Your voice is so soothing. So lovely to hear about your backstory, it must have been so interesting to have lived in an Ashram for 6 years. I can so relate to feeling adrift. Despite following the ‘stable path’ with a predefined career path, kids etc internally I’ve spent most of my adult life floating - as if I had no rooting. Finding Vipassana set in a change for me, but reading your work and now the Vedanta Treatise I came to realize I’ve only touched the surface. Thanks for sharing your timeless knowledge and journey, it helps so many of us.
Nathalie, it wasn’t just interesting, it was life changing. This wasn’t just any ashram, it was five star, absolutely spotless and dedicated to knowledge/ gnanam — an unknown prerequisite for meditation. it’s the knowledge that keeps the mind steady. we were up at 4am every morning for the meditative practice of Gnana Yoga — study and contemplation.
i’m so pleased the voice is so soothing. one day they might make comments voice activated. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
I can only imagine how life changing that must have been, that place sounds divine Did you write more about your experiences in the Ashram? I was reading some of your earlier articles and now I am really curious to learn more.
So lovely to hear from you MJ. You know, about an hour ago I was thinking of you and here you are. Thoughts are powerful. Aren't they? You could be thinking of someone on the other side of the globe and they’re thinking of you. Amazing.
Such a gem, thank you Meredith for putting across in plain English what some folks make overly abstract. (I'm just getting around to reading a few of your recent articles, btw.)
"Yet, unlike other mystical schools of thought that get lost in abstract ideas, Vedanta is intensely practical. It accepts the reality of our current human experience — that we function with a body, a mind, and intellect — and teaches us exactly how to navigate the messy day-to-day, guiding us step-by-step toward ultimate transcendence."
--> I don't know why there's this great misconception in the West that Eastern spirituality wasn't meant for everyday life. That these old apparently patriarchal teachings were for sanyasins who retreated off to the mountains. As far as I can tell, the teachings may need tweaking for modern life, but the principles are eternal, as you mention.
Thank you kindly for sharing your experience and perspective. I enjoy your writing and especially the voice over. Would you be so kind as to share what the higher values you refer to are? 🙏🎁
Please accept my congratulations as the universe guided you on path on Vedanta. And big thanks for sharing it across, helping many more to see the depth of this deep knowledge.
I'm so glad substack has the voice section. The article feels more real and human. Thanks for this :)
Totally agree 🙏
Could use some of the teachings of this in high schools I think!
The manual you describe, I think we collect its pages all our lives.
Some of mine came from my amma’s kitchen. Some from watching trees after a storm. They bend, they lose leaves, but they don’t break.
We don’t get the whole book at 26. But if we stay open, life hands us one verse at a time. Thank you for this.
Your voice is so soothing. So lovely to hear about your backstory, it must have been so interesting to have lived in an Ashram for 6 years. I can so relate to feeling adrift. Despite following the ‘stable path’ with a predefined career path, kids etc internally I’ve spent most of my adult life floating - as if I had no rooting. Finding Vipassana set in a change for me, but reading your work and now the Vedanta Treatise I came to realize I’ve only touched the surface. Thanks for sharing your timeless knowledge and journey, it helps so many of us.
Nathalie, it wasn’t just interesting, it was life changing. This wasn’t just any ashram, it was five star, absolutely spotless and dedicated to knowledge/ gnanam — an unknown prerequisite for meditation. it’s the knowledge that keeps the mind steady. we were up at 4am every morning for the meditative practice of Gnana Yoga — study and contemplation.
i’m so pleased the voice is so soothing. one day they might make comments voice activated. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
I can only imagine how life changing that must have been, that place sounds divine Did you write more about your experiences in the Ashram? I was reading some of your earlier articles and now I am really curious to learn more.
It’s funny you should ask about my experience at the Vedanta Academy. I am writing about it and hope that it will be published one day.
Thanks so much, Nat. I’m going to respond to this properly in the morning.It’s evening here in Australia.
Cannot agree more 🙏🏽
Thank you 🙏
Your voice is so calming.
calm mind, calm voice!!
Fantastic post. I have found myself drawn more and more to ancient wisdom. Wisdom that stands the test of time.
Oh, indeed it does. Timeless wisdom. It will change your life.
Quality take. Thanks for the read! 🖋️📜🕰️
Thank you Emma.
I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to this knowledge, Meredith. Thank you 🙏 my teacher.
So lovely to hear from you MJ. You know, about an hour ago I was thinking of you and here you are. Thoughts are powerful. Aren't they? You could be thinking of someone on the other side of the globe and they’re thinking of you. Amazing.
🤍✨
Such a gem, thank you Meredith for putting across in plain English what some folks make overly abstract. (I'm just getting around to reading a few of your recent articles, btw.)
"Yet, unlike other mystical schools of thought that get lost in abstract ideas, Vedanta is intensely practical. It accepts the reality of our current human experience — that we function with a body, a mind, and intellect — and teaches us exactly how to navigate the messy day-to-day, guiding us step-by-step toward ultimate transcendence."
--> I don't know why there's this great misconception in the West that Eastern spirituality wasn't meant for everyday life. That these old apparently patriarchal teachings were for sanyasins who retreated off to the mountains. As far as I can tell, the teachings may need tweaking for modern life, but the principles are eternal, as you mention.
I’m intrigued!
Thank you kindly for sharing your experience and perspective. I enjoy your writing and especially the voice over. Would you be so kind as to share what the higher values you refer to are? 🙏🎁
Meredith, is there a book you would recommend to being studying Vedanta?
Please accept my congratulations as the universe guided you on path on Vedanta. And big thanks for sharing it across, helping many more to see the depth of this deep knowledge.
🙏🏽❤️
This was so beautiful to read and inspiring for me this morning. Thank you. I really feel that Vedanta is THE solution for this time...