Summary of Ask Swami with Swami Sarvapriyananda | Sept 30th, 2018

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

In this YouTube video, Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the various levels of consciousness and how to achieve the highest level through meditation. He also shares stories of how people have overcome addiction and attained enlightenment.

00:00:00 The speaker discusses how levels of practice can help one overcome desires. He talks about how becoming more self-reliant, doing what is ethical and moral, and focusing on the larger good can help to reduce the effects of desires.
00:05:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the limits of morals and ethics and how they don't agonize over it, but clean up their own lives first. He then talks about how spirituality begins with moral life and unselfish action, and how emotions should be turned towards God. Finally, he addresses the challenge of practicing religious rituals in a meaningful way.
00:10:00 The video explores how, in order to be in touch with God, one must learn to channel devotion and love towards Him. It emphasizes the importance of practicing these things at least twice a day, and suggests that, in order to keep the mind focused on good things, it is important to avoid thoughts that are disruptive, violent, or negative.
00:15:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the various meditation techniques available to practitioners, and how to find the best one for you. He also advises that in order to achieve true peace and joy, it is important to unselfishly concern yourself with others and to direct your desires towards God. Finally, he mentions that even in meditation, if one is passionate and devoted to God, the other times when the mind is occupied with worldly thoughts will not be as spiritually fruitful.
00:20:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses how worldly ambition and spirituality cannot be reconciled, but what one can do is connect their spiritual ambition with God. He tells a story of an old Swami who offered him a lifelong practice of smoking cigarettes, which he eventually gave to Vivekananda. Today, it is no longer politically correct to talk about smoking, but the mentality of smoking as a worldly weakness is still connected to God.
00:25:00 In this video, Swami Sarvapriyananda shares the story of a woman named Callie Potter who was addicted to alcohol and her husband, Girish. Girish eventually realized that Callie was seeking help from Sri Ramakrishna, and he refused to help her. Eventually, Kali pas de Guiche came across the river Ganga and East and offered to take Callie and Girish to Calcutta. Sonam Krishna, who was unaware of what was happening, got into the boat with them. When they arrived in Calcutta, Girish fell at Sri Ramakrishna's feet and begged for his blessing. Sri Ramakrishna gave Girish a flying drink, which cured him of his addiction.
00:30:00 In this video, Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the various levels of consciousness, including the "plane of super consciousness." He urges those seeking enlightenment to meditate in order to attain this level of awareness.
00:35:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the various terms used to describe consciousness, including "awareness," "consciousness," "superconsciousness," and "chitta vritti nirodh aha yoga samadhi." Meditation is one way to access superconsciousness, and once achieved, it leads to the cessation of the modification of the mind.
00:40:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda answers questions about the benefits of having a guru, and emphasizes the importance of taking initiation in the study of AD.
00:45:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the importance of initiating followers into mantra chanting, and how it can help them on the path of knowledge. He also mentions the tradition of mantra diksha, which has many benefits for someone on the path of knowledge.
00:50:00 This YouTube video provides an overview of deity meditation, focusing on the importance of having a mantra and receiving initiation from a qualified guru. Swami Sarvapriyananda shares that every person has a divine nature, and that practicing deity meditation allows you to connect with your divine nature. He also warns that if you practice Deity meditation without proper guidance from a guru, your practice may backfire and rebound on you.
00:55:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which states that one's own existence is up to doubt. He explains that the philosophy is not a dream, and that anyone can doubt its existence. He emphasizes that it is a certainty in a world of uncertainties.

01:00:00 - 01:25:00

The video discusses the two broad approaches to religion: the God-centered approach and the self-inquiry approach. The self-inquiry approach is more individualistic and focuses on meditation and inward inquiry, while the God-centered approach is more focused on worship and ritual. Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, and offers advice on how to handle the situation if one falls asleep during meditation.

01:00:00 The video discusses the two broad approaches to religion: the God-centered approach and the self-inquiry approach. The self-inquiry approach is more individualistic and focuses on meditation and inward inquiry, while the God-centered approach is more focused on worship and ritual. Swami Sarvapriyananda says that, while Yoga believes in God, Patanjali's yoga is actually an extraordinary sentient being. There are also many different streams of God-centered religions across the world.
01:05:00 In this interfaith conference, representatives of different religions were discussing how they view each other's belief systems. One person present said that, overall, all of the religions are based on the same principle - that there is some sort of God who exists. Another person said that, in their own experience, one of the other aspects of God is more real to them. They noted that, for some people, one aspect of God is more real than the other, or they might have a mixture of both perspectives. The representatives from the different religions were all happy to share their positive views of one another.
01:10:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the difference between the existence of a self and the existence of Brahman, and points out that both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. He concludes by saying that, if you are aware of yourself as Brahman, there is no need for suffering or debt.
01:15:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses how deep sleep is like a state of awareness, in which the mind is turned off. He explains that although consciousness is always present, in deep sleep it is "shut down" and we do not remember anything.
01:20:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the experience of deep sleep and its various expressions in different languages and cultures. He also discusses the experience of absence and its various expressions, noting that absence can be experienced even when there is conscious awareness.
01:25:00 Swami Sarvapriyananda discusses the reasons why people can fall asleep during meditation, and offers advice on how to handle the situation. He says that one's experience with aging is an object of contemplation, and that using meditation to relax and manage stress is an effective practice. He concludes the talk with a peace chant.