Realize the divinity within yourself and the spiritual oneness of the whole universe. Manifest that divinity in daily life through peace, love and service to all beings.
I stumbled upon Swami sarvapriyananda's discourses on you tube through a common friend in my quest to the title question like many of us entangled in this world are. For some time I tried to seek solace in ISKCON. Yet, Vedanta so simply explained by Swami Sarvapriyananda appealed to my humble senses. The book explains simply about the Consiousness that pervades through all of us and gives us the life force through which we express our genetic qualities. It is as if the consciousness is like an intricately knit crocheted cloth, each of us are embroideries of the various threads that are brought in from the basic fabric. Pull one thread and all embroderies collapse into that fabric.
Spirituality cannot be expounded in language . It has to be felt, realized, lived. Each one of us has to walk our own journey. This book is for everyone to bring peace and give simplicity and direction to our lives and free ourselves from the cobweb that we are in.
This is the printed version of Swami Sarvapriyananda's famous talk at IIT Kanpur, elucidating the 7th verse of the Mandukya Upanishad.
"Who am I?" has been a question, rather a quest through the ages of human civilization which no material accumulation could satiate. Man's search for his 'Self' continues to this day – in order to find an answer to everything that s/he is a part of, awake or in dream.
The 7th verse of Mandukya Upanishad defines this 'I' or the Self as one beyond all the three states – awakened, dream and deep sleep. The Self is the Turiya (Fourth) – getting manifested through all the three states. In course of his lecture, Sarvapriyananda explains how the Fourth is the only reality that appear as many, in many states.
Was eagerly waiting for Swami Sarvapriyananda's books to be published. Finally great to see the books there. Swamiji's clarity of thought and expression, unique ability to explain deep insights of Vedanta in powerful and lucid manner does not require any introduction. Looking forward to see more and more of his lectures being published in form of book.
The first time I came across Swami Sarvapriyananda was when I bumped into his lectures on Mandukya Upanishad. I was immediately captured by how Swamiji brings examples from everyday life for understanding Mandukya Upanishad.
This book is a written representation of Swamiji's quite renowned lecture on Who Am I at IIT K. Mandukya always felt difficult to understand, but the more I listened (and now having read the same), the more pleasant becomes the understanding, however sophisticated it can feel at times.
Excellent exposition on Turiya. When I started studying Mandukya out of curiosity, I mistook Turiya as a fourth state. Swamiji clearly brings out with convincing examples and experiences that Turiya is not a state.
This great lecture on Who Am I became even more joy to read and contemplate after sometime spent on reading / listening to other lectures and commentaries on Brahma, Atma and Om.
Of all modern day commentaries and lectures on Mandukya and non-duality in general, I find Swamiji's the most profound one with very practical examples provided to deepen understanding of concepts beyond the ordinary senses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"You are the pure consciousness through which you alone are appearing as the waker now, you are the same consciousness which appears in all beings and which appears in the non-living world as well - in waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Turiya is the same spiritual reality which I am, which you all are, which everything else is. In that sense, we are one with the universe. If anybody tells you to leave all this and search for Turiya elsewhere, it is like throwing away the bangle, necklace and ring and searching for gold. Rather, we should realize ourselves as pure consciousness - Turiya - and everyone and everything as none other than the same Turiya, and live life in peace and fullness and joy. Realize the divinity within yourself and the spiritual oneness of the whole universe. Manifest that divinity in daily life through peace, love and service to all beings. That is the spiritualization of everyday life."
There are many books that explain the relationship of humans to god in Eastern thought, that you are a piece of god (Dao, Buddha, Krishna, however you like to think of god) and that we will ultimately return to god. This small book uses an old text to try to convince us logically that this is so. If you truly need to be convinced then I don't think this book will help much. If you have already accepted this relationship this book should strengthen your faith. At any rate, it is a worthy text that I am happy to have on my electronic shelf.
Consciousness is explained elegantly in this book.
While I expected the book to deep dive on what consciousness is not, I was more impressed when the lecturer also explained what consciousness is.
The book also shares some insights on how to understand consciousness better and references it to the popular Ramana maharishi's approach.
Overall a very good read. The references to Swami Vivekananda's approach in the conclusion appears rushed. Additional explanation on that section would have been more helpful.
I have never come across anything so utterly DIFFICULT and COMPLEX a subject explained with such LUCIDITY and SIMPLICITY!!! Simply DELIGHTFUL. I can now say ‘ I get it !!’
Further the AUTHOR has not for once moved away from the original ancient knowledge of the ancient Spiritual Masters the RISHIS who gave us the knowledge of the VEDAS. A must read for all serious spiritual seekers.
Unambiguous description of the key message of the Mandukya Upanishad. Swami Sarvapriyanda's ability to teach is well known from his many excellent YouTube videos and that excellence is continued here in this short discussion of the 7th mantra from the Mandukya Upanishad. Read this and then read the rest of the Mandukya.
Excellent book This book is on the seventh mantra of the Mandukya Upanishad. It is a fast read, but needs a lifetime of pondering over. It will make you want to read other books by the author. It is more of a booklet. I look forward to full size books by the author.
The explanation was different from others I have read making it a unique point of view but very clear. I will definitely read it again and allow it to sink in.
Most universal nondual teacher and a blessing to the world. Watch his lectures as well. He is my go to for understanding and linking all universal fractals in my states.
A short book looking at consciousness through a non-duality lens mainly using the Madukya Upanishad as a guide. Some of the things Sarvapriyananda says here are very clear and interesting, while others didn't quite do it for me.
What an inspiring and insightful little book. Made me very contemplative. I'm so grateful to have found it. What a story of the Philosopher King 🤴 👏 I love the Mantra and explanation also, True Gold.
This is a beautifully explained writing that is comprehensible to anyone with a mind. Excellent for those first trying to comprehend self in nonduality.
these books are just collected talks that he's given, which are much more vivacious and engaging than the books are. Recommend just checking out his youtube.
It's a question we all ask ourselves once in a lifetime or more : who am I ? The answer lies in this book as Swamiji reveals the four stages of human life - the waking state, the dreaming state, the state of deep sleep and the fourth state i.e.turiya which is present in all the other states. Turiya is the Supreme Consciousness that we are part of. Ultimately we are that Consciousness that cannot be objectified but only realised. A beautiful book encapsulating Swamiji's lecture at IIT Kanpur on the same subject.