Voice Of Vedanta

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Sarvadevananda on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple. Swami discusses the life and philosophy of Shankaracharya, perhaps the best known early proponent of Vedantic thought as we know it today.

A spiritual talk given by Swami Vedarupananda at the Santa Barbara Temple on April 2, 2017 discussing the Vedantic principle of attachment and detachment. Many entertaining stories illustrate the consequences of attachment and ways to free ourselves through Vedantic practices. Enjoy!

Spiritual Talk given on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, by David Nelson in which he introduces us to the wonderful 2-line poems of Angelus Silesius, a Christian mystic. Many of the themes correspond with Vedantic teachings and help illustrate the oneness of all who sincerely seek Enlightenment.

Swami Veetamohananda, from the Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre in Gretz, France, visited the Santa Barbara Temple on March 21, 2017 to give a spiritual talk on Vedantic values and how to apply them in everyday life. As you can tell from the title, Vedantic values combine both head and heart to form the perfect union for the spiritual Self. A wonderful talk.

Swami Atmarupananda delivers a Spiritual Talk on Truth at the Santa Barbara Temple on April 9, 2017. He describes the many ways that we see truth, but points out that all reality must rest on the one Truth that never changes. A very rich and thought provoking discussion of a huge subject!

Spiritual talk given by Swami Vedarupananda at the Santa Barbara Temple on March 19, 2017, entitled "Fate, Fortune or Karma?" When things happen to us for "good" or "bad," is it our karma or our fate? Or maybe just good fortune or bad luck? Swami's talk helps us to understand what law is operating as things happen in our lives, and how to handle it according to Vedanta.

Swami Sarvapriyananda, Minister of the Vedanta Society of New York, returns to Santa Barbara for a special Friday evening spiritual talk on March 17, 2017, where his topic is the Ashtavakra Samhita, or Song of Ashtavakra. Swami explains the great importance of this ancient Vedantic scripture, and leads us through four of its verses. An inspirational and educational talk!

Spiritual Talk given by Pravrajika Vrajaprana at the Santa Barbara Temple on March 5, 2017, entitled "Doing Our Dharma." What is dharma? How do we know our dharma? We find out that dharma has a cosmic as well as a personal role that plays out in our lives. It is a divine ordering principle. It does intertwine with our personal karma. but it is so much more. Listen to this and learn what it is and how to use it!

Spiritual Talk given on March 12, 2017 at the Santa Barbara Temple by Swami Mahayogananda. Swami discusses how the many near death experiences described in books and on websites correspond to the Vedantic concept that the Self is not the body. Many basic Vedantic tenets, including karma, correspond to and are confirmed by near death experiences. A fascinating spiritual talk!

Visiting Swami Harinamananda travels to the Santa Barbara Temple from San Diego to deliver a spiritual talk on February 26, 2017. Called "Discovering Yourself," the talk examines how self-awareness can develop through three kinds of relationships: healthy, unhealthy and spiritual. The talk is an interactive class-style presentation inviting audience participation and insightful observations by Swami Harinamananda. Enjoy!

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Sarvadevananda on February 19, 2017 at the Santa Barbara Temple. Swami discusses a very big subject - the idea of life after death - from the Vedantic perspective. This talk is filled with basic tenets of Vedantic philosophy, beginning with the different levels of life in the body, what is meant by the Soul, how to approach one's own death, lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, and more. You'll want to hear it many times to absorb all the valuable teaching, along with its generous sprinkling of humor!

Pravrajika Krishnaprana's special Valentine Day's themed spiritual talk given February 12, 2017 on the "Many Faces of Love" at the Santa Barbara Temple. Krishaprana discusses the meaning of love and relationship on many levels. The talk includes some wonderful quotes and a brief Q&A session. If you can't hear the question, the answer usually gives you a general idea. Enjoy!

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Vedarupananda on February 5, 2017 at the Santa Barbara Temple in which he explains the concept of contentment as seen through Vedantic philosophy. He uses wonderful stories and examples of the lives of some saints to illustrate his points.

A wonderful Spiritual Talk given on January 15, 2017 at the Santa Barbara Temple by Pravrajika Vrajaprana. Ten New Years Resolutions are suggested by Vrajaprana as an alternative to the usual food, body, exercise, etc. resolutions that we make. You'll resolve to take food for the soul on every day of every New Year.

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Sarvadevananda on January 15, 2017 at the Santa Barbara Temple. The stories of Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda are told from early days with Sri Ramakrishna to their adult years as builders of the Ramakrishna Order of Vedanta around the world.

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Sarvapriyananda on September 4, 2016 at the Santa Barbara Temple. An utterly fabulous talk on the search for bliss that is the goal of Vedantic practice,

Spiritual Talk given by Pravrajika Vrajaprana on September 11, 2016 at the Santa Barbara Temple. The title is a quote from Sister Nivedita in which that beloved disciple of Swami Vivekananda states there is no disctinction between the secular and the sacred. Pravrajika Vrajaprana introduces us to this unique view of Vedantism.

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Sarvadevananda on September 18, 2016 at the Santa Barbara Temple in which he shows us the three ways to finding our true Self according to Vedantic practice.

Spiritual talk given by Swami Vedarupananda on September 25, 2016 at the Santa Barbara Temple. Seeing God in everything begins with seeing good in everyone. Swami explains how to continue from this point on to seeing God everywhere.

Spiritual Talk given by Swami Atmavidyananda at the Santa Barbara Temple on January 8, 2017. Swami discusses how Hindu deities are sometimes portrayed as both male and female, as well as the androgynous nature of deities in other religions and cultures.