Birthless Deathless by Swami Sarvapriyananda

Vedanta Society of Southern California・2 minutes read

The text explores Gaudapada's radical non-dual perspective challenging the traditional spiritual model, emphasizing the illusion of birth, death, and bondage in consciousness. It delves into the ultimate reality of Brahman, highlighting the importance of knowledge in removing ignorance to realize one's liberated nature.

Insights

Gaudapada's radical non-dual perspective challenges the standard spiritual model by denying birth, death, and liberation, emphasizing that all experiences are appearances in consciousness.
The Mandukya Upanishad's central teaching focuses on experiencing waking, dreaming, and deep sleep in one consciousness, known as the fourth state, akin to dream experiences.
Liberation in Vedanta is not about seeking freedom through practices but realizing one's true nature as pure consciousness, leading to the cessation of desires and the awareness of inherent bliss as Shiva.

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Recent questions

What is the central teaching of the Mandukya Upanishad?
The central teaching is the experience of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep occurring in one consciousness, referred to as the fourth.
Who is Gaudapada and what is his ultimate statement of non-dual truth?
Gaudapada is a radical non-dualist who denies birth, death, bondage, spiritual seeking, and liberation as his ultimate statement of truth.
What does Gaudapada warn against in his teachings?
Gaudapada warns against misinterpretation that could lead to neglecting spiritual practices, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding.
How does Gaudapada challenge the perception of reality?
Gaudapada challenges the perception of reality by emphasizing the underlying consciousness in all experiences and urging a deeper understanding of spiritual life.
What is the ultimate goal according to Shankar Acharya?
The ultimate goal is realizing pure consciousness, which cannot be produced, attained, changed, or refined through spiritual practices.

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Summary

00:00

"Radical Non-Dual Vedanta: Gaudapada's Teachings"

The speaker, known for discussing Vedanta, introduces the topic of the most radical statement of non-dual Vedanta, focusing on the text "Worthless Deathless."
The Mandukya Upanishad, particularly its seventh mantra, is highlighted as the peak of non-dual Vedanta, with Shankaracharya's Mandukya Karika being a significant text.
Shankaracharya's teacher, Gaudapada, is described as a radical non-dualist, emphasizing the difference in tone between their teachings.
Gaudapada's ultimate statement of non-dual truth is presented as a denial of birth, death, bondage, spiritual seeking, and liberation, challenging the standard spiritual model.
The standard spiritual model involves birth, bondage, seeking liberation through practices, and attaining freedom, contrasting with Gaudapada's radical assertion.
Gaudapada's teaching warns against misinterpretation that could lead to neglecting spiritual practices, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding.
The central teaching of the Mandukya Upanishad is explained as the experience of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep all occurring in one consciousness, referred to as the fourth.
Gaudapada's assertion that nothing is truly born or dies, all experiences being appearances in consciousness, is likened to experiences in dreams.
The individual being, Jeeva, is said to never truly originate from absolute reality and will never cease into it, akin to the illusion of the sky appearing blue.
Gaudapada's teaching challenges the perception of reality and emphasizes the underlying consciousness in all experiences, urging a deeper understanding of spiritual life.

18:45

Illusions of Existence: Birth, Bondage, and Freedom

The sky appears blue, but it's not actually blue; there's no origination or cessation from the viewpoint of consciousness.
In dreams, events like birth and cooking pizza are illusory; the dream world neither originates nor ceases.
The universe's creation theories, whether religious or scientific, are appearances in awareness; all are manifestations in awareness.
A book titled "Why Does the World Exist?" explores the question of existence, delving into various perspectives from theologians, physicists, and philosophers.
The philosopher Robert Nozick hints at the Hindu concept of Atman is Brahman, suggesting the universe's non-existence.
The monk Gurupada emphasizes the birthless nature of the universe, stating it's an appearance in awareness.
A monk debates reincarnation with others, with one teacher emphasizing that without birth, there's no rebirth.
The monk Gurupada challenges the notion of bondage, highlighting that nothing truly binds us.
The impermanence of all things is stressed, with a Buddhist monk emphasizing the fleeting nature of existence.
Swami Vivekananda's quote on letting go of attachments is shared, highlighting the illusion of bondage and the freedom in releasing attachments.

36:45

"Unveiling the Essence of Spiritual Practices"

Spiritual practices encompass various disciplines like prayer, selfless service, chanting, singing, meditation, yoga, pranayama, and philosophy.
Sadhana, the Sanskrit term for spiritual practice, involves a goal (sadhya) and the means to attain it (sadhan).
Different spiritual practices like Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga target specific goals like overcoming selfishness, achieving concentration, and developing love for God.
Shankar Acharya emphasizes that pure consciousness, the ultimate goal, cannot be produced, attained, changed, or refined through spiritual practices.
The story of Mullah Nasruddin smuggling donkeys humorously illustrates how the ultimate goal of realizing pure consciousness is always present but often overlooked.
Liberation (moksha) is not about seeking freedom through spiritual practices but realizing one's true nature as pure consciousness, leading to the cessation of desires for limited existence, knowledge, and pleasure.
Enlightenment does not entail dullness but a continuous curiosity for knowledge and exploration, while simultaneously knowing one's true nature as infinite consciousness and bliss.
Ashtavakra's teaching highlights that the entire universe is perceived in pure consciousness, which is the ultimate bliss experienced as worldly and spiritual joy.
Shankar Acharya's declaration of not seeking liberation signifies the realization of oneself as the ultimate bliss of Shiva, indicating that true liberation is the awareness of one's inherent nature.
Ultimately, the understanding dawns that there is no one seeking liberation, as the essence of pure consciousness and bliss is already present within oneself.

54:53

Enlightenment, Brahman, and Liberation in Vedanta

Gupta and Krishnan's absence is noted, with a discussion on enlightenment and the concept of Brahman.
The distinction between being an enlightened person and being Brahman is highlighted.
The enlightened person does not claim enlightenment but identifies as Brahman, the essence of consciousness.
The dream analogy is used to explain the concept of not being the person but the consciousness in which the person is experienced.
The concept of three levels of reality in Vedanta is introduced: ultimate reality (Brahman), transactional reality, and illusory reality.
The equivalence of dreaming and waking states is discussed, challenging the distinction between the two.
The idea of liberation not being an experience but the realization of the self beyond all experiences is emphasized.
The role of reading in Vedanta is explained as a means to point towards knowledge rather than directly conferring liberation.
The distinction between Mukti (liberation) and Moksha (freedom) is clarified, with Mukti referring to the liberated individual.
The discussion on Gaudapada's radical non-dual perspective and his focus on the ultimate reality of Brahman, transcending birth, death, and suffering, is explored.

01:12:26

"Gaudapada and Shankara: Non-Dualistic Teachings"

Shankara and Gaudapada are noted for their similar teachings, with Gaudapada being more direct and radical in his approach, while Shankara is more tempered. Gaudapada's main work is the Mandukya Karika, with lesser-known texts attributed to him like a commentary on the Sankhya Karika and the book "Supergover." The latter, attributed to Guru Pathikara, delves into deep tantric teachings on the Divine Mother.
Gaudapada, like other non-dualists, identifies ignorance as the core issue, advocating for the removal of ignorance through knowledge to realize one's liberated nature. The fleeting nature of experiences and the peaceful state when uncovered point to the true nature of the self.
The concept of Brahman as the ultimate author of all phenomena is discussed, drawing parallels to the Rig Veda where Brahman is referred to as the eternal poet whose poetry is the universe. This perspective offers a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of creation and the divine.

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