Sri Narasingha
Śrī Narasingha

Intro:

For New Visitors

Explore

Play

Search

Donate

Translate:

Esoteric Teaching Seminars—Authentic Vedic Spiritual Life and Astrology

by David Bruce Hughes

The Domain and Nomenclature of the Absolute Truth The first principle of Vedānta is to inquire into Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth, for the purpose of this discussion, is defined as the source from which everything emanates, or Brahman. The domain of inquiry into Absolute Truth of Vedānta is therefore, in the broadest sense, the field of ontology or the study of origins.
Introduction to Vedanta-sutra Vedānta-sūtra describes five tattvas (truths): 1. īśvara (The Supreme Personality of Godhead); 2. jīva (the individual living entity, or spirit-soul); 3. prakṛti (matter); 4. kāla (time); and 5. karma (action). The īśvara is omniscient, but the jīva has only limited knowledge. Still, both are eternal beings, are aware of the spiritual reality, and have a variety of spiritual qualities. Both are alive, have personality, and are aware of their own identity.
Quantum Physics and Vedic Metaphysics

Consciousness is the primary issue in human life. Indeed, without consciousness, there are no other issues. Consciousness and its corollaries are fundamental to every thought, word and action. Yet how strange it is that no universally accepted, comprehensive theory of consciousness exists in Western science. The reason for this is clear: until recently, science intentionally restricted its domain to empirical investigations of the manifest objective world, while consciousness is intrinsically subjective and immanent.

Vedānta as a State of Absolute Consciousness

The essence of Vedānta is not so much a particular philosophical or theological interpretation of some obscure ancient scriptures, but a fresh and living approach to solving the real problems of life for everyone’s practical benefit. We therefore abstract the principles of Vedāntic exegesis and apply them to subjects of paramount concern to everyone: the problems of suffering and death.

Adhikarana One: Inquiry into the Absolute The first adhikarana or topic of Vedānta begins the inquiry into the Absolute [Brahman or the Universal Quantum Wave Function]. Everyone should inquire very seriously about the Absolute. Why? Because knowledge of the Absolute—the science of consciousness—is the only source of unconditional happiness. There is no other means to obtain perfect, uninterrupted, endless happiness, because consciousness is the fundamental existential issue. Such exalted happiness is possible only through understanding and practicing the recondite truths of Vedānta in regard to one’s personal relationship with the Absolute. Because without happiness life is not worth living, one should inquire extensively about the Absolute until one reaches a conclusive practical understanding. In other words, one should dedicate a significant portion of one’s time and resources to inquiring about the science of consciousness and practicing transcendental knowledge until one attains self-realization, the source of unlimited happiness. This will bring the greatest satisfaction obtainable in human life.
Catemaco Retreat Journal This is a true story: the real-life spiritual adventure of establishing our Esoteric Teaching rural retreat center in a tiny, remote Mexican village, accompanied by my disciples Florian and Conor. This pastime represents the fruition of a dream long in coming into reality from its origin in the confidential instructions received from my spiritual Master Teacher Srila Prabhupada in 1978, at the time of his leaving this world. Includes many photos.
Sapta Svarah A groundbreaking thesis on spiritual music and sacred sound written in 1986, when David was co-Chariman of the Music Department at the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir Gurukula in West Bengal, India. Forms the basis of the RagaJazz composition system. 35 pages, 8.5 x 11", many illustrations [312 KB PDF]
Vedic Scales, Chords and Tonalities Extends the explication of the Vedic system of musical tonality first described in Sapta Svarah into the realm of scales and chords, the practical materials of musical improvisation and composition. Contains 24 pages, 8.5 x 11", many charts, tables and musical examples with MP3s. [1.2 MB PDF]
The Vrndavan-lila Project The Vrndavan-lila Recording Project is a major work in progress. Based firmly on the spiritual principles of Vedic music, it is an outgrowth of over 30 years of training and experience as a bhakti-yogi in the holy places of India and around the world. You are invited to become involved with this project as an investor or performer. [261 KB PDF]
Kauai Meditation Retreat The true story of how Babaji gave up the material world, retired to an isolated beach on the island of Kauai, and chanted for six months in seclusion. At the conclusion of this time he had a vision of Lord Krsna in Vrndavan, and a dream in which his spiritual master instructed him to restore the original meaning of his teachings.
Karma-yoga Series For some time I have wanted to do a series on karma-yoga. Many people misunderstand karma-yoga to be similar to 'good works' or charity, but this is incorrect. Simply being nice to others or giving superficial material benefits to unqualified random people is not karma-yoga. The distinguishing characteristic of karma-yoga is that it is work on the basis of spiritual understanding, done for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
The Absolute Truth

