Verses: 23-31
This lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda at Stanford University on May 19, 2019. The lecture was hosted by the Stanford Hindu Students Association.
-At stage one, Titiksha, is a strong determination to carry forward with your ideal with no response to negative obstacles. At a later stage, even the thought of response is gone. In the Bhagavad Gita, it is described as an iron will coupled with deep contentment, santosha. Buddha’s vow is a perfect example.
-Shraddha is critical for spiritual learning because Brahman is apparently invisible at the beginning of spiritual life and Jagat is apparently so real at the beginning. Without Shraddha, we cannot even listen to a Vedanta lecture.
-There is one kind of doubt, which consists of intellectual arrogance and hypocrisy – not wanting to believe. There is sincere disbelief which takes you to real belief because it is based on a sincere quest for truth.
-Shraddha leads to a firm belief in the words of the Guru and the words of the Shashtras. It is not accomplished through force but through an open process of listening, reasoning, and then obtaining experience.
-Samadhana is also explained with an example from the Bhagavad Gita.
-Mumukshutvam leads to all other qualities. The methods of intensifying Mumukshutvam and the dynamics of spiritual liberation over many lifetimes are explained.
-Only through Mumukshutvam, will all other qualities really bear fruit.
-An elaborate discussion is also given on the definition of Bhakti in the Vivekachudamani (nididhyasana) and its relation to the Bhakti discussed in the Bhagavad Gita. Advaita and Bhakti are clearly harmonized.