Chapter 1 — A progressive universe
Part I

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• The Big Bang, a new perspective

This is a short web-article on how science and spirituality are coming closer together. Michael Mamas states that it is Consciousness that is behind the Big Bang.

There are certainly a number of unaddressed problems with the Big Bang Theory in its current form. No doubt, over time it will be revised. Today, The Big Bang Theory of modern physics states… Continue reading at rational spirituality

• The evolution of consciousness

Sri Aurobindo writes a short essay about the evolution of Consciousness. He articulates that this evolution is still continuing and that our human existence will go beyond mental man.

All life here is a stage or a circumstance in an unfolding progressive evolution of a Spirit that has involved itself in Matter and is labouring to manifest itself in that reluctant substance. This is the whole secret... Continue reading at evolution of consciousness

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Watch some short videos in class or at home to get further inspired and motivated to start an active discussion with your classmates. The various points of view on evolution presented in the texts and the videos of this chapter are the outcome of extensive research by eminent scientists. Get more clarity on your thoughts by discussing them.

• Video-Vedic science

A 4-minute video about the Big Bang and Vedic Knowledge.
The question that is discussed in this short video is about knowledge through scientific analysis and intuitive knowledge through experience beyond the mind.

 

Chapter 1 — A progressive universe
Part II

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• The global brain

Peter Russell discusses how a new science is developing that sees our earth as a system in which we are all interconnected. He speaks of humanity as a planetary nervous system, that he calls, "The global brain."

Twenty-five years ago, when this book was first published, the information revolution had hardly begun. There were no personal computers, cell phones, pagers, CDs, DVDs, or digital cameras, let alone a Worldwide Web. Few of us at that time foresaw where the dawning digital technology would take us; even science fiction writers were wide of the mark. Continue reading at the global network

• Concept of consciousness

Matthijs Cornelissen, in an article titled Sri Aurobindo's evolutionary ontology of consciousness, discusses that the construct of an ongoing evolution of consciousness has already been perceived in Vedic times. In recent times, Sri Aurobindo reintroduced and enlarged this Vedic vision, which is the central theme of his work.

In the Vedic ontology, from which Sri Aurobindo derived his concept of consciousness, consciousness is not only seen as individualized awareness. It is the very essence of everything in existence and as such not only the source of individuation and the sense of self, but also... Continue reading at concept of consciousness

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• Video-The global brain

The main ideas in this chapter can be watched in a beautiful 35-minute video. The astronauts sent us pictures from space. Through these, humanity became aware that our earth is one single living organism.

• National Geographic, Space Odyssee, Episode 1, Standing up in the Milky Way

There are 13 episodes in this series and they are all very interesting and beautiful. Earlier they were freely available on the web, but unfortunately this is not anymore so. They are worth watching; try to connect.

• Video-Carl Sagan cosmos series

Carl Sagan is an astronomer known all over the world. Some of his videos are freely available on the web.

• The Nasa website has some interesting pictures free of cost: Video-nasa.gov

Chapter 2 - Thoughts on consciousness

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• What is Brahman?

A short article from the Bihar School of Yoga explaining that Brahman or the Supreme Self exists. This pure Consciousness is omnipresent. The article continues with describing the nature of Brahman.

Brahman or the Supreme Self is beyond time and space, causation. He is limitless. He is tranquil. He shines with equal effulgence in all bodies. He cannot be any particular thing. He is… Continue reading at brahman - supreme self

• Consciousness and Indian psychology

K. Ramakrishna Rao explains what makes Indian psychology unique is that it gives a central place to pure Consciousness. He describes how important this is for the development of humanity in an article titled Centrality of Consciousness in Indian psychology.

The pervasive theme of Indian psychology is consciousness. The centrality of consciousness in the human condition is asserted in the Hindu darshanas as well as in the heterodox systems like Buddhism and Jainism. The overarching concern in Indian psychology... Continue reading at consciousness and Indian psychology

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• Video-Science and consciousness

A 14-minute video on the dilemma of science and consciousness. This is a short video that may lead to a lively class discussion on the world views of hard science and humanities, including spirituality. To view it well, one has to pause the video and start a discussion to affirm or reject  the statement that is made.

• Video-The ship of Theseus

This is an ancient thought experiment exploring what makes you 'You'.

Chapter 3 - The main philosophical systems of the Indian tradition

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• Vedic literature

An article of five pages of eSamskriti about the Vedas and Upanishads.

