Bhagavan's teachings are firmly rooted in Truth and Love. He has always adhered to these values and taught his students the same. There is great strength in these words. One can come to rely on them after getting acquainted with Bhagavan's life , with the history of International Vedanta Society (IVS) and its teachers, and through realizing these things in one's own practice. Bhagavan's teachings have generally come to be organized under the 12 points  sadhana  (spiritual practice) below. These guidelines are not a replacement to the direct instructions received by one's Guru or teacher, but a helpful reminder of the components that your spiritual practice should contain and the ideals you want to be striving for as you make progress towards Self-Realization. Check out the Teachings posted on this website, they are sorted by Post Topics and can be accessed in the drop down menu on the upper right hand corner of the website. These lessons address the various...

Chanting of the wonderful Nirvana Satakam. This hymn was composed 1,200 years ago by the great Shankaracharya, the sage who systematized the philosophy of the Upanishads according to non-dualistic Vedanta into the modern system. He is considered to have been an incarnation of Shiva, of Knowledge. This video was recorded in March 2007, at International Vedanta Society ashram in Varanasi, India. Sri Sri Bhagavan descends from the lineage of Shankaracharya.

A rare footage of Sri Sri Bhagavan inspiring a devotee to attain the state where they no longer feel separate from Him. This is not an intellectual exercise, Bhagavan says but a heart experience. Know the guru to be all, as God, and know that you are one with Him. Otherwise you will continue to feel disturbance of separation.

Sri Sri Bhagavan narrates the early part of the Buddha's spiritual life, who upon coming out of His sheltered palace, for the first time saw the worldly realities of old age, illness and death. What made the Buddha different was that He wanted to find a way to overcome these sorrows, to put an end to them. Bhagavan explains that "Buddha" or "Bodha" means total knowledge. Bhagavan draws a comparison to our contemporary life, including His own, pointing out that these struggles are very much present in our lives today as well. We should become aware of them, and their inevitability; try not to shun them, but face them .

Bhagavan talks about why the great masters come to earth. The enlightened beings always say “Know Thy Self”, “Know the Truth”, obtain Knowledge. They are not saying go get money in the world. But what is knowledge? It is the way things actually are, not just how they appear. The masters have been sharing knowledge with us for our benefit. They want to help us become more perfect, get more peace. Bhagavan gives the example of the Buddha. He is loved by all people of the world. Why? Because of the love and knowledge he gave to all beings, including animals. Similarly, with International Vedanta Society , all the work we are doing are for the people. The people in turn should understand that the world is not just for them, but for all beings, including the animals.

Swamiji discusses the most important holiday of Guru Purnima.  Whereever you find yourself in the world, you can celebrate it alone, in private.   On this day, the disciple meditates on their relationship with his/her guru. Guru is everything - my mother, my father, sister, brother, friend, the guru everything to me! We dedicate this day to this relationship. This holiday stems back to the day of birth of Sage Vyasa. He was the sage who put in writing all the Vedas. Note: t he day is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July). In 2018 it falls on July 27th. Biography of Swami Nirgunananda

Tejomoyee Ma narrates the history and meaning of the Guru Purnima celebration in India, which dates back to the birth of Sage Vyasa (the writer of the Vedas). Tejo Ma says that the guru plays the most important role in the aspirant's spiritual life. The guru is the one who imparts knowledge on you and helps you realize your true identity, as the Self. Biography of Tejomoyee Ma

Tejomoyee Ma says that spiritual practice is like preparing to take an umbrella with you ahead of an impending rain. We must invest in it even when our days are fine and it is not yet raining. Why? Because the fine feeling will not last, and turbulent time  are  certain to come.  Having made the proper investment, spirituality will pay off at a future time when we need it most. Because invariably life always takes its turn. We must think of God or Guru always.  Sri Sri Bhagavan always encourages us to do so. We must develop an unconditional love for God, because in this world all love is otherwise conditional.  Biography of Tejomoyee Ma

Swami Prahladananda explains the sweet path of devotion ( bhakti yoga) for the realization of God. It is a flexible path because the devotee may love and worship God in any way of their choosing. It is therefore considered a much easier path than, say Raja Yoga, which is stricter and more methodical. Swamiji discusses the four main stages of Bhakti Yoga, namely Bhakta , Bhav , Mahabhav  and Prem : 1. In the stage of Bhakta (a devotee) - the person gives God a certain role, like that of a friend, a father, a mother, a child, or a beloved, and assumes a corresponding role of a devotee themselves. Thus practicing, the devotee gains pure love for God. Like Sri Ramakrishna used to practice for years taking care of a Ramlal figurine (Lord Rama as a child): feeding, bathing and putting him to sleep. 2. Proceeding thus, the devotee enters the stage of Bhava , where they develop single-minded devotion for their God ideal ( Ishta ). The love becomes so intense and the mind so one...

Vedanta means the culmination of knowledge, ultimate knowledge. It is where all the spiritual paths and religions end up when sought all the way through, seeking the direct realization of God, or the Universal Self. The aspirant earnestly and bravely makes progress to realize what is actually Real and True in this world and discriminates away the False. Once the Truth is realized, layers and layers of the superimposed ego which have bound the person for so long with sorrow, fears and other afflictions fall away. The knower ( vijnani ) finally rests in the ocean of non-dual oneness, the sat-chit-ananda  (existence-consciousness-bliss) Absolute. The goal worth investing every single moment of one's life. Enjoy!

Maharajji explains that the mind creates the multiplicity of the external world. However, underneath it is all one undivided and absolute reality, Brahman. Just like the wave that appears to have separated from the sea, it will fall down again and reemerge with the sea. Biography of Maharajji (Swami Keshavananda)

Maharajji explains that the mind receives its energy from the soul, but it does not know it!  The soul is like the root of the tree. Our original identity is this consciousness, but it gets superimposed by the instruments of the five sheaths ( koshas ). The instruments constantly go outside to the world, hence do not know they are being directed from within. In meditation we practice going back to the source. And although those instruments are ever changing, our soul on the contrary stays the same. It is our actual I, the Self. Spirituality is a natural process where we go back to our true Self. We are actually the embodiment of peace, knowledge, love, joy, existence, an the all-pervading consciousness. Free from birth and death. Once we realize this, the remaining mind will become the same as the soul, or Atman.