Ask Swami with Swami Sarvapriyananda | May 5th, 2019

Questions for future talks can be sent to: askswami@vedantany.org Q&A session lead by Swami Sarvapriyananda as part of a spiritual retreat at the Vedanta Society of New York on May 5th, 2019. ► To support Vedanta Society of New York: http://bit.ly/SupportVedantaNY List of Questions with Timestamps: 0:36 - Difference between the ego and the witness. Is consciousness a creation of the brain. 24:34 - Difference between the views that the universe never existed vs the universe is brahman. If we are one consciousness, why do we react differently in different circumstances. 39:18 - If I do not “exist”, how do I approach the demands of the world. 47:18 - How is it possible to attain God while living in the world? How do I choose a guru? Is enlightenment possible without mantra diksha? 56:47 - Distinguishing between vairagya (dispassion) and tamas (darkness). How to practice non-injury but still protect ourself? 1:08:20 - Are your tendencies from past life part of a bigger purpose in the universe? 1:19:40 - What is Advaita Vedanta’s standpoint on karmic liability that leads to rebirth? 1:27:05 - Difference between Jnanindriyan and Buddhindriyan. 1:32:00 - Do Sat, Chit, and Ananda refer to the same thing? Web: http://vedantany.org Soundcloud: http://Soundcloud.com/VedantaNY iTunes Podcast: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-itunes Google Play: http://bit.ly/vedanta-talks-google-play ABOUT VEDANTA Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions. ABOUT US Vedanta Society of New York is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, this is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was a historic event, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago. Swami Sarvapriyananda is the present Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.