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The
Upanishads are the 'philosophical' portions of the Vedas.
The purpose of studying them is nothing less than:
-
realization of ultimate truth
- becoming
an observer / witness
- loosening
the grip of 'samsara'
- shifting
focus to pure knowledge, the source of joy.
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. . .No getting around it. This
is deep. Not everyone is ready for Upanishads. Yet anyone
with a thirst for this knowledge can undertake Upanishad study
and need not be put off by its 'serious' reputation. The minimum
requirement is a commitment to periodically withdraw for meditation
on these concepts every single day, if only for a few moments.
. . .Each of the four Vedas has
two or more Upanishads. They are part of Vedaanta. Upa ('near')
ni ('down') shad ('sit') means 'to draw near to the teacher
and sit down'.
. . .We were inspired by Sree
Aswath's diligent students in Huntington, West Virginia, who
first asked him to lead them in an Upanishad Self-Study Program.
We began our Upanishad Self-Study in Columbus, Ohio USA in
January 2006. Over 100 families are participating, some traveling
long distances to attend. We are creating CDs for each Upanishad
we study, to help in our meditation upon these mantras. Our
plan is to study a series of ten Upanishads, with a learning
CD in "Veda Recitation Class format" for each one.
. . .In the 8th Century, Sri
Adi Shankara revitalized Hinduism, in no small part through
his commentaries upon the Upanishads, which have transformed
those who study them ever since.
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Great
scholar and guru, K. G. Subraya Sharma (Sharma-ji),
who is in the direct lineage of disciples of Adi Shankara,
has blessed our Upanishad self-study project.
His
disciple, Sanjeev Murthy wrote:
"He
felt immensely happy for your service to Vedaanta and
has conveyed his blessings to you all:
'Shankara
bhagavatpaadara sampoorna anugraha nimmellara melirali
endu haaraisiddare.'
'May
there be the absolute grace of Sri Shankara on you.'
I
heard the c.d.'s fully. It has come out very nicely.
(I have reported to Guru-ji also). Need of the day indeed.
Veda purusha has instigated you to do this good work
of spreading the real treasure of INDIA (Bhaaratha)."
Sanjeev
Murthy, Bangalore, India.
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Ishavasya
Upanishad
Kena
Upanishad
Tiattariiya
Upanishad
"
If you have missed the opportunity to go to Pathashala in
India, now you have an opportunity to learn from the master
Aswath at your home, car, gym etc. While you are on a boat
or kayak you can chant and meditate and have peace of mind.
It is wonderful and calming in AM before you go to work to
listen and learn Veda mantra at your time. Your children and
grand children can learn and chant like a professional. I
enjoy Upanishad chanting everyday morning while jogging."
--
Krishna D. Bhat, M.D., Pediatrician, Allergist, and Author
of Guide to Indo-American Parenting.
www.indo-american.com
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