Yoga Wisdom with Acharya das

Acharya das
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Become happier, more peaceful and fulfilled through Yoga Wisdom. Gain a new look at life through a more spiritual lens. Acharya Das has taught yoga wisdom to appreciative audiences for over 40 years. He has an uncommonly deep understanding of yoga philosophy and practices, conveying that message in a clear and simple way while encouraging everyone to develop a daily meditation practice.

  1. 2D AGO

    #294 The Driving Emptiness - filling the void

    In this compelling fourth lecture of the series, Acharya das reframes well-being through the lens of timeless wisdom, drawing from sources like the Bhagavad Gita to reveal a powerful three-dimensional model: body, mind, and the often-overlooked spiritual self. With precision and clarity, the talk exposes a universal truth—no amount of success, relationships, or material gain can resolve the subtle but persistent sense of emptiness that many experience. This is not a personal failure or circumstantial issue; it is a signal pointing toward something deeper. The Bhagavad- gītā verse quoted in this talk: In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has achieved this enjoys the self within himself in due course of time. - Bhagavad-gītā 4.38 Such a liberated person is not attracted to material sense pleasure or external objects but is always in trance, enjoying the pleasure within. In this way the self-realized person enjoys unlimited happiness, for he concentrates on the Supreme. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.21 One whose happiness is within, who is active within, who rejoices within and is illumined within, is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme, and ultimately he attains the Supreme. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.24 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Three-Dimensional Well-being Paradigm ‎ 00:02:22 The Universal Experience of Emptiness and Advertising Manipulation ‎ 00:04:38 Personal Counseling Example: Fear of Being Alone ‎ 00:06:44 Behavioral Patterns of Avoiding Emptiness ‎ 00:08:38 Life Clutter and Hidden Loneliness‎ 00:11:19 Emptiness as Spiritual Protection and Indication ‎ 00:13:18 Material Wealth and Relationship Status Don't Eliminate Emptiness ‎ 00:15:01 The Inadequacy of the Material World ‎ 00:16:37 A Woman's Honest Blog About Emptiness ‎ 00:23:47 Attraction to Beauty, Happiness, and Love ‎ 00:27:00 The Ice Cream Sundae Metaphor ‎ 00:28:52 Spiritual Malnourishment and the Fish Out of Water Metaphor ‎ 00:30:31 The Inward Journey and Purpose of Human Life ‎ 00:33:07 Bhagavad Gita Verses on Transcendental Knowledge ‎ 00:35:56 Liberation Through Spiritual Understanding ‎ 00:37:59 The Self-Realized Person's Experience ‎ 00:39:30 The Perfect Mystic and Spiritual Attainment ‎ 00:41:08 Two Simple Practices: Yoga Wisdom and Meditation ‎ 00:42:16 Spiritual Sound and Its Purifying Effects ‎ 00:44:15 The Signal of Inner Longing ‎ 00:45:41 The Futility of Material Investment ‎ 00:46:55 Invitation to Kirtan Practice ‎

    59 min

  2. APR 22

    #293 Trauma - A Spiritual Perspective - Turning Wounds into Wisdom

    This is the 3rd talk in a Series on Wellness dealing with Trauma from a spiritual perspective. The two core premises presented in the discussion to help with a spiritual perspective is the Dharmic traditions understood that all pain and suffering will be somehow rooted in ignorance, and secondly, material existence and spiritual life as operating under completely different paradigms based upon the understanding (or misunderstanding) of the ‘self’, who I actually am. Am I the temporary and constantly changing material body and mind, or am I an eternal spiritual being who is inhabiting the material body and mind? During the talk a previous series of seven videos was referenced, titled “Weathering a Storm”. Links to the highly recommended Series are at the end of this post. Some quoted verses: “The more one is freed from material identification, the more one can realize that the spirit soul is qualitatively as good as the Supreme Soul.” – AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Persons devoid of ātma-tattva do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children and wife. Although sufficiently experienced, they still do not see their inevitable destruction. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 2.1.4 I took this as the special mercy of the Lord, who always desires benediction for His devotees, and so thinking, I started for the north. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.6.10 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Trauma from a Spiritual Perspective ‎ 00:03:47 Fundamental Premises of Spiritual Understanding ‎ 00:07:02 The Mind-Brain Distinction and Spiritual Identity ‎ 00:13:46 Proof of Separation Between Self and Mind ‎ 00:17:37 The Weathering a Storm Series Overview ‎ 00:21:03 The Seven Principles of Weathering Storms ‎ 00:27:07 Personal Responsibility and Conscious Choice-Making ‎ 00:30:55 Dealing with Anxiety and Unrealistic Expectations ‎ 00:34:12 Building Sand Castles and Facing Reality ‎ 00:36:22 Ancient Wisdom on Transcending Trauma ‎ 00:40:37 The Concept of False Shelter ‎ 00:44:25 Narda Muni's Story of Transcendence ‎ 00:49:54 Modern Psychology and Cultural Observations ‎ 00:53:53 Stoicism and Spiritual Principles ‎ 00:56:50 The Power of Perspective and Choice ‎ 01:01:19 Meditation as Transformation LINKS:https://acharyadas.com/series/weathering-a-storm/ Part 1: This TooShall Pass https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DQI5R44xmYbWf6ZXXK0Qf?si=xHj7i7seSU2fyfTuoKcMHA Part 2: The Serenity Prayer – roadmap for a crisis https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Uf8OooHZkHUgyA8rqiUQf?si=NRtIYbOaRvyCQA4LC9qsuA Part 3: Taking Back My Life – regaining control: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lk4RCFgR12o89IdP7qjlB?si=RQz7R0NcQjihn504ooohhQ Part 4: My Choices – My Life: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OYbmRYPzUudMM5t28NR6Y?si=J-osdtBjSJa8kYAzdBDpIA Part 5: Dealing with Anxiety: https://open.spotify.com/episode/13RBDI4Jh553LwDKfYzb26?si=TX9BDE5dRpuC-d14Y_rUUQ Part 6: Building sandcastles on the shore: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2E8nxp8oLsaTQZmAl3MSuZ?si=Rxd1LBUySTStsVhErLjaHw Part 7: Head in the Sand is not a Strategy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uSuSDft7throitM9oJi47?si=8GU0uairSBqBjAW5TpzzcQ

    1h 14m

  3. APR 10

    #292 Taking Control - personal agency & why it matters

    This is a talk on personal agency and spiritual well-being as Part 2 of a continