Advaita After Hours

On Vijayadashami, Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan take a ten-thousand-foot tour of the Upanishads. They cover Tat tvam asi, neti neti, the chariot of Katha, the two birds of Mundaka, the five koshas and witness consciousness. They also ask how ritual, practical living and the Bhagavad Gita fit into a lifelong spiritual journey.

Living in the present sounds simple—until worry about tomorrow and regret about yesterday get in the way. Rajesh Ramanathan, Narayanan, and Aishwarya explore how spiritual ideas, meditation, and everyday practice can help us return to the moment. Drawing inspiration from Swami Sarvapriyananda’s banana-peel story and Swami Ramanacharana Tirta’s lecture on creating space for spirituality, they reflect on Navratri, making plans without getting lost in the future, meeting discomfort with awareness, and making rituals meaningful.

In this reflective conversation, Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan explore the Vedantic idea of the “little I” and the “big I.” They unpack how ego creates the sense of being the doer, enjoyer, and sufferer—and how recognizing a deeper, shared consciousness can shift the way we respond to life.Through examples from teaching, family frustration, compassion, Rama’s humanity, and the pressure of expectations, they discuss how to live with emotions without becoming bound by them. The episode offers a practical meditation on self-awareness: meeting praise and criticism with steadiness, loosening comparison and validation-seeking, and learning to see actions without reducing people—or ourselves—to labels.

A single joke about “I am Brahman” opens into a practical conversation about Advaita, self-inquiry, and what it means to stop identifying with the wrong things. If you’ve ever repeated spiritual ideas without feeling them land, this discussion explores why that can happen—and what other approaches may help.

What can Hindu mythology reveal when we look beyond the surface of its stories? This conversation explores the symbolism behind Ganesha’s wisdom, Muruga’s search for knowledge, Ayyappa’s spiritual journey, and Hanuman’s forgotten strength. Along the way, we discuss the value of interpretation, the tension between tradition and changing circumstances, and how stories can become invitations for reflection rather than rules to follow blindly.

In this episode, Rajesh and Narayanan discuss whether devotion and Advaita are truly contradictory. Drawing on Swami Sarvapriyananda, they explore how worship, meditation, and the experience of oneness can all be part of the same spiritual journey.

https://youtu.be/5Dk4EIe-qyk?is=5TBdCXYqMpaMQyNh

Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan unpack Swami Paramatananda’s Maya Panchakam discourse and reveal why this short lecture lands like a complete reset for anyone trying to understand Advaita beyond the usual textbook explanations.

https://www.yogamalika.org/special-occasion-talks/

Teaching isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about creating space for curiosity, dialogue, and growth. From Balvihar to AI, this conversation explores how educators evolve with their students and why human connection still matters most.

In our conversation, we dive into the profound meanings behind Shiva and Shakti, reflecting on how these archetypical energies guide our personal journeys.

Shiva represents stillness and consciousness, while Shakti embodies dynamism and creation. These dual forces teach us about balance, urging us to integrate both aspects into our lives for holistic growth.

What’s fascinating is how personal experiences shape our understanding of these energies. As we share our stories, we uncover insights that speak to our shared humanity.

Join the discussion and discover your connection to these powerful symbols.

Hari Om, I am Rajesh Ramanathan and in today’s conversation, Narayanan and I delve into the multifaceted nature of meditation, exploring its purpose, challenges, and various techniques. We discuss the importance of quieting the mind, the journey of mindfulness, and the role of inquiry and surrender in deepening one's meditative practice. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they highlight the transformative power of meditation in achieving calmness and self-awareness.

In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Shillika, Gopi, Neha and I reflect on the differences between seva and seva bhava – the importance of intentionality behind an act of seva. We delve into our experiences with bringing seva bhava into our personal and professional lives, and discuss how that has enriched us.

In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Shruthi, Arjun, Shillika and I reflect on the concept of Seva (selfless service) and its profound impact on personal growth, self-discovery, and community engagement. Two high school students, Arjun and Shruti, share their experiences and insights on how engaging in service activities has shaped their identities, aspirations, and relationships.

In this New Year’s conversation, Narayanan, Shillika, Neha and I reflect on our spiritual experiences from last year. We explore the concepts of swadhyaya (self-study) and pravachana (teaching) while emphasizing the significance of recognizing the divine in everyday life.

In today’s Post-Thanksgiving conversation, Narayanan and I reflect on saying thank you and living a life of gratitude. We discuss the role of food in our lives and dwell upon the meaning of three common slokas that are said before eating –Brahmarpanam, Aham Vaishwanaro Bhutva and Annapurne Sadapurne.

Narayanan, Shillika and I reflect on the concept of Saranagati or surrender in the modern context. We talk about the relationship between surrender, ego and unconditional love.

Hari Om, I am Rajesh and in today’s conversation, Narayanan, Gopi, Shillika and I reflect on a discourse by Swami Aparajitananda on the Sunderkand. We explore the lessons we can learn from Hanumanji around Bhakti (devotion), Jnanam (true knowledge) and Surrender.

In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Kailash and I delve into the themes of ego and leadership. We explore the role of ego in decision-making, the importance of servant leadership, and the challenges of navigating promotions and raises. The discussion emphasizes the need for gratitude, acceptance, and finding meaning beyond external validation in one's career. Ultimately, we advocate for a leadership style that prioritizes the success of the team and the greater good over individual ego.

In today’s conversation, Narayanan and I delve into the concept of non-doership and its practical application in daily life. We explore the balance between personal agency and the acceptance of outcomes, discussing how to navigate success and failure without becoming overly attached to either. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of intention behind actions and how reframing motivations can lead to a more fulfilling and less ego-driven life.

In this episode, we explore the unseen gurus that play a transformative role in our personal growth. We discuss how nature, children, and everyday experiences serve as unseen gurus, providing valuable lessons about selflessness, mindfulness, and emotional awareness.

What's the difference between a Guru and Teacher? What are the qualifications to be a Guru? What do we need to bring to the table as a Shishya (student)? How do spiritual groups fit into the modern search for a Guru? Join us to hear more.