Sunday Wisdom Sessions by Vedantin

6 Reasons

Thinking and Feeling00:00 Thinking and Feeling56:15 Q&A Q1 – Sometimes, we end up overthinking a situation and get paralysed. In such a situation, is it beneficial to rely on intuition instead of relying on your intellect? 1:00:05 Q&A Q2 – How important is it for us to manage how we are perceived?1:02:25 Q&A Q3 – Is intuition the accelerator of intelligence?1:03:50 Q&A Q4 – When we have a strong desire, we have a tendency to justify what we want to do with faulty logic. How can we prevent this?

00:00 The Fall of the Human52:25 Q&A Q1 – Is conscience a part of or the same as the subtle intellect? Sometimes this inner voice is too soft to hear or it is wrong. What makes it so?55:35 Q&A Q2 – How do we know if our conscience is good? How do we distinguish between what’s good and bad?58:15 Q&A Q3 – Is it difficult\does it take a long time to become a healthy human being?

Setting Self As Supreme00:00 Quality of a Seeker #35 – “Mat Paramah” or “Me as Supreme”

Having Faith00:00 Quality of a Seeker #34 – “Sraddhadhanah” or “Endued with Faith”47:40 Q&A Q1 – Currently there are recommendations to increase protein consumption for better health and longevity. This could conflict with the recommendation by Vedanta to consume predominantly sattvik food. What is your recommendation in this regard?53:35 Q&A Q2 – We occasionally encounter “toxic” people that drain our energy. How do we relate to such people?56:42 Q&A Q3 – Why does fear of success exist? Is success not the highest form of self-love?59:14 Q&A Q4 – Is the intellect alone sufficient to overcome obstacles and achieve our goal?

Steady-minded00:00 Quality of a Seeker #33 – “Sthiramatih” or “Steady-minded”55:25 Q1 – Swamiji (Swami A. Parthasarathy) has said that sleep can contribute to a steady mind and also that a person with a more agitated mind will require more sleep. Could you elaborate on this?

In this session, Sudhakar reminds us that life is a continuous process of relating — not only with people, but with challenges, change, success, failure, and even ourselves. True relating is not about compatibility, but about learning to deal gracefully with differences. Through the poem “The Mountain and the Squirrel,” he highlights that every individual has unique talents and a meaningful role in the larger orchestration of life — no one is superior or inferior; comparison breeds ego, while humility brings cooperation and peace. The second poem, “The Nightingale and the Glowworm,” shows how relationships should be about complementing each other’s strengths and helping each other evolve to greater heights.

Sudhakar explores the themes of Love & Devotion, emphasising that emotions are powerful forces which can uplift or destroy depending on whether they are guided by the intellect. The poem “Abou Ben Adhem,” highlights that true devotion is love expressed through service and care for all beings, not just a select few. Love without expectation becomes universal, while attachment, rooted in selfishness and conditions, creates conflict. The second poem, “Casabianca,” illustrates a powerful example of faith – an essential quality on the spiritual path. 

In this talk, using the poems “The Pond” and “The Olive Tree,” Sudhakar explains how the mind’s desires can cloud judgment, causing us to justify what we already want instead of reasoning clearly. When the mind dominates, decisions become emotional and risky—like the young chick who ignored guidance and met disaster—highlighting the need to strengthen the intellect to think objectively and act wisely. He then shifts to the theme of faith, showing through the story of the hermits and their olive trees that real prayer is not demanding outcomes but doing our best and surrendering the results. 

In this talk, via a study of the poem “The Turkey and the Ant”, Sudhakar highlights two powerful tendencies of the mind: its insatiable nature and its tendency to look outward and criticise others instead of examining oneself. He explains that no external achievement or possession can give lasting happiness, because the mind will always ask, “What next?” The second lesson reminds us to pause before criticising, introspect and use our energy to improve ourselves rather than trying to fix others.