The Vedic philosophy encompasses the oldest spiritual texts of any religion in the world, and its subjects are broad and numerous. Its more advanced concepts can be difficult for even the greatest scholars to fathom. The Vedic literature discusses many types of philosophical viewpoints, and studying some of them will let us see that many of the concepts that we accept as new today are nothing more than parts of the ancient Vedic knowledge that... Continue reading at Vedas and Upanishads

• Spirituality and Indian culture

Kireet Joshi, in his book The Veda and Indian Culture, gives in one chapter an historic overview of Indian spirituality and describes how it influenced the Indian culture.

The history of India would remain enigmatic, particularly, the remarkable phenomenon of the continuity of Indian culture through the millennia would remain a mystery if we do not take into account the role that spirituality has played... Continue reading at spirituality and Indian culture

• Psychology based on the study of Consciousness

An article of Sri Aurobindo, titled Towards a true scientific psychology. In this essay from his book Essays Divine and Human, he explains that Consciousness can be studied scientifically in the same way as sciences like Physics are studied.

When the ancient thinkers of India set themselves to study the soul of man in themselves and others, they, unlike any other nation or school of early thought, ... Continue reading at towards a true scientific psychology

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• Video-Vedic thoughts

An 18 minutes TEDx talk of Swami Sarvapriyananda of the Ramakrishna Math. He answers the questions Who am I? Are we Divine? He uses a technique to help us experience how Vedic thought can be applied today.

• Sages and saints of India

There are many long and short movies or documentaries of saints and sages like Shankaracharya, Tukaram, etc. available on YouTube. Choose from the rich variety and enjoy yourself!

Chapter 4 - The concept of satchitananda and the urge for happiness

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• I am

In this short article M.S. Srinivasan explains that we have in us an eternal source.

The most fundamental psychological experience of our being is the sense of “I AM” or in other words, “I exist and am aware of my existence.”  What is the ultimate inner source… Continue reading at psychology of the absolute

• The philosophy of Vedanta

A long introduction, written by Swami Sarvapriyananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, explains the essence of the Upanishads and the philosophy of Vedanta.

The Vedas are the core scriptures of Hinduism and the Upanishads are texts which form the philosophical essence of the Vedas. The Upanishads are collectively called the Vedanta. The Vedantic world-view permeates all aspects of Indian culture and way of thinking. Literally, Vedanta means 'end of the Vedas' and indeed,... Continue reading at sat chit ananda

• The concept of satchitananda

This is an essay written in somewhat difficult English in which Sri Aurobindo explains the meaning of the words sat and chit and ananda and how together they form a unity. This is an essay from his book Essays Divine and Human.

The Vedanta, that solemn affirmation of the ultimate truths beyond which no human thinking has ever proceeded, or can proceed, looking deep into... Continue reading at satchitananda

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• Video-The habits of happiness

A TED-talk of 20 minutes on Happiness by Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk.

• Video-Happiness is all in your mind

A Tedx talk of 16 minutes by a Buddhist nun, Gen. Kelsang Nyema. She ends her talk with a nice 3-minute meditation practice.

There are various ways to heal ourselves when we go through a painful period in our life.
Similarly there are practices for keeping us physically and emotionally healthy. Repeating a mantra has been throughout the ages one of the means with a beneficial outcome. Sri Aurobindo writes in answer to a question about the power of a mantra,

The function of a mantra is to create vibrations in the inner consciousness that will prepare it for the realisation of what the mantra symbolises and is supposed indeed to carry within itself. Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Yoga, p. 1040.

• Video-Moola mantra

There is a mantra on happiness and healing. This mantra is known as the Moola mantra. Here is a 13-minute video where the mantra is sung in a modern way with written explanations of the text of the mantra and explanations on Satchitananda: Om satchitananda parabrahma.

• Video-Mrityunjaya mantra

Another mantra in a more traditional rendering is a mantra for healing from the ashram of Anandamayi Ma.

• Video-Tibetan Buddhists chants

A 6-minute video of Tibetan Buddhist Chanting - Shar Gan-Ri Ma, meaning the heart of Dharma.

• Video-Buddhist chant for health

A 6-minute video of Buddhist monks chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo; a chant for health.

Chapter 5 - Planes of consciousness or gradations of substance

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• Planes of consciousness

This article gives an extensive overview on the variety of views on planes of consciousness in the Indian traditions. Please read 1 to 5.3 of this link.

