Swami Sarvapriyananda is the leader of the Vedanta Society of New York. This erudite, far reaching and illuminating conversation with Rupert Spira begins with them addressing the question: What is non-duality?
The Swami says that the crucial insight of traditional Advaita is that even when we experience the many, there is an underlying oneness. And what is this oneness? It’s you! You are this that appears as a multiplicity.
Rupert states that the non-dual teaching has manifested in answer to three existential questions:
The first, concerning our inner life, is how do we find lasting peace and happiness?
The second, concerning the realm of the outer, is what is the nature of reality?
And finally, concerning the relationship between the two, how should we live?
Rupert then elaborates: Happiness is our true nature, and we only have to know ourselves in the deepest possible sense to discover that. The universe appears separate because we have lost touch with the felt sense that we share our being with everyone and everything.
As for how to live, Rupert quotes St Augustine: ‘Love, and do whatever you want’.
The discussion continues, in answer to questions from the public voiced by moderator Rick Archer, to cover topics such as:
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the relationship of modern scientific thought in the disciplines of physics and neuroscience with the non-dual understanding, where they converge and diverge;
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an exploration of the use of the word ‘God’ from the perspective of conventional, devotional dualism, and that of Advaita;
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the meaning and implication of the terms ‘progressive’ and ‘direct’ path, or relative and absolute truth; and
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what happens to awareness in deep sleep.
Both the Swami and Rupert articulate their understanding with utmost clarity, a shared depth and mutual respect.
You can listen to this episode on the Rupert Spira Podcast
https://rupertspira.libsyn.com/episode-16-swami-sarvapriyananda-0
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