What does it truly mean to feel fortunate (bhagya)? What are some ways we can get to this feeling of serenity? Vivekji teaches us one way to invest in feeling fortunate is to know that all is temporary. Realizing that even the body (deha) is an equipment we have to help us uncover our true nature. On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want...
Jan 09, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 13
When dealing with uncomfortable situations, many of us try to escape from mental pain (dukha nivrtti), such as stress, anxiety, fear, etc. We try escaping by engaging in activities that we think will bring us joy. But what is a practical and permanent way to face those uncomfortable situations? How can we go from trying to escape discomfort to striving for peace (sukha prapti)? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-d...
Jan 02, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Reset and recharge your relationships for the new year! Vivekji's new course, Harmony in Relationships , is crafted to enhance collaboration, deepen understanding, and foster lasting connections. It gives participants a unique opportunity to take a step back and reflect on how they collaborate in personal, professional, or social settings. Take a peek -- or gift it to a loved one! For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect...
Dec 29, 2023•2 min
Many times in life, we find ourselves tired -- completely exhausted in running the seemingly endless race of responsibilities. When we’re lacking in inspiration to keep going, where do we find purpose (puruṣhārtha) in all this? How do we choose between what’s easy and pleasurable (preyas) vs. what’s peaceful and visionary (shreyas)? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words...
Dec 19, 2023•32 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Living is like a mirror. When we are angry, the world is angry. When we are happy, the world is happy. What can we do to cheerfully evolve into a courageous personality? What are the steps we can take to become more integrated? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode . ...
Dec 12, 2023•30 min•Season 6Ep. 10
What is the purpose of living? It is to be joyous. But how? What are some steps we can take to dive deeper into our purpose? How can we do this with all the ups and downs life throws at us? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode . For those on the journey of self-devel...
Dec 05, 2023•29 min•Season 6Ep. 9
The path to Peace is a long one, filled with many hills of transformation and valleys of feeling stuck. Through this, are we living for Peace with the intensity needed to actually evolve? Are we seeking (sadhana) with the discipline (brahmacharya) needed to conserve our energy, and the sensitivity (ahimsa) to be considerate of others? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these wor...
Nov 27, 2023•29 min•Season 6Ep. 8
We all know how much we’re capable of -- but we rarely live up to our highest potential. Since we know we need to change, how do we build the resolve (sankalpa) needed? How can a guide (guru) unleash our latent potential, bringing us Divine grace (krpa) and opening our eyes to the endless blessings (prasada) that surround us? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the m...
Nov 07, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 7
We are told we are Infinity. But how do we feel we are Infinity? What can we do to deepen our understanding of who we are? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to list...
Oct 31, 2023•34 min•Season 6Ep. 6
We have all heard the saying "as you think so you become." But when we dive deeper into this thought, we ask ourselves: How do we think? Why do we think? What can we do to become more virtuous? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to catch up? Start from the beginning or listen to the last episode . Interested in supporting our Eleva...
Oct 24, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Most people live fast lives, full of escaping into pleasure and acting for “style” -- but we often find ourselves feeling incomplete when we live this way. How do we shift our focus to our lifestyle on this journey (yatra), to unite (yoga) with our best selves? How can we live to serve (seva) more than just ourselves, and invoke (bhaja) the deepest within ourselves? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. ...
Oct 10, 2023•29 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Living in today’s society can feel like an endless chase. In the midst of constant change in society (samsara), how do we know what restrictions (yama) to put in place, and which commitments (niyama) to hold onto? During breaks such as festivals (utsava), how can we find rest that really lasts? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Want to...
Oct 03, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Life is like a game. How can we learn to play this game and navigate the ups and downs we are faced with? What are the steps we have to take to go from fear (bhaya) to acceptance, and confusion (moha) to clarity? On this season of Live Vedanta, entitled Stairway to Serenity, we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. Missed an episode? Start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development,...
Sep 26, 2023•29 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In this first episode of Stairway to Serenity , Vivekji introduces the first 3 steps on the path to freedom. How can we go from forgetfulness (avidya) to intentionality, desires (kama) to peace, and attachment (raga) to quietude? This season is accompanied by The Seeker's Wordbook . Written by Vivek Gupta, it features crisp definitions and memorable visual icons for 100 words at the heart of Vedanta. Including space on every page to augment the text with your notes and reflections, this is an es...