In esoteric cosmology, a plane other than the physical plane is conceived as a subtle state of consciousness that transcends the known physical universe. The concept may be found in religious and esoteric teachings—e.g. Vedanta (Advaita Vedanta), Ayyavazhi, Shamanism, Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, Kashmir Shaivism, Sant Mat/Surat Shabd Yoga, Sufism, Druze, Kabbalah, Theosophy, Anthroposophy, Rosicrucianism (Esoteric Christian), Eckankar, Ascended Master Teachings, etc. Continue reading at plane (esotericism)

• The five subtle bodies

The next article is an introduction about the five subtle bodies around the gross physical body.

According to the yoga tradition, every one of us has five bodies, each made of increasingly finer grades of energy. The five progressively subtler bodies that compose our personality are… Continue reading at yoga international

• The ascending planes

A challenging read with extensive information but difficult English can be found in Sri Aurobindo's book The life divine. The name of the chapter "The ascending series of gradations of substance," pp. 269-75, indicates the content of this read.

Even within the formula of the physical cosmos there is an ascending series in the scale of Matter which leads us from the more to the less dense, from the less to the more subtle. Where we reach the highest term of that series, the most supra-ethereal subtlety of material substance or formulation of Force, what lies beyond?… Continue reading at the ascending planes

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• Video-What is consciouness

In this 18-minute TED talk David Chalmers talks about the phenomenon of consciousness. He says that our consciousness is a fundamental aspect of our existence. There's nothing we know about more directly… but at the same time it's the most mysterious phenomenon in the universe.

• Video-The koshas

We are fundamentally spiritual beings covered in sheaths of various densities! This is a short overview of the koshas from Yoga International. Note that in this talk the intellectual connotation of vijnanamaya kosha is mentioned and not the spiritual meaning.

Chapter 6 - Who am I in the evolution?

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• Human evolution

Nadia Drake of National Geographic gives a good introduction with some interesting questions on human evolution, but the concept of Consciousness is not addressed in this link.

With all the buzz about Homo naledi, the newly discovered human ancestor, here's some background that will help put it in context. Why are scientists certain that human evolution happened? They look specifically at living matter and find a number of reasons: We share nearly 99 percent of our genetic sequence with chimpanzees and bonobos, which strongly suggests we share a common ancestor. And there are... Continue reading at human evolution

• Human evolution and consciousness

The following article by Peter Russell answers questions like, When did consciousness arise? Are all creatures conscious?

Before we can begin to consider the evolution of consciousness, we have to ask when consciousness first arose. Are human beings alone conscious, or are other creatures also conscious? Is an animal such as a dog, for example,... Continue reading at human evolution of consciousness

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• Video-Human evolution

A 4-minute introduction of the Smithsonian Institute on Human Evolution.

• Video-Evolution of human beings

A 10-minute video from the Science Channel on how, starting from one common ancestor in Africa, human beings slowly spread over the earth.

Chapter 7 - Who am I - Parts and planes

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• Our many selves

This is the title of a compilation with small, usually one-page, clippings pertaining to the parts and planes of our being from the works of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. We quote from the preface.

Yoga is generally associated with certain practices such as postures, breathing exercises, meditation and the like. In addition, yoga is understood as consisting in certain rules and norms pertaining to aspects of one's outer life, such as diet, habits, acts of conduct. However, as taught by Sri Aurobindo, yoga consists essentially in inner psychological work aimed at the change and transformation of consciousness. As he states: "yoga is nothing but practical psychology… Continue reading at our many selves

• Spiritual faculties

We all have heard the word 'mindfulness'. It comes from the Buddhists tradition. The following is an article of the Vipassana Fellowship.

The Buddha spoke about five spiritual faculties that turn into spiritual powers if we cultivate and develop them. We all have these faculties within and developing them means making them powerful qualities... Continue reading at spiritual faculties

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• Video-Invest in yourself

This is a 25-minute talk of Vedanta Vision. It is a part of a series of lectures given by Jaya Row.

• Video-How to live happily

A 9-minute video which is a part of a talk given by Sadhguru, Jaggi Vasudev at IIT, Chennai.

• Video-Thoughts, feelings and behaviour

A 2-minute cartoon-video that explains the thoughts-emotion cycle.

• Video-Emotions

A 2-minute explanation by Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk, on emotions.

Reflect for 5 minutes on personal experiences related to the two short videos above.
Make notes for yourself or, if you maintain a diary, write your reflections there.

Chapter 8 - Who am I — the inner nature, the ego, the soul and the Spirit

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• Has the ego to be destroyed?

Sadhguru of the Isha Foundation explains that the ego need not be destroyed. He writes about transcending the limited existence of the physical being and mentions that there are tools for 'inner management'.

