Thank you for your careful reply. “That confidence to let go and just be the Self will come”. Yes – recently I have only...

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone whose knowledge of his or her identity as Awareness is doubt-free, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are answers to the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and committed to Vedanta as their preferred means of Self knowledge.

Now that Vedanta is well known in Western spiritual circles, it has become commonplace for unqualified “teachers” to identify with it. A qualified teacher is called a mahatma, someone immersed in the Vedic tradition who has been taught the methodology by someone who has been properly taught in an unbroken chain of teachers, through Shankaracharya, back to the Upanishads, the source texts themselves. My teacher, Swami Chinmaya, seen here with his teacher, Swami Tapovan Maharaj, satisfies this qualification. I have not strayed from the tradition since my introduction to it in 1968 and teach traditional Vedanta, although not in the traditional monastic format.
Chinmaya Teaching in a Traditional Setting

Dear readers, As Summer Solstice approaches in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21st, we experience the longest light filled days. May all beings be...
AI: (summary) We explored the concepts ofmortality and immortality, recognizing them as binary views that may limit deeper understanding. Discussed the relationship betweenexistence and...
A Pathless Path A. Conceit. The followingwords relate to an exaggerated sense of self-worth or self-importance: vanity, arrogance, pride, egotism, self-importance, narcissism, haughtiness, self-admiration,...
And I just wanted to express my gratitude to you James. It was a literally life changing moment when I came through some of...
Dear James, Thank you for your clear and comforting words. You point to something essential: that the path to harmony is not a one-sided...
Franco: Maybe you remember we first met about 5 years ago. Since then I’ve never lost contact with Vedanta, with Shiningworld and all your...
Q: I think I have a serious problem with rajas – and am a dopamine addict. I spend hours online, have trouble coping with...
Sandra: At the end of the satsang, the clump of vasanas was fully hooked and I began to tease them out. One was a...
Dear James, I hope this finds you well. Thank you for the Sunday Satsangs — I find them very thought-provoking and meaningful. James: All...
Roger: I have often heard, and recently I saw something James posted online, regarding the bliss of the Self, and it really got me...
James’ reply to a friend about a successful YouTube teacher of awareness. Yes, he’s dedicated, sincere and blissful. Perhaps he could use a complete...
Sean: Thank you for your responses to my e-mail. I greatly appreciate them. When I sent my anniversary e-mail, I wrote about what I...
Bob: I struggle with the big emphasis on gratitude. It seems to be handed down by every armchair psychologist these days, and now I...
A student compiles a few of Ira Schepetin’s Advaita Vedanta teachings, which conflict with traditional views on the Self and Maya. Here’s a critique...