Sep 23, 2023•27 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Words matter. They can help us -- or they can hurt us. Examples of this abound in our daily lives, from a misplaced tweet that goes viral to the comforting words of a friend when we need it most. This is also true in Vedanta! On this season of Live Vedanta , entitled Stairway to Serenity , we'll be exploring 100 words at the heart of our self-development. The more we understand these words, the more we can live by them. This season is accompanied by The Seeker's Wordbook . Written by Vivek Gupta...
Sep 12, 2023•5 min
How is the one who is independently joyous described? What is one thing they do that makes them completely free? In this last episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji teaches the verse that teaches us how to be free once and for all. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmay...
Aug 29, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 28
What is the secret to feeling totally free? What is holding us back? In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji explains two verses that can help us to reach our goal of freedom. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to l...
Aug 22, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 27
What is the point of striving? What is the end game? In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji teaches a hopeful verse that explains how all challenges we face and the work we do is training for us to be better. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niaga...
Aug 17, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 26
In this mini-episode, we get answers to questions that so many of us have. How do we navigate the busy nature of our day-to-day lives? How do we approach our personal and professional life with the right mindset? How do we tackle the stress that comes with comparing ourselves to others? Like what you hear? On May 6, a unique workshop led by Shri Vivek Gupta will provide in-depth answers to these questions and more. Visit the Installing Balance page to learn more and register....
Apr 29, 2023•9 min
How can you join our commitment to contribute, chant, and change to support our Mother Earth? Visit the Dedicating to Devi page and register for our CommUnity challenge. For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and contemplate. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more updates about upcoming live workshops, courses, and more! Chinmaya Mission is an international non-profit organization working to transform individual...
Apr 14, 2023•15 min
In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji explains a verse that guides on how to break from the tiredness of being dependent on external factors to be happy. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and ...
Apr 06, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 25
In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, we are taught to just try! By giving our best in challenging circumstances and focusing on what is in our control, challenges will be less difficult than imagined. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a ...
Mar 30, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 24
What direction do we go when faced with challenges? How can we see the bigger picture when our circumstances blind us? Let’s listen in on this next episode of Bhagavad Gita 101 on challenges. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community ...
Mar 23, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 23
In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, we learn from a verse that guides us through ways we can empower others, even during a conflict. Vivekji explains how these few changes within us can resolve any conflicts we have within or with others. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series with Shri Vivek Gupta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-developmen...
Mar 17, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 22
We're revisiting another one of our Freedom Talks! In this next mini-episode, we ask the questions: What is OM? How can we have compassion towards people whom we find difficult? Want to join Meaningful Mornings? Learn more. For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and contemplate. This podcast is produced by young adults of Chinmaya Mission, an international non-profit organization working to transform individuals throu...
Mar 09, 2023•7 min
FREEDOM TALKS are our bite-sized episodes with Vivekji featuring questions from seekers across the world. In today's episode, we ask the questions: How to deal with expectations from close ones? How to balance time, resources, and effort between serving while focusing on self-development? What is the significance of eclipses, especially during pregnancy? For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and contemplate. This pod...
Mar 02, 2023•10 min
In this episode of Bhagavad Gita 101, Vivekji teaches us practices to help us quieten our minds so we can focus on resolving and accepting. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series from Live Vedanta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and contemplate. Follow us on ...
Feb 23, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 21
In this episode on conflict resolution, Vivekji shares a verse from the Bhagavad Gita that explains the different stages of desire and anger and how we can overcome them to resolve our outer and inner conflicts. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series from Live Vedanta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provi...
Feb 16, 2023•21 min•Season 5Ep. 20
In this first episode on Resolving, Vivekji explains the solutions to our inner and outer problems. What should we focus on to help resolve any conflicts we may be experiencing? The Bhagavad Gita 101 series from Live Vedanta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, r...
Feb 09, 2023•23 min•Season 5Ep. 19
In this episode on parenting, Vivekji delves into two verses from the Bhagavad Gita that describe the role of a successful parent. Vivekji also outlines 5 tactile practices to becoming a better parent–and a parent who works hard and smart. The Bhagavad Gita 101 series from Live Vedanta sheds light on contemporary issues of relating, communicating, dedicating, and more. Missed an episode? Listen to the previous episode or start from the beginning . For those on the journey of self-development, Ch...
Feb 02, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 18