"Ego" is not something that you got because you did something well or because you became rich or beautiful or anything else. When you started kicking in your mother's womb, the ego was born… Continue reading at ego

• Can we try to contact the soul?

Neeltje Huppes, in Psychic education, a workbook, explains the advice and also some of the exercises for finding our soul given by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

How to start the search for the psychic being? We caution you beforehand, it may take years to have the experience of a complete discovery. But each time you go in search of it and open yourself to the innermost reality, you will receive something from there. Continue reading at psychic being

• The eternal beyond the mind

A challenging read in Sri Aurobindo’s book, Kena and other Upanishads. In this short chapter he answers the question what is and what is not our real Self.

The eternal beyond the mind. The Upanishad first affirms the existence of this profounder, vaster, more puissant consciousness behind our mental being. That, it affirms, is Brahman. Mind, Life, Sense, Speech are not... Continue reading at the eternal beyond the mind

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• Video-Soul, spirit and ego

An 8-minute video of Carol Dryer. She explains clearly the concepts of soul, spirit and ego.

• Video-Is the ego a mistake?

Eckhart Tolle is the author of the book, The power of now. Here is a 9-minute video in which he answers the question, Are thoughts the source of ego?

Chapter 9 - The three gunas— the three essential modes of nature

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• Three gunas

This is a long article in the Wikipedia. The first part gives interesting details of the concept of guna under three philosophical schools. This variety marks the Indian tradition and gives us insight into how detailed they studied this psychological concept.

The concept originated in Samkhya philosophy, but is now a key concept in various schools of Hindu philosophy. There are three gunas, according to this worldview, that have always been and continue to be present in all things and beings in the world. These three gunas... Continue reading at gunas

• The triple gunas, sattva, rajas and tamas

This article traces the origin of three gunas and discusses how this concept is treated in the Bhagavad Gita.

According to the Bhagavadgita, the gunas (the primary qualities or modes of nature) are three in number, sattva, rajas and tamas. They exist in all, including humans, in various degrees of concentration and combination. They also exist in objects and natural products. Hence, even the food... Continue reading at three modes of nature

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• Video-The three gunas

Leela Mata of Yoga Vidya explains this concept clearly in simple terms in a 6-minute talk.

• Video-The three gunas in chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita

Jaya Row of Vedanta Vision has given a series of talks about Chapter 14 of the Baghavad Gita in which the three gunas are mentioned. In the talk, selected here, she explains in brief the six parts of chapter 14 and gives a detailed description of the verses 1 to 4 in the light of the Vedanta philosophy.

Chapter 10 - Self-observation

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• Self-observation

Here are some pages of a book, written in easy English, with self-enquiry worksheets and exercises. The concept of self-observation is explained and the worksheets and exercises are meant to experience what self-observation is about.

Self-observation is a journey in the inner worlds. It is similar to travelling by train. When you travel you look out through the window and observe the landscape, the people and their habits. When you go on an inner journey you look within, you observe yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, your habits and slowly you journey deeper and deeper inside yourself. Continue reading at psychic education

• Self-observation leads to self-understanding

This is a short article called Self-observation, The thinker behind the thought, from Conscious Living Centre.

In my experience, one of the keys to personal development and ultimately self-understanding is observing how your mind works, what your heart feels and what your body experiences. Continue reading at thinker behind the thought

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• Video-Why introspection matters

This is a cartoonlike presentation of The School of Life.

• Video-5 minutes for inner exploration

In a video of 12 minutes, Sadhguru of the Isha Foundation talks about the five elements that make up our body – earth, water, fire, wind and space and how we can take care of these.

• Video-How do we break the habit of excessive thinking?

In an 11 minute video Eckhart Tolle explores how we are addicted to thinking and how we can by self-observation break this habit.

Chapter 11 - The Vital—prana and Mind—manas
Part I

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• How to live on a higher consciousness level

This article of Powerful Intentions is about heightening one's awareness which is the beginning of enriching and harmonising one's life.

In this lesson I would like to help you understand how to practice shifting to a higher consciousness level. If you want to begin creating your life, instead of reacting to life, it is extremely important that you begin looking at your Self and your life with a fresh perceptive on a higher level. Most of us do not consciously 'watch ourselves.'... Continue reading at higher consciousness level

• Live through consciousness, not through emotions

This is more like a blog by Lindsay Fortino. It narrates an experience of the writer on how consciousness can help us deal with emotions.

