As do all Vedanta teachings, it begins with an invocation to the self and discusses the uniqueness of the quest for enlightenment (moksha). After discussing the qualifications required for enlightenment, and emphasizing the need for a teacher, it proceeds to present the method of discrimination required to remove the confusion between the self—limitless awareness—and the ‘not-self’ comprised of the world and the body/mind entity we mistakenly believe ourselves to be. Other topics addressed are: the nature and origin of bondage, how it is maintained, how liberation happens, the nature of the individual, the nature of the self, the benefits of obtaining self-knowledge, karma for a liberated person and what happens after enlightenment.

Because the original text has over five hundred verses, many of which are redundant, a great mahatma, Swami Paramarthananda of Chennai, selected 108 of the most essential verses, which were then commented upon in a book by his guru, Swami Dayananda. The Vivekachudamani Video Series is based on this book, which is unfortunately out of print. However, a clear rendering of these verses with commentary is available from Shining World as, “The Crown Jewel of Discrimination.”

SPECIFICATIONS: 14 MP3 FILES. 18,45 HOURS OF TEACHING.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

As do all Vedanta teachings, it begins with an invocation to the self and discusses the uniqueness of the quest for enlightenment (moksha). After discussing the qualifications required for enlightenment, and emphasizing the need for a teacher, it proceeds to present the method of discrimination required to remove the confusion between the self—limitless awareness—and the ‘not-self’ comprised of the world and the body/mind entity we mistakenly believe ourselves to be. Other topics addressed are: the nature and origin of bondage, how it is maintained, how liberation happens, the nature of the individual, the nature of the self, the benefits of obtaining self-knowledge, karma for a liberated person and what happens after enlightenment.

Because the original text has over five hundred verses, many of which are redundant, a great mahatma, Swami Paramarthananda of Chennai, selected 108 of the most essential verses, which were then commented upon in a book by his guru, Swami Dayananda. The Vivekachudamani Video Series is based on this book, which is unfortunately out of print. However, a clear rendering of these verses with commentary is available from Shining World as, “The Crown Jewel of Discrimination.”

SPECIFICATIONS: 16 MP3 FILES, RECORDED IN SOUTH AFRICA 2014. ALMOST 18 HOURS LONG.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

It is a premier Vedantic text. As do all our teachings, it begins with an invocation to the self and discusses the uniqueness of the quest for enlightenment. It then enumerates the factors involved, starting with the qualifications necessary for success and the need for a teacher. It then presents the fundamental discrimination required to remove the confusion between the self, limitless awareness, and the reflected ‘self’ the world and the individual. The topics are: the nature and origin of bondage, how it is maintained, how liberation happens, the nature of the apparent self, the nature of the self and how to discriminate between the apparent self and the self, the benefits of obtaining a non-dual vision, karma for a liberated person and what happens after enlightenment.

Because the original text has over five hundred verses, many of them redundant, I am teaching from an truncated version of 108 of the most essential verses selected by one of the greatest living mahatmas, Swami Paramarthananda of Chennai, one of Swami Dayananda’s disciples. My teaching is based on Swami Dayanda’s commentaries of the verses. Unfortunately, Dayananda’s text is no longer available but you can get a copy of the verses rendered in clear English on Shiningworld. See Publications.

SPECIFICATIONS: 14 MP3 FILES. NEARLY 24 HOURS OF TEACHING.

Note: This is the same video that was offered previously as Vivekachoodamani

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

Vedanta Full Set Audio 225 Hrs.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

Due to their cryptic nature, the Upanishads must be unfolded by a proper teacher to be understood.

And in this series, James Swartz, in his direct style, does just that. It is a valuable tool for those wishing to deepen their inquiry by delving into the source texts of Vedanta.

