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Welcome to Atmajyoti Vedanta Study Circle!
- What is the Vedanta study circle ?
It is a Self-study group consisting of 5 people including one coordinator. It is guided Self-study. Vedanta texts are taken up for study in a systematic way by the group. Vedanta Study Circle introduction video by Shri Prabhuji : Click the following link to see video on face book:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vedantastudygroup/permalink/427078471915248/ - How did this begun?
On the auspicious day of Shivaratri, Gayatri Havan was conducted to invoke blessings of Vedamata Gayatri Devi for starting the Atmajyoti Vedanta Study Circle Program. Please see the video in youtube by clicking the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfT-3Uuyn9M
- What is guided Self study ?
Video talks of Shri Prabhuji in English and Kannada are available for you for Self-study. Support of group members is available for discussion and understanding. Support of the coordinator is
available for guidance. Prabhuji will be available for clarification on email and periodic zoom sessions. - How often does the Satsang take place ? What is the mode of meeting ?
Virtual satsangs of AVSC members are based on Zoom. Frequency, time period of each session is left to the discretion of group members. Coordinator in consultation with Group members will decide. - What is the meaning of Atmajyoti ?
Atma Jyoti means Divine Light of Awareness. We greet members of Satsang Group as “Atma Jyotis – Divine Light of The Self “ recognizing divine nature in us. Atma means SELF. - What is my group ?
Each group has a name of a saint or God followed by AVSC. For example Ramakrishna AVSC, SharadaDevi AVSC etc. Each group has a co-ordinator who will guide activities of the group. - How should we go about study ?
Following are the steps:
The Group Coordinator creates a whats app group for communication purpose and adds all members to the group.
Following are the steps involved in regular study.
a)Discuss within the co-ordinator and the group plan of study.
b) Distribute the work amongst group members. For example if you have to cover studying 10 slokasin one meeting, each member can prepare for talk on 2 slokas. Atmajyotis also can practice meditations given in channel after subscribing to meditation channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH280BI1Yl_aznawXm5ao_Q
Breath meditation, Antar Nidhidhyasa, Bahya nidhidhyas can be practiced.
c). Listen to the video satsangs by Shri Prabhuji at your own pace. Make notes if necessary
d). Schedule time for meeting on whatsapp.
e). Join Zoom session on scheduled time.
f). Present your understanding in 5 to 7 minutes.
g). Discuss within the group your understanding.
h). Co-ordinator should ensure time compliance.
i). Finally the co-ordinator will present his/her view and summarize the entire session.
j). Entire session is recorded for 40 minutes and uploaded to Facebook page by the coordinator for future reference. FB page link:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/vedantastudygroup/ - What if we have questions ?
The Coordinator is in a position to clarify the answers. Any question can be posted in google email group. Prabhuji will answer the question. A discussion can happen on the google email group. Periodically Prabhuji will have Zoom sessions or meditation and clarification of doubts. - How to conduct Zoom Satsang ?
Co-Ordinator sends Zoom meeting link for the satsang at specified time in the whatsapp group.
Step 1 : Opening Prayer
Respecting the SELF
“Antar Jyotihi bahirjyotihi, pratyagjyothihi paratpara, Jyotireva
jyotihi atmajyotihi Shivosmyaham” – Brahmajnanavali Mala.
I am the Supreme light of awareness illuminating the outer world of objects, inner world of thoughts, and deep sleep state. I am divine light of the nature of Auspiciousness – Shivaswarupi.
Guru Vandana
“Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Gurudevo Maheshwaraha Gurusakhat Parabrahma tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha.”
“Akhanda Mandalakaram Vyaptam yena characharam tatpadam darshitam yena tasmai shri gurave namaha”
Respect to Guru Parampara:
“Narayana samarambhat Shankaracharya Madhyamam Asmadacharya Paryantam Vande Guru Paramparam.
Sadashiva Samarambhat Shankaracharya Madhyamam Asmadacharya Paryantam Vande Guru Paramparam”
Step 2 : Coordinator welcomes all Atmajyotis and explains the agenda of the day, time schedule and discipline at the beginning of every meeting.
Discipline :- Respect all member Atmajyothis – divine light of Self.
- Maintain time schedule.
- Discussion should be to arrive at clarity not to prove who is right or wrong. No fighting over any issue.
- Everybody here has come for SELF discovery. We are all travelers on the path of spiritual journey.
- Let us support each other.
- Step 3: Each atmajyothi explains his understanding in 5 to 7 minutes. Followed by there is a discussion and conclusion by the coordinator. Total duration of the session is 40 minutes. The zoom session is recorded and uploaded to the Facebook page by co-ordinator.
- Step 4 : 10 minutes Break.
- Step 5 : Fresh Zoom session for meditation. Meditation from the meditation channel can be taken. Each meditation is one hour duration in the above channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH280BI1Yl_aznawXm5ao_Q
Or simple meditation like breath observation or omkar meditation can be done for a shorter duration. - Step 6 : Closing Prayer
6a). Chant Nirvana Shatakam with meaning.
mano buddhi ahankara chittani naaham
na cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netre
na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vaayuhu
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory, I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes, I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind, I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayuhu
na va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshah
na vak pani-padam na chopastha payu
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
I am not the breath, nor the five elements, I am not matter, nor the 5 sheaths of consciousness Nor am I the speech, the hands, or the feet,I am the form of consciousness and bliss, I am the eternal Shiva…
na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau
na me vai mado naiva matsarya bhavaha
na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshaha
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
There is no like or dislike in me, no greed or delusion, I know not pride or jealousy, I have no duty, no desire for wealth, lust or liberation, I am the form of consciousness and bliss, I am the eternal Shiva…
na punyam na papam na saukhyam na
duhkham na mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnah
aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
No virtue or vice, no pleasure or pain, I need no mantras, no pilgrimage, no scriptures or rituals, I am not the experienced, nor the experience itself, I am the form of consciousness and bliss, I am the eternal Shiva…
na me mrtyu shanka na mejati bhedaha
pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha
na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shishyaha
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
I have no fear of death, no caste or creed, I have no father, no mother, for I was never born, I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student, I am the form of consciousness and bliss, I am the eternal Shiva…
aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo
vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam
na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meyaha
chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
I am devoid of duality, my form is formlessness, I exist everywhere, pervading all senses, I am neither attached, neither free nor captive, I am the form of consciousness and bliss, I am the eternal Shiva…
6b). “Asato ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mratyorma amritam gamaya Om Shanti shanti Shantih.”
6c). “Purnamadaha Purnamidam Purnat Purnamuduchyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate. Om Shanti Shanti Shantih”
6d). “Naanu Nanembudu Naanalla, Ee deha mana buddhi naanalla, sachchidanandatma Shiva Naanu Naane – Shivoham, Shivoham, Shivoham”
“I am not the body,mind, Intellect, I am pure consciousness – Shiva Swarupi”
6e). “Atma Darshanam Brahma Darshanam Brahma Darshanam Satya Darshanam”
6f). Lokaha Samasthaha Sukhino Bhavantu ||3|| - Step 7 : Discussion about distribution of work for next study, next satsang timing any feedback for improvement. Meditation session is not Zoom recorded.
- Can more people join a Circle ?
Ideal will be 5 member circle. However more people can join and the circle can branch into two child circles of 5 each when the strength grows to 10 members.