Monday, 23 February 2026

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This is a masterful summary of Shri Shankar Ramas Sharma’s discourse. It effectively moves from the intellectual "what" of Advaita Vedanta to the practical "how" of living it.

To help you internalize these profound analogies—which are the traditional "teaching tools" (prakriyas) of the Upanishads—I’ve organized the core concepts into a visual framework.

1. The Three Great Analogies of Oneness

Advaita uses these specific metaphors to bypass the logical mind’s insistence that "many things cannot be one."

The AnalogyThe ConceptWhat it Teaches
Gold & OrnamentsKarya-Karana (Effect & Cause)The substance (Gold/Brahman) is real; the form (Ring/World) is a temporary name.
The DreamerPratibhasika (Apparent Reality)Multiplicity exists only as long as the observer is "asleep" to the truth.
Ocean & WavesAtman-Brahman IdentityThe "small" wave is not a part of the ocean; it is the ocean acting as a wave.

2. The Mechanics of Ignorance: Upadhi

You mentioned the term Upadhi (limiting adjuncts). This is perhaps the most important technical term for a seeker.

  • Imagine a single light bulb.

  • If you place a red filter over it, the light looks red.

  • If you place a blue filter, it looks blue.

    The light hasn't changed, but the Upadhi (the filter) makes it appear limited and colored. In Advaita, our body, ego, and mind are the "filters" that make the infinite Brahman look like a "limited person."


3. The Path of Practice (Sadhana)

The session outlines a clear three-step process for moving from intellectual "knowing" to actual "being."

  1. Shravana (Listening): Not just hearing, but receiving the truth from a Parampara (lineage).

  2. Manana (Contemplation): Using logic to clear doubts. This is where you ask: "If I am Brahman, why do I feel pain?"

  3. Nididhyasana (Meditation): Sitting with the truth until the "I am the body" habit is replaced by "I am Consciousness."


4. Living as a "Jnani"

The most encouraging part of this session is the "Actor" metaphor.

  • An actor playing Hamlet cries on stage, but he doesn't call an ambulance, because he knows he is actually "John Smith."

  • Similarly, an Advaitin fulfills roles (parent, employee, citizen) with total commitment, but with an inner "smile," knowing their true nature is untouched by worldly gain or loss.

Key Takeaway: Advaita is not about becoming something new; it is about de-hypnotizing yourself from the idea that you are limited.

Since you have such a detailed breakdown of the philosophy, would you like me to help you draft a set of "Daily Contemplations" based on these teachings to help bridge the gap between study and daily life?

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