Podcast Summary
Exploring the Basics of Hinduism with Swami Tiagananda: Swami Tiagananda emphasizes simplicity as the key to dealing with feelings of incompleteness or emptiness in Hinduism, which Dan Harris refers to as deep decluttering. Swami also discusses the connections between Hinduism and Buddhism, and believes all prayers are answered.
Wondery Plus subscribers can access the 10% Happier podcast early and ad-free, and in today's episode, Dan Harris explores Hinduism with Swami Tiagananda, a monk and Hindu chaplain at MIT and Harvard. They discuss the basics of Hinduism, including its history, prayer, meditation, and the concepts of letting go, karma, rebirth, and selflessness. Swami Tiagananda argues that the answer to dealing with feelings of incompleteness or emptiness is simplicity, which Dan refers to as deep decluttering. The episode also touches on the connections between Hinduism and Buddhism, and Swami Tiagananda's belief that all prayers are answered. Additionally, Dan mentions that this week, the show will feature interviews that challenge his views on Buddhism. The episode is sponsored by Dell Technologies, Whole Foods Market, and DoorDash. Dell is celebrating its 40th anniversary with savings on tech, Whole Foods Market is offering Easter brunch options, and DoorDash can deliver Easter supplies to your door.
The Joy of Letting Go: Focusing on inner essence and letting go of attachments leads to lasting joy and fulfillment
The process of letting go can make way for new and more meaningful experiences in life. Swami Chaganda, a spiritual leader, explains that his name, which means "the joy of letting go," is an ideal he has strived to attain. Letting go can be difficult due to our innate desire for accumulation, but it becomes easier when we acquire something more valuable or meaningful. Swami Chaganda shares that during his teenage years, he was drawn to the study of ancient texts in search of something permanent and lasting, leading him to discover the immutable inner essence of existence. This inner essence, which cannot be taken away, is a source of lasting joy and fulfillment. By focusing on this inner essence and letting go of temporary attachments, we can find true happiness and meaning in life.
Understanding the Essence of Existence: Body, Mind, and Self: The essence of existence is the self, which is non-material and non-perishable, while the body and mind are material and perishable. Hindu texts refer to the self as 'arkman' and the ultimate goal is to free it from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth by ending the mind.
According to the speaker, the essence of existence can be understood as the self, which is a combination of the visible body, the invisible mind, and the non-material self or soul. The body and mind are perishable and material, while the self is non-material and non-perishable. The Hindu texts refer to this non-material part as "arkman" or the self. The ultimate goal, according to Hindu theology, is for the mind to end, allowing the self to be free from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The speaker encourages questioning one's own identity and what truly makes up "who we are."
The only imperishable entity is the self or spirit: In Eastern spirituality, the belief is that every action has consequences and the ultimate goal is to transcend the cycle of birth and death through spiritual growth.
According to Eastern spirituality, the only truly imperishable entity is the self or spirit, while material things, including the body, are perishable. This belief is rooted in the concept of rebirth and karma, which holds that every action has consequences, and that suffering or happiness in this life may be a result of past actions. The ultimate goal is to transcend the cycle of birth and death through spiritual growth and understanding of the true nature of the self. It's important to note that the idea of rebirth is not about desiring continued existence, but rather recognizing the interconnectedness of actions and their consequences.
Understanding the concept of karma and its impact on our actions: Believing in karma can motivate us to act compassionately and make positive choices, recognizing the potential impact of our actions on ourselves and others, both in this life and potentially in past lives.
The belief in karma, or the idea that our actions have consequences, can lead to a deeper sense of responsibility for our lives and the world around us. However, it's important to understand that this doesn't mean being indifferent to suffering or inequality. Instead, recognizing the potential impact of our actions, both in this life and potentially in past lives, can motivate us to act compassionately and make positive choices. By taking responsibility for our own actions and their consequences, we can gain clarity and empowerment to shape our future. However, the question of why terrible things happen to innocent people remains a complex and deeply philosophical one, and different beliefs and perspectives may offer different answers.
Understanding the causes of suffering: Focus on alleviating current suffering instead of dwelling on past actions or metaphysical questions. Desire is identified as the root cause of suffering.