The Absolute Truth is the essence of what is. Who can know the Absolute Truth? Only one who perfectly understands the true nature of the soul, and God, and has developed Divine Love.

The Solution to All Problems We all have problems. Although the problems of life are innumerable, nevertheless they have a simple, natural solution.
The Story of Lord Nrsimhadeva Sometimes people wonder, "Who is that beautiful Lion on your website?" This extended excerpt from Srimad-Bhagavatam tells the whole story.
Parable of the Mountain Path A brave young man discovers the world of reality beyond the end of the sidewalk...and meets God, in this beautifully illustrated short story from David's book Search for the Absolute Truth [657 KB PDF].
Laws of Karma A comprehensive listing of the manifestations of ther three modes of material nature and the trasncendental mode (akarma or naiskarma) as described in Bhagavad-gita and other Vedic scriptures. [169 KB PDF]
Yoga: The Big Picture Gives a perspective on yoga rarely heard in the West: an overview of the complete yogic source literature.
What is Samadhi? This essay by David Bruce Hughes explains the ultimate purpose and effect of the original Vedic yoga system.
The big lie and the Absolute Truth You might think you believe it, and might even defend it if someone were to call it a lie. Of course, you’ve never seen any proof for the big lie, but that’s because there isn’t any.
What is the Esoteric Teaching? The key to our heart's desire is an open secret. Use it to solve all the problems of life. [81 KB PDF]
Search for the Absolute Truth What is the Absolute Truth? Would we recognize the Absolute Truth even if we stumbled across it? [152 KB PDF]
Current War Marks End of Era Is the current war World War III? The end of the world? What is its spiritual significance?
Spiritual Armor A simplified version of the Narayana-kavaca spiritual armor that gives protection from gross and subtle material attacks.
Sannyasa This short essay describes the actual inner state of the sannyasi or renunciant.
Preface to Sri Visnusahasranama The philosophy of transcendental sound is the fundamental mechanism of Vedic spiritual life.
Temple of the Heart This prayer illustrates the sentiments of an advanced devotee of Kṛṣṇa in the stage of spontaneous devotional service.
What is Bhakti? Bhakti-yoga is the most important of all the yoga teachings. Pure bhakti is the greatest good, the most valuable gift, and the most confidential knowledge. ISBN 0-9793586-5-2
Beyond Religion Religion is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end. That end is our unique personal relationship with God.
Four Dialogues An astonishing, intimate view of an advanced devotee's relationship with his Lord.
Dear David An illuminating email dialogue with an old friend who raises intelligent questions on the nature of the Absolute Truth.
Six Stages of Conscious Evolution Our search for relief from the suffering of life goes through six well-defined stages of consciousness. All states of consciousness experienced in human life fall somewhere in this spectrum of six stages of solutions.
Avoiding Offenses There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Holy Nme of the Lord. This article contains some hints on how to avoid them.
The Hard Questions What if all that is knowable could be boiled down to a single concise, easy-to-understand formula? [16 KB PDF]
Immortality When we create in conflict with the purpose of the universe, we experience difficulty and pain. When we create in harmony with the actual purpose of the universe, the pleasure and joy we experience are precursors of enlightenment .
Survival of the Fakest Science now knows that many of the pillars of Darwinian theory are either false or misleading. Yet biology textx continue to present them as factual evidence of evolution. What does this imply about their scientific standards? An article by Jonathan Wells

 

This site looks best with
Firefox 2

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-
Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License
.

Support CC - 2007

Go: Back | Home

Please chant this beautiful mantra (click on Sanskrit to play MP3):
om namo bhagavate vasudevaya


Sign up here for the monthly Esoteric Teaching Seminars Newsletter:

Name: E-mail: