A Personal Introduction

Om Swastih[1]

My knowledge is not yet complete - only a realized one's is. If I waited until I became perfect before I wrote, I would never write. This knowledge is not mine; these pages present my reflections on the eternal knowledge that was revealed to ancient sages around the globe. Knowledge is inherent in cosmic consciousness, and therefore has no beginning and no of human origin. Cosmic consciousness is pure existence, eternal knowledge, and infinite: Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahman. Much later it was codified into the four Vedas. The knowledge in the Vedas, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita is considered "complete." 

With God's grace I have had the interest in seeking truth and knowledge. I am deeply grateful to my Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his love and grace. He has given me so much knowledge; techniques such as pranayama, yoga, meditation; and most of all, the experience of my true nature. The world has been blessed with many masters over the ages who have brought this eternal knowledge to the world. I am also grateful to the Chinmaya Mission for being the flag bearers of Vedanta. These are some of the wonderful works of great masters that I have been fortunate enough to read and listen to:

Tattva Bodha. Atma Bodha. Narad Bhakti Sutra. Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Isha Upanishad. Kena Upanishad. Katho Upanishad. Chhandogya Upanishad. Kaivalya Upanishad. Bhagavad Gita. Ashtavakra Gita. Yoga Vasistha. Kapila Gita. Sadacarah. Aparoksanubhuti. Mahabharat. Ramayan. I have studied the teachings of Vivekananda, Ramana Maharishi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and others. I’ve also studied Ayurveda, the practice of Yoga and meditation, and have accessed several other knowledge sources.

This list is just a small fraction of the knowledge under the umbrella of "Hinduism." I would like to learn all four Vedas. However, as Ramana Maharishi said, it's not about numbers: you only need one mirror to see your true reflection. 

There are so many people who have greater knowledge than I, who are more realized than I, who can write better than I. There are three types of understanding; intellectual, experiential and existential realization (when it becomes your very nature). This writing is about my present understanding of this knowledge, expressed from an experiential standpoint. In addition to my reflections, I have taken great care in verifying the knowledge that I present here, often referring to the source, and also can be verified, so I would like the reader to rest assured that the information here is reliable. However, even in Hinduism there are different commentaries, I have used the known authorities in the subject. I have definitely not put in all that is included in Hinduism. Volumes have been written for thousands of years on this wisdom. What I have presented is the core theme.

This book follow the same core theme as the Bhagavad Gita.
Chapter 1: Like the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasistha, and as in the story of Buddha, the journey starts from grief, with a deep questioning.
Chapter 2: The second chapter pretty much summarizes the whole book.
Chapter 3: "Karma Yoga," or the wisdom on how to act, is the topic of the third chapter.
Chapter 4: The fourth chapter is on meditation or Upasana.
Chapter 5: One of my favorite chapters is on devotion.
Chapter 6 and 7: These do not have corresponding chapters in the Gita but I have written as preparation for knowledge of the Self.
Chapter 8 and 9: These chapters are on the knowledge of the Self, Jnan Yoga.
Chapter 10: Describes the enlightened one.
Chapter 11: A summary of the book in personal terms, with love, for my son.

Those who are familiar with Hindu teachings may find hidden themes and implied meanings.

I have read many modern, western, New Age, and scientific presentations of Hinduism. I have deliberately made the tone of this book more authentic because I didn't want to dilute or deviate from how the masters of Vedanta expound this knowledge. Therefore, I have used the original method and approach used in Hindu texts such as the Bhagavad Gita. I am a modern woman in the technology field and I have a family. I have lived in many places around the world. I have found that I gained the most from a traditional approach to this wisdom, and I believe a lot of people around the world will be able to relate to it as well. 

The term "Hinduism" is not indigenous to India; neither is the name "India"! The river Sindhu in Bharat (India) was called "Indus" by the Greeks and later "Hindus" by the Persians. The names "India" and "Hinduism" come from these. If there is a native name for this ancient wisdom tradition it is "Sanatana Dharma," the eternal laws of nature. However, it is often referred to simply as the Shastras which literally means science.

With deepest reverence and gratitude I offer this at the feet of my mother, all enlightened masters, Sri Krishna, and my Gurudev.

With that much said let's enter the projection of my mind, the expression of my heart and the essence of my soul...

 

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[1] Om – sound vibration for cosmic consciousness. Swastih – auspiciousness, prosperity, blessings