In this talk, Sudhakar encourages us to “Go for Gold” by striving to live our highest, most fulfilled life. Shift from surviving to thriving and cultivating purpose, peace, and presence. Purpose means using the intellect rather than emotions to guide decisions and choosing a direction aligned with one’s true nature (Swadharma) so life becomes meaningful and energized. Peace comes from reducing selfish desires by working for a higher ideal beyond oneself, which quiets agitation and brings inner calm. Presence means living fully in the current moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, because real living only happens now.Timestamps00:00 “Go for Gold” talk50:20 Q1 – Do we choose our purpose or do we arrive with it in this world?51:35 Q2 – How can one achieve the goal we have set for ourselves in work if others put hurdles or change the methods to achieving it to suit their way of doing things? 54:09 Q3 – How can we achieve our purpose if we have no money and a duty to obey parents who control what you can and cannot do?55:55 Q4 – Is working for larger circles (family, community, country) about self-satisfaction?59:05 Q5 – How do we strengthen staying in the present? Should we practise meditation?1:02:54 Q6 – Sometimes emotions override our decisions. How can we use intellect in relationships and avoid disappointment?1:06:22 Q7 – Can Swadharma change over time as we grow and evolve? 1:07:35 Q8 – How can we know that this will not take us away from our duties to our family?1:09:08 Q9 – What should we be doing on a daily basis to develop the intellect?

Dispossessiveness00:00 Quality of a Seeker #32 – “Aniketah” or “Homeless”50:10 Q&A Q1 – We get attached in our relationships. Is this something we need to work on to evolve?51:50 Q&A Q2 – Sometimes, due to work obligations, we need to stay away from family for extended periods. Does this mean that we are forsaking our duties to our family?58:00 Q&A Q3 – We have routines to stay focused in life. What happens if we get attached to that routine?

Being Content with Anything00:00 Quality of a Seeker #31 – “Santuṣṭaḥ Yenakenacit” or “Content with Anything”52:20 Q&A Q1 – If one is able to understand that we get what we deserve, this can help us stay content. However, occasionally, extremely unfortunate events such as a sudden car accident occur. In such situations, how do you convince yourself that this is what I deserve?55:45 Q&A Q2 – Can the Law of Karma stand on its own merit without bringing in the concept of reincarnation?

Being Silent00:00 Quality of a Seeker #30 – “Mauni” or “Being Silent”47:35 Q&A Q1 – If one is in a public space and sees someone reacting in a negative way, how do we prevent ourselves from reacting to the other person’s negative reaction?50:05 Q&A Q2 – Is it possible to suppress one’s reaction? Is it better to instead transform an automatic reaction into action?53:53 Q&A Q3 – When I read about the recent bomb explosion in New Delhi, I had a reaction to it and also to the opinions of others with regard to this event. How do I handle this?58:00 Q&A Q4 – How does one strike a balance between the need to network with others and the suggestion to not react unnecessarily?1:00:20 Q&A Q5 – Sometimes I get stuck in the thought of past events, particularly if someone said something negative to me. How do I fix this tendency?1:02:40 Q&A Q6 –Sometimes, thoughts keep coming to me and it feels like I have no control over them. Also, I get distracted and lose focus on the present moment. How do I manage my mind in these situations?

Equal to Praise & Criticism00:00 Quality of a Seeker #29 – “Tulyanindāstutiḥ” or “To whom censure and praise are equal”47:30 Open Q&A Q1 – How does one manage a situation where people spoil your reputation by speaking untruths?49:25 Open Q&A Q2 – It seems that people gossip about you when you rise or fall. Please explain how to handle both situations. 50:45 Open Q&A Q3 – How do you manage a situation when you are in a group that is gossiping? Should we suggest to others that we should not gossip?54:35 Open Q&A Q4 – Is gossip always a negative thing to do?57:05 Open Q&A Q5 – If a close family member is gossiping, should we suggest to them that they should refrain from this?

