We're revisiting another Freedom Talk, one of our bite-sized episodes with Vivekji featuring questions from seekers across the world. In this episode, we ask the questions: What is the difference in reflection and inquiry? What is the difference between contemplation and inquiry? How should a seeker transition from one keystone to the next in their journey of self-development? For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and contemplate. This podcast is produced by young adults of Chinmaya Mission, an international non-pr ..read more

In this next mini episode from our series of Freedom Talks, we ask the questions: How should we handle people who always misinterpret our actions in a negative connotation even though we have good intentions? What to do when we are taken advantage of by others? Can we align our goals with our guide? And if yes, how? How can an introvert handle the expectations of family and friends? Is bhakti a path to become one with the Supreme Self? How do we apply shreyas when we need to make life decisions? For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum t ..read more

 Many of us probably have probably at some point felt we have/had a  reactive personality, we felt distracted, or dull. How can one develop a calmness of body (dama), quietude of mind (sama), and understanding (uparama) so that one can have a more balanced inner world? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode. For those on the journey of self-development, Chin ..read more

We all feel we can create joy but that only leads to disappointment. When we have guidance in our lives we realize that joy cannot be created. How can one go from acting (karma), to depending (bhakti), to having insight (jnana), to prioritizing (viveka) to independence (vairagya)? How does one step lead to the next on this journey to joy? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the las ..read more

Our mind is like a river -- sometimes it’s dashing and splashing with a never-ending flow of uncontrollable tides, and other times it’s calm and serene, slowly passing by like a lazy river. How do we tame this mind, so that we can use it for our own Higher purpose, rather than be controlled by its instinctive, impulsive, lightning-fast strikes? How can we best use the teachings (mantra) of the Scriptures, so that we have a chance of practicing them in daily life? And before that, how do we even remember (japa) these teachings as we attempt to captain our humble boat among the rapids of our min ..read more

 In life we have many ups and downs. Why do we feel moments of happiness and other times moments of sadness or anger? What can we do to always have this feeling of completeness no matter the situation? In this episode Vivekji talks about how our sense of individuality (jiva) leads to attachment or incompleteness and how this cycle continues because of our relationship with the multiverse (jagat) and creator (Ishwara). On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the mor ..read more

Everything and everyone around us are made up of matter (prakriti) but do we depend on these things or people to make us feel complete (purusha)? When we know all is changing and existence is the only constant, then why do we ever feel anything but joy? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode. For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provi ..read more

We often find ourselves feeling weighed down by changing circumstances and unending responsibilities -- but are our ropes really external, or internal? When we look inwards at our own temperament (guna), do we find ourselves tired and complaining in laziness (tamas), anxious about results in selfishness (rajas), or living with vision and inner harmony (sattva)? Only when we analyze our self-made bonds can we untie them, to feel true Freedom. On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand t ..read more

Like Neo in The Matrix, has something always felt wrong about the world? Why is everyone looking for a permanent happiness in impermanent places, and then after it doesn’t last, wondering what they’re still missing? Why do we project (vikshepa) happiness onto every new food, vacation, and position, rather than remember where happiness always was? Why do we give into the illusion (maya) that an Infinite Reality could have become a finite, incomplete individual? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The m ..read more

Why does it feel like there is so much separation in the world? Is it because we are always competing with each other? What is deeper than our form (rupa) and personalities (varna)? How are we all so different, yet the exact same? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode. For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum t ..read more