I had recently started with Foundational course, with a purpose of better understanding of the concepts I learned in life, how I had learned them, what they actually meant, and ultimately gaining some clarity to unlearn what's misinterpreted, so as to gain the correct understanding.
My question is in relation to the discussion related to the importance of religion mentioned in Lesson 1 & 2.
I understand that religion mentions practices which assist us in being focused to our ideal and not get distracted out of misunderstanding of freedom, but are all religion same in this direction?
If that is so, then why are there different religion? Why are different religion have different practices, restraining (maybe a wrong word to use) an individual from different actions? What does it mean by the religion?
If someone can guide for this question, or could suggest some source, it would be a great help.
In Lesson 22.2, Significance of Om, it is said that sound is property of space. However, we know that sound cannot travel in space (i.e. vacuum) . Sound needs a medium (like air). Given this, could you please elaborate how is Sound considered as property of Space?
Also, can we say that air can be perceived with sense of smell as well given that we experience various kinds of smells in the air itself?
In the course "Foundation Vedanta course in Hindi", only the pdfs are in Hindi. Rest, the audio and video is in English. Please provide videos in Hindi. Or atleast provide Hindi subtitles. Or it will be difficult to learn.
In Questionnaire 7, Question#23, correct answer for "The mind is predominantly made of:" is given as Sattva. However, isn't it true that everyone's mind has all three gunas in different proportions? We have learned that Mind and intellect are what makes human beings unique. We even learned that varna vyavstha was also based on different proportions of these three gunas in an individual. If every Mind is predominantly made of Sattva, every one will be Brahman (in terms of varna). No one will be Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra. Can someone please explain?
In Questionnaire 7, Question#26, correct answer for "The infinite God-principle is:" is given as The pure sattva (unactivity) However, isn't the God-principle nirguna? i.e. beyond all three gunas?
Sa-Isvara Sankya believes in God. So why is it considered under Theistic "Atheism" ? Since it believes in Veda and also in God, shouldn't it be classified under Theistic Theism? What makes it fall under Atheism?
Lesson 7.4 - State of Divinity mentions 3 techniques to achieve state of divinity.
Jnana yoga
Bhakti yoga
Karma yoga
We have also heard "Raj yoga" which is also a book by Swami Vivekananda. Where does this technique fall into and what kind of people is it suitable for? Is there a reason this technique is not mentioned in the lesson?
In topic 4.2 Mechanism of Action, it is said that "vasanas create desire in the intellect; desires produce thoughts in mind". I am confused by this statement. Since mind is seat for emotions and intellect being the discriminating faculty, shouldn't desire be created in mind and thoughts in the intellect instead of other way around? Could someone please help clarify this?
Hari Om, In some questions the answer key provides answer choices that were not on the original exam. Ex. Questionnaire 3 #28
28.The correct definition of ritualism is: □ Superstition □ Knowledge of the unknown expressed through the organs of action □ Physical performance of ceremonies □ A blind dogma □ A ceremony to appease God
The correct answer choice here was not on the original test. It instead had the option "Worship of an ideal with an idol". Can these be checked and corrected?
Hari Om, I have started the course and watching the videos but not doing well on the post tests. Is there a minimum score that is needed to pass the course? Trying to pay closer attention but the tests are tricky with more than one answer sometimes Thank you
Just took lesson 1 of foundations of vedanta course. The concept discussed here is that if we continue to reduce our desires, we will attain more happiness. Ultimately, not having any desires equals infinite happiness. However, isn't this like running away from the battlefield without engaging? A rather simple path? It's also not the path most of us choose as we prefer to have a family, a successful career and so on and still find happiness. Is there no way to accomplish that..?
In The Lesson 3.3 it is said that- According to Vedanta our organs of knowledge and action are facilities which are subtle and belong to realm of subtle body. I would like an explanation on this. I am not sure I understand this. Does subtle body means consciousness?
In the first lesson, 2nd topic the teacher uses a term in Sanskrit or Hindi which I could not hear correctly . It refers to « how you look at things ».
I am new to the course , but not new to Advita Vedanta. Both Shankara + Ramana Maharshi (with whose material I am familiar) specify that ATMAN is identical to Brahma.
Question 1:
Can I use ATMAN as my idol, such as for example by printing the word ATMAN in sanskrit?
Question 2
Can a saint be considered an idol such as Ramana Maharshi?
Question 3
Can devotion to idol include burning incense before the image? This helps generate in me a sence of the sacred and devotion.
There is a nagging question in the mind of sadhakas. The question is "What should we do when there is so much terrorism happening in the world. Should we remain focused on our Inner transformation, being calm and peaceful (passive) or is there any other thing which we need to do? Probably, when such acts affect us or our families, then we should remain calm is what Vedanta teaches us. What is the art of right contact with the world in such cases?