While we can generally understand that good actions lead to positive outcomes and bad actions lead to suffering, the specific causes of suffering in our lives may not always be clear. The Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita, acknowledges the inscrutability of karma. Instead of dwelling on the past or engaging in metaphysical questions, it is more productive to focus on alleviating current suffering. The Buddha identified desire (Tanha) as the root cause of suffering. If we encounter someone suffering, rather than trying to determine their past actions, it is more helpful to use our resources to aid them in their present struggle. The Vedas, mentioned in the conversation, are the oldest spiritual texts in Hinduism, with no human authorship. The Gita, a more recent text, is considered a summary of the Vedas and is the most popular Hindu scripture. Vedanta refers to the philosophical foundation of Hinduism, which unites all the various sects and denominations under its essence. The term "Hinduism" originated from the Persian pronunciation of the Indus River, and it was used to describe the people living on the other side of the river.
Hinduism: Monotheistic Tradition with Multiple Incarnations: Hinduism, a major religion in India, is more accurately described as a monotheistic tradition with one divine being having multiple incarnations, rather than a faith with many gods. The term 'Hinduism' is not indigenous and a more precise term could be 'Vedanta'.
Hinduism, a major religion in the Indian subcontinent, is often referred to as a faith with many gods, but it's more accurate to describe it as a monotheistic tradition with one divine being having multiple incarnations. The term Hinduism itself is not indigenous to the region and has historical roots in orientalism. A more precise term could be Vedanta. The concept of incarnations, or Avatars, in Hinduism signifies the descent of the divine into the human world, often in extraordinary beings whose influence lasts for centuries. These beings are believed to be a meeting point between the human and the divine. The selection of audio books on Audible offers a vast array of genres, including true crime and mystery thrillers. One recent recommendation is "Age of Vice" by Deepi Kapoor, which takes listeners into the underworld of New Delhi and India. As an Audible member, you can choose one title a month to keep for free.
Reflecting on the cycle of life and Quince's affordable essentials: Quince's affordable essentials can bring joy to daily life, while deeper philosophical questions invite self-reflection and personal growth, reminding us to consider the cycle of life and our true nature
Quince offers high-quality essentials for your wardrobe at unbeatable prices. From Mongolian cashmere sweaters to leather jackets and activewear, their timeless pieces never go out of style. Meanwhile, the speaker reflects on the concept of samsara, the cycle of birth, suffering, and death in Eastern philosophy. He explains that ignorance is what brings us into this cycle, and we forget our true nature, just as we forget ourselves during sleep. In our waking lives, we face universal suffering such as aging, sickness, and mortality, which cannot be escaped through human means. Instead, we must consider whether we want to continue experiencing this suffering indefinitely or seek an end to it. Quince's affordable yet excellent clothing choices can bring joy to your daily life, while the deeper philosophical questions invite self-reflection and personal growth.
Finding freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth: Achieve enlightenment by letting go of attachments, realizing existence is a dream, and simplifying life for inner peace, joy, and contentment.
According to various religious traditions, the ultimate goal is to find freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth, or samsara. This can be achieved by "waking up" and realizing that all of existence, including suffering and mortality, is just a dream. Enlightenment, or becoming a Buddha, is a subjective experience that brings peace, joy, and contentment. To achieve this state, one must let go of unnecessary attachments and simplify their life. The external signs of enlightenment include a person's aura, their loving and kind nature, and their ability to bring upliftment to those around them. However, only the enlightened person truly knows what has changed inside.
Connecting with the divine through simplicity: Practice prayer and meditation for a deeper faith and connection to the divine. Declutter materially and psychologically for spiritual growth.
In Hindu tradition, simplicity is key to connecting with the divine. This involves decluttering both materially and psychologically. Prayer and meditation are spiritual practices that help deepen our faith and bring us closer to the divine. Prayer is a response to our desires, while worship is an expression of gratitude. Meditation, or "seeing the divine," can be challenging as we may not always feel a connection, but it's important to distinguish thinking from meditation. The mind is like a body of water, with the surface being disturbed by thoughts, but diving deeper leads to stillness. Through these practices, we can grow closer to the simple, infinite divine existence.
Thinking and meditation connection in Hinduism: Hinduism views thinking as a path to meditation, but they are not the same. Hinduism values wisdom from all sources and sees Buddha as a reformer within the tradition, emphasizing similarities over differences.
Thinking can lead to meditation, but thinking itself is not meditation. In Hinduism, meditation is not a singular practice, and the labels of Hindu or Buddhist do not matter as long as a practice resonates with an individual. Hindu monk Swami encourages openness to wisdom from any direction. Regarding the differences between Hindu and Buddhist meditation, it's challenging to compare due to the various techniques in each tradition. Swami sees Buddha as a reformer within the Hindu tradition and emphasizes the similarities between the two. Buddha did not start a new religion but focused on reforming existing beliefs. The relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism can be likened to Christianity and Judaism. Buddha was a powerful and charismatic figure within the Hindu tradition.
Buddha's Influence on Hinduism: Buddha, a royal figure in ancient India, is revered in Hinduism for his teachings. Hinduism views him as an avatar, but Buddhism's emphasis on self as an illusion sets it apart. Buddhism's adaptability to local cultures has led to its global impact.
Buddha, despite coming from a royal family and belonging to the priestly caste in ancient India, is considered a great teacher in Hinduism due to the influence of his teachings on Hindu scriptures. Hinduism sees Buddha as an avatar and he is worshipped by Hindus. However, as Buddhism spread to different parts of the world, it absorbed local cultural influences and evolved into various forms. A key difference between Buddhism and Hinduism lies in their understanding of the self or the soul. While Hinduism emphasizes the existence of an eternal self or Atman, Buddhism teaches that the concept of self is an illusion and true liberation lies in letting go of attachment to self. Buddha, being a practical teacher, encouraged his followers to focus on the reality beyond concepts rather than getting lost in them. Overall, Buddhism's ability to assimilate local cultures and adapt to different contexts has contributed to its deep impact on the world.
Letting go of limiting concepts: Focus on present reality beyond concepts, let go of false self, use concepts as tools, work towards experiencing reality through meditation, service, and prayer
The teachings of Buddha encourage us to let go of limiting concepts, such as the belief in a permanent self or Atman. Instead, we should focus on the present moment and reality beyond concepts. Buddha warned against becoming preoccupied with the concept of Anatman (no self) as well. He emphasized the importance of using concepts as tools for understanding but not getting stuck in them. For many people, the self is their ego, and letting go of this false self can lead to a deeper understanding of reality. Through meditation, service, and prayer, we can work towards experiencing this reality beyond concepts, which brings joy and enlightenment. While concepts are helpful for intellectual understanding, remaining too attached to them can hinder our growth. Buddha's teachings continue to inspire us to look beyond concepts and live in harmony with our thoughts, words, and actions. As for my personal journey, I have become happier, more mature, and more convinced that I'm on the right path. I continue to work on aligning my thoughts, words, and actions to minimize stress and anxiety in my life.
Aligning words, actions, and beliefs for authenticity: Universal struggle towards authenticity, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, and Sri Shahadadevi teachings, unique journey, internal change, natural and spontaneous growth
Authenticity is crucial for leading an authentic and enlightened life. According to the speaker, aligning our words, actions, and beliefs is essential for achieving authenticity. The speaker, who is part of the Varan Society, emphasizes that this struggle towards authenticity is a universal one, regardless of religious or spiritual backgrounds. The teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, and Sri Shahadadevi have helped many people become better versions of themselves, regardless of their faith. The speaker's goal is to help individuals grow by extending a hand without asking for change or imposing it upon them. The journey towards authenticity is unique for each person, and the internal change should occur naturally and spontaneously. The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share these insights and looks forward to continuing the conversation.
A promising opportunity turned into a nightmare: Consider potential downsides before pursuing opportunities, and prioritize self-care and support systems during challenging experiences.
Even the most promising opportunities can turn into disappointments. The individuals in this situation were initially excited about a dream opportunity, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. They were isolated for weeks, subjected to criticism and even underwent surgeries. The experience was so negative that it became a topic of discussion on podcasts under the title of a "big flop." This experience serves as a reminder that not all opportunities are worth pursuing, and it's essential to consider the potential downsides before diving in. Additionally, it highlights the importance of self-care and support systems, especially during challenging experiences.
