Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam

Practice this mediation to journey from being embroiled in the body-mind-sense complex, I, identified as the Ahaṅkāra or ego, to the ever joyful, ever loving, ever contented, ever-free, the all seeing 'I', the witness of all, Sakshi. 
Disclaimer: Please do not listen to this mediation while driving or operating machinery.
 
 

Mantra 5 establishes the need for meditation and talks about the basic preliminaries. Mantra 6 & 7 are meditative and contemplative verses which simultanously are teachings as well. This episode points out the three different types of adhikari-s, the two types of pratibandhika-s, inhibitive factors in the way of knowledge, the three process of knowing- sravanam, mananam and nididhyasanam and further Swaminiji beautifully elucidate the mahāvākya, 'tat tvam asi' -That Thou Art.

This episode explains why both the aspects of Brahman - the intrinsic and the incidental, are to be contemplated upon as the truth of oneself. Find out as to why the highest form of devotion is in fact Self-knowledge and what it mean to 'attain' this knowledge.

In verses 6 & 7, the Upanisad tells us to meditate upon Brahman in the form of Uma and Siva in order to forge a relationship with the forms first so that one understands what they represent cognitively- the all pervasive, changeless, limitless and formless consciousness that sustains all form.

All actions are performed solely for the enjoyment of the results of action. How then does one desirous of freedom perform actions in the daily life? What is Karma Yoga? Why is it important to cultivate an attitude of a karma yogi and how does it help one prepare for the knowledge of the Self? Listen to find out!

This episode describes the four stages of āśramas; Brahmacharya (student), Gṛhastha (householder), Vanaprastha (forest dweller), and Saṅyāsa (renunciate). It also elucidates the difference between and the reason for meditating upon Saguna Brahman (with form) and contemplating on Nirguṇa Brahman (without form).

Concluding the sanyāsa mantra, we move on to verse 5, 6 & 7 which talks about meditation. This Upanishad is unique in that sense, it teaches meditation before the knowledge. This episode includes a 20 minute guided meditation.

What is the connection between renunciation and immortality? Who is a sanyāsi? What is the proper effort required and what do they gain by renunciation? This episode elucidates further on the the Sanyāsa Mantra.

This episode expounds on the famous Sanyāsa Mantra. Tyāga, renunciation is added to the previous three qualifications of shraddhā, Bhakti and Dhyanām, required for this knowledge.

This episode is an extract of a conversation between Swamini Svatmavidyananda and Yogacharya O’Brian from the Yoga Hour Podcast.
The meaning of Śiva, śivaliṅgam, and Shakti along with the significance of Mahāśivarātri is explained beautifully here.