"Live through consciousness, not through emotions". This is the quote I looked down at as I made my "stress relieving" tea this evening. This quote spoke loudly to me. I often read the yogi quotes that are on tea bag ends and smile, but tonight, it spoke. How do we live through our consciousness, and not through our emotions? What is consciousness, and where do our emotions come from? Continue reading at live through consciousness

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• Video-Inner peace

Inner Peace can be as simple as letting go, and resting under the shade of an old tree. A 22-minute talk of Swami Sarvapriyananda of the Vivekananda Samiti How to pull out inner peace.

• Video-Viral emotions

A 3-minute video from Britt Tanya of Higher Consciousness Leadership about strong emotions that we usually blame on others, or try to ignore.

Chapter 11 - The Vital—prana and Mind—manas
Part II

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• Mind and consciousness

This is an article by David Frawley in Light of Consciousness magazine. It is also published in the Mountain Path, which is a publication of the Sri Ramana Ashram in Tiruvannamalai.

What is the nature of the mind? How is it related to our consciousness? And, above all, who are we in our real being? What is our true identity or true Self behind the endless stream of thoughts going on inside us? These have always been the prime questions that we must ask ourselves. Continue reading at mind and consciousness

• The witnessing mind

This is a short article by Neera Kashyap from the magazine Life Positive. It gives a summary of the concept of sakshi bhava or witness consciousness.

"There are two birds, two sweet friends, who dwell on the self-same tree. One eats the fruits of the tree, and the other looks on in silence." This verse from the Mundaka Upanishad sums up the secret of abiding happiness, in our lives. We enjoy the fullness of life, yet simultaneously witness this participation silently. This seems essential... Continue reading at the witnessing mind

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• Video-How do you get to know yourself fully?

In a 6 minute video Sadhguru of the Isha Foundation talks about how, unfortunately, most of us go by the demands of society but do not pay enough attention to the potentials within ourselves.

• Video-Sharing a life-changing story

In a 17 minute video Swami Sarvapriyananda of the Ramakrishna Mission shares two stories that helped him to understand how we can develop a spiritual mind.

Chapter 12 - The soul — antaratman

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• The soul

The concept of soul varies in different traditions. This is a short historical overview from the encyclopaedia Britannica.

Soul, in religion and philosophy, the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being. It is often considered to be synonymous with the mind or the self. In theology, the soul is further defined as that part of the individual which partakes of divinity and often it is considered to survive the death of the body. Continue reading at concept of soul

• The steps of the soul

In this article The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram describes how through many lives we come to know who we really are in the depth of our being. This self-knowledge from deep within will give us insight in the role we play in the universe.

The human individual is a very complex being: he is composed of innumerable elements, each one of which is an independent entity and has almost a personality. Not only so, the most contradictory elements are housed together. If there is a particular quality or capacity present... Continue reading at the steps of the soul

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• Video-Evidence that the soul exists

In a 5 minute video surgeons describe a near death experience during the brain operation of Pam Reynolds.

• Video-The divinity within

A TEDx talk at IIM Ranchi of Swami Smarnananda Giri, a follower of the Kriya yoga of Paramahansa Yogananda, titled Being Actively Calm and Calmly Active.

Chapter 13 - The Ego - ahamkara and individuality

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• Individualisation on two levels

These two portions are packed with information. Read them slowly, make notes and formulate your own thoughts about the ego.

What gives you the impression that you are Manoj is the ego, and that you are altogether different from this one and that one; and what prevents your body from melting away like that, dissolving in a common mass of physical vibrations, is the ego; Continue reading at individualisation on two levels

• The dissolution of the ego

An article of Spiritual Awakening Process. It discusses that social approval is a key to understanding the ego. It warns us that we must not substitute our ego by a spiritual ego when we feel more free when the ego slowly steps aside.

The ego knows itself because of what is around it. That's how egos work. That's the essence of duality. There is me, and there is the other (everything else). Here's an example: I am smart. I know I am smart because I have a series of reference points of other people and a framework with which to judge them by. I got an A in math... Continue reading at dissolution of the ego

• The riddle of this world

Sri Aurobindo wrote an article in which he answers some questions like, Is there an evolutionary urge? Is Consciousness imprisoned in matter? Why have evil and sorrow entered in this manifestation?

All spiritual experience affirms that there is a Permanent above the transience of this manifested world we live in and this limited consciousness in whose narrow borders we grope and struggle, and that its characters are infinity, self-existence, freedom... Continue reading at the riddle of this world

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• Video-The ego, is this the I?