SPECIFICATIONS: MP3 VERSION OF THE UPANISHAD VIDEO SERIES. 15 HOURS OF AUDIO.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

Vedanta is a complete systematic teaching that sets an individual free from dependence on sentient beings and insentient things.  To set yourself free, an inquirer needs to understand the basic teachings.  Tattva Bodh is an introductory text written by Shankaracharya that presents the fundamental ideas in the standardized terminology used in all intermediate and advanced Vedantic texts.  Without a common language, the direct transmission that removes one’s ignorance will not take place.  ShiningWorld offers two Tattva Bodh seminars for the price of one.  Tattva Bodh means “Knowledge of Truth” and presents reality’s fundamental material, psychological and spiritual principles.

SPECIFICATIONS:

AMSTERDAM 2014 – 8 AUDIOS. 9 HOURS OF TEACHINGS.

BELGIUM 2016 – 10 AUDIOS. 10 HOURS OF TEACHINGS.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

SPECIFICATIONS: SELF INQUIRY SEMINAR, WILTON, CONNECTICUT 2016. 6 FILES – 9 HOURS LONG.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

However, in recent times, introductory texts have been written in contemporary language, such as “How to Attain Enlightenment” and “The Essence of Enlightenment.” These books give a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of Vedanta—one that perfectly prepares an inquirer to study the original prakarana granthas and the prasthana traya—and they form the basis of the Self-Inquiry Video Series. In this series, James Swartz, in his inimitable down-to-earth style, addresses topics such as the difference between experience and knowledge, the qualifications for enlightenment (moksha), karma yoga, devotion (bhakti), meditation, lifestyle, the three gunas, the method of discrimination (viveka) and more. Never before have the timeless teachings of Vedanta been presented in such an accessible fashion. Therefore, this video series—as well as the books it is based on—is an essential guide for serious inquirers.

SPECIFICATIONS: SELF INQUIRY SEMINAR, SANTA FE 2015. 11 AUDIO FILES – 15 HOURS.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

However, in recent times, introductory texts have been written in contemporary language, such as “How to Attain Enlightenment” and “The Essence of Enlightenment.” These books give a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of Vedanta—one that perfectly prepares an inquirer to study the original prakarana granthas and the prasthana traya—and they form the basis of the Self-Inquiry Video Series. In this series, James Swartz, in his inimitable down-to-earth style, addresses topics such as the difference between experience and knowledge, the qualifications for enlightenment (moksha), karma yoga, devotion (bhakti), meditation, lifestyle, the three gunas, the method of discrimination (viveka) and more. Never before have the timeless teachings of Vedanta been presented in such an accessible fashion. Therefore, this video series—as well as the books it is based on—is an essential guide for serious inquirers.

SPECIFICATIONS: SELF INQUIRY SEMINAR, RENO 2014. 10 FILES – 11 1/2 HOURS LONG.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.

However, in recent times, introductory texts have been written in contemporary language, such as “How to Attain Enlightenment” and “The Essence of Enlightenment.” These books give a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of Vedanta—one that perfectly prepares an inquirer to study the original prakarana granthas and the prasthana traya—and they form the basis of the Self-Inquiry Video Series. In this series, James Swartz, in his inimitable down-to-earth style, addresses topics such as the difference between experience and knowledge, the qualifications for enlightenment (moksha), karma yoga, devotion (bhakti), meditation, lifestyle, the three gunas, the method of discrimination (viveka) and more. Never before have the timeless teachings of Vedanta been presented in such an accessible fashion. Therefore, this video series—as well as the books it is based on—is an essential guide for serious inquirers.

This version of the Self Inquiry Series was recorded in Bavaria, Germany 2014. As a bonus, a translator translates everything James teaches into German. The translation does not compromise the viewers understanding of the teaching, in fact some say it enhances it as it gives English Speakers the opportunity for quick reflection during the translation.

SPECIFICATIONS: MP3 VERSION OF THE SELF INQUIRY BAVARIA 2014 VIDEO SERIES. 13 HOURS OF TEACHINGS.

This series is available as an online download. After you place your order, you will receive downloadable link via email.