Anne:Thank you so much for your words, for taking the time to respond so appropriately to each point of my mail. I truly appreciate...
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
Question:You say, “By mastering the mind, you come to realize the fullness that is the nature of the Self.” And then, “You cannot do...
Jane:During my time with Mooji, he used to quote a saying by a Vedanta master (I think it is Shankara) and he would present...
Jane:Through Mooji, I finally found Ramana Maharshi. His being is like a divine presence and deity for me, in the sense used by Ramji...
Lisa:When you come to learn more about Vedanta, you realize the emptiness of the world: every form, every thought, feeling, person is seen as...
Mary:Dear Ramji, I have one issue I feel I need support on, Ramji. And I know it sounds rather absurd and not very logical...
Vedanta and Prayer We appreciate the value of Vedanta because of our goodkarma. Vedanta is the greatest opportunity that life can offer. Without it...
Dearest Ramji, it is with great respect and affection I write these words to you to express my gratitude for your teachings. I was...
Kumar:Dear James, thanks for your answers. I think I am not doing a good job communicating what I am thinking. I need to be...
Mani:James, would you please clarify for me what the differences are betweennirvikalpa samadhiand deep sleep? If I understand it correctly, the mind is absent...
Alex:Hello, James. First, I want to tell you that I love you. Now I need to tell you that I am enlightened. I don’t...
Seeker:Hi, James. Thank you for your prompt reply end of July, which was very much appreciated! I restrained the urge to immediately write back...
Justin:First off, I would like thank you and James for all the wonderful work you have done and the wisdom you have shared with...
Simon:Dear Sundari, I have been composing this email for months now watching the words dance on the screen like musical notes sounding out the...
Paul:Hello, James and Sundari! I’ve been reading your books and watching your videos for two or three years now. Thank you for unfolding these...










