right action. It highlights that living beings are in constant action, and attempting to escape it is futile....

By Janki Santoke, Ph.D

In Dr. Janki Santoke’s The Happiness Guarantee: 2. The Attitudes of Happiness, it is asserted that joy can transform into sorrow when indulgence is not tempered by regulation. The author emphasises that true enjoyment derives from a disciplined and mindful engagement with pleasures. Intellect must guide the desires of the mind, balancing both indulgence and abstinence....