Free from Attachment | Desire for Liberation00:00 Quality of a Seeker #28 – “Sangavivarjitah” or “Free from Attachment”41:13 Question of the week: How does one develop mumukshatva (desire for liberation)?51:10 Open Q&A Q1 – Given we have existing commitments such as family and work, how do we direct more effort towards the pursuit of liberation or Self-realisation? 53:19 Open Q&A Q2 – Spiritual evolution requires us to be detached from objects or people. How do we ensure this detachment doesn’t damage our relationships?56:00 Open Q&A Q3 – Please explain the nature of the attachment that a parent has for their child. How does this attachment develop?58:15 Open Q&A Q4 – Is it better to have more lower intensity attachments or fewer high intensity attachments? 59:53 Open Q&A Q5 – How do I look at my current actions and change my internal orientation to direct the action towards Self-realisation?1:02:58 Open Q&A Q6 – Is it possible to live with someone for many years and not be attached?1:04:40 Open Q&A Q7 – Is it necessary to have detachment in every situation?1:04:55 Open Q&A Q8 – Is dismissing the first thought the best solution to avoiding attachment?

Equanimity | Power of Thought00:00 Quality of a Seeker #27 – “Samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpmānayoḥ śītoṣna-sukhaduḥkheṣu” or “Alike to friend and foe, honour and dishonour, heat and cold, joy and sorrow”49:14 Question of the week: Do thoughts have consequences even if not acted upon?54:39 Open Q&A Q1 – Is it enough for one to act based on one’s values and goals even if nobody else recognises that?57:25 Open Q&A Q2 – What is the difference between conscious and the unconscious mind? 58:35 Open Q&A Q3 – The key to equanimity and the other qualities of a devotee is “right thinking”. How do we develop “right thinking”?

Renouncer of Good & Evil | Charity00:00 Quality of a Seeker #26 – “Subhasubhaparityagi” or “Renouncer of Good and Evil”43:20 Question of the week: How does one find a balance between giving and being charitable versus setting and pursuing one’s own personal goals?51:43 Open Q&A Q1 – Given that we are advised to renounce both good and evil, how should we choose our values?54:25 Open Q&A Q2 – To renounce good and evil, should we seek neutrality? 57:13 Open Q&A Q3 – Charity can be considered a good quality. But on the other hand, charity makes one feel good, so it becomes selfish. How do we reconcile this?

One Who Does Not Desire | Reducing Frustration00:00 Quality of a Seeker #25 – “Na Kanksati” Or “One Who Does Not Desire”46:40 Question of the week: What is frustration? How does it arise? How does one reduce or eliminate it?55:50 Open Q&A Q1 – Can we motivate ourselves with something apart from desire?58:25 Open Q&A Q2 – What is happiness and how is it linked to desire?1:01:45 Open Q&A Q3 – Desires are part of human nature but we must move to higher, spiritual desires. Please explain.

One Who Does Not Grieve | The Role of Gratitude in Spiritual Evolution00:00 Quality of a Seeker #24 – “Na Socati” Or “One Who Does Not Grieve”34:07 Question of the week: What is the role of gratitude in spiritual evolution?46:30 Open Q&A Q1 – Is the higher feeling of gratitude the same as “true love”?48:45 Open Q&A Q2 – When I am happy, is that egoistic?49:55 Open Q&A Q3 – Is it the Spirit that remains forever?50:15 Open Q&A Q4 – What can we do to help someone who has lost a child?54:45 Open Q&A Q5 – There is an element of “I” in gratitude. The ideal attitude is to simply be aware of the benevolence of nature. As an interim step, is it helpful to move to “We are grateful”? 56:20 Open Q&A Q6 – I get comfort from the fact that I will meet my loved ones in my after-life. Could you help me understand if I will? 59:15 Open Q&A Q7 – How does one prevent oneself from becoming attached to something or someone that makes you happy?