In a 4-minute video, Pravrajika Vidyaprana‬, from the Divine Life Society of California, asks, "How does Vedanta define Ego? Is this the 'I'?"

• Video-Are thoughts the source of ego?

In a 10-minute video, Eckhart Tolle answers the question "Are thoughts the source of ego?" In this presentation he gives practical advise for living a happier life.

Chapter 14 - Dealing with difficulties

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• You will always have an ego

An article from Spiritual Awakening Process by Jim Tolles. It describes how the dissolution of the unconscious ego can become a conscious ego by which we can take conscious decisions in harmony with our spiritual journey.

It's a funny world we live in. There's come to be this kind of anti-ego sentiment in spiritual circles. The ego has become the dirty word of our times when it comes to the spiritual path. But what are people talking about when they say the word, "ego." And how in the world could you ever really be without an ego? Continue reading at spiritual awakening

• You are not your mind

Lookwithinyou.com has short articles in which concepts like inner peace, spiritual awakening, non-duality, etc. are clearly expressed. The article chosen here explains why we are not our mind.

Accepting the idea that you are not the mind is a great step toward mental mastery, better concentration and meditation, and the attainment of inner peace. You realize this idea as a fact, after you develop the ability to focus your mind in accordance with your will. Being able to direct your mind according to your will is a proof that you are not your mind, but something higher and above it... Continue reading at you are not the mind

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• Video-Realizing your potential

Life Lessons for Realizing Your Potential, a 19-minute TEDx San Antonio talk of Gurvinder P. Singh. Let your potential be based on values. In G.P. Singh's case they are based on Sikhism. He shares lessons he learnt in his life. Know yourself, develop a vision, commitment to service and take time to reflect.

• Video-How does karma fit in what you teach?

In a 14-minute video, Eckhart Tolle gives his views on karma in a world that seems fortunate for some and unfortunate for others: The more the Presence grows in you the more you will get freedom from karma.

Chapter 15 - Self-perfection—The process of conscious living

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• When am I conscious?

A one-page quote from the Collected Works of The Mother on "When am I conscious?"

That is always a relative question. One is never altogether unconscious and one is never completely conscious. It is a progressive state. But a time comes when instead of doing things automatically, impelled by a consciousness and force of which one is quite unaware — a time comes when one can observe what goes on in oneself, study one's movements, find their causes,... Continue reading at when am I conscious?

• Cultivating the witness

An article in which Ram Dass describes that the witness is actually another layer of awareness.

One way to get free of attachment is to cultivate the witness consciousness, to become a neutral observer of your own life. The witness place inside you is simple awareness, the part of you that is aware of everything — just noticing, watching, not judging, just being present, being here now... Continue reading at cultivating the witness

Read also excess baggage at the same website.

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• Video-Witness consciousness: being in the world but not of the world

A rather terse short talk of Paul Ferrini on how to step back from a block that you are facing. The advice is not to identify with it.

• Video-Vipassana: how to deal with negative emotions

In a 9-minute video S.N. Goenka gives a method for observing anger without identifying with it. He advises to observe what is happening inside the body. He cautions us not to expect the other to change. Instead, change yourself.

• Video-Finding our unique path

Margot Borden says we all have a unique Path. Do try to find it.

Chapter 16 - A way of life

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• The power of attitude

A one-page description of how the layer of consciousness in which we are situated influences our perception and action — a short practical advice given by The Mother of Sri Aurobindo ashram.

Is it really the best that always happens? … It is clear that all that happens had to happen: it could not be otherwise — by the universal determinism it had to happen. But... Continue reading at power of attitude

• How to change one's consciousness?

The Mother of Sri Aurobindo ashram answers this question by telling that there are many ways. The indication of the way to be followed often comes in a flash. Thereafter try to relive this experience in depth and gain clarity about the road to be taken.

Mother, how to change consciousness? Naturally, there are many ways, but each person must do it by the means accessible to him; and the indication of the way usually comes spontaneously, through something like an unexpected experience... Continue reading at to change one's consciousness

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• Video-Quiet mind and calm heart through self-awareness

A 7-minute video excerpt from Eckhart Tolle's video and audio program, "The Awakening of Consciousness."

• Video-How to find spiritual connection

A 17-minute TED talk by Swami Radhanath Swami on how we can be spiritually connected in daily life.

• Video-Source of identification

A 10-minute video by Eckart Tolle on what happens when we Identify with our Ego and where does our true sense of identification lies.