Vedanta

April 1, 2008

Lessons of Life

There was an American play that was very popular a few years ago. It ran on Broadway for months, perhaps years. It was called “You Can't Take It With You.” The theme concerned an ageing man who had made a good deal of money and who lived only for making money. Then some shock occurs. He realizes for the first time in his life that he is mortal, that he will die, that he has devoted himself to a largely false effort, that he has wasted his time, that—and this gives the play its title—he can't take his wealth with him.
March 1, 2008

Self-Control: Forcible or Gradual?

The subject we are going to discuss is self-control—should it be gradual or forcible? Firstly, self-control means control and mastery over the mind, senses and the body. A person who has control is a sage. One who has not is a slave. One who has control has peace, happiness, tranquillity and also self-knowledge. Thoughts, delusions and illusions harass one who lacks it.
February 1, 2008

Philosophy of Religion: From East to West and Back Again

Is there a God? Is there life after death? Do our lives have any meaning or purpose other than what we ourselves decide? Do we even have a free will? Is it possible to know the answers to any of these questions? How ought we to go about answering them, if at all? These are just a few of the questions explored by the philosophy of religion.
July 1, 2007

Spiritualizing Human Relationships

Human relationships are extremely important for the obvious reason that almost every other aspect of life revolves around them. Naturally there will always be variations in these relationships because we are different people with varying temperaments, interests and capacities. During less complicated times, this issue of relating to others occurred in a natural way. But now due to industrialization and technological advances, the speed of life has accelerated leaving people with little time or energy to focus on this essential element of their lives. So it has become imperative to emphasize the need of forming enduring relationships. Simply stated, success or failure in life is greatly influenced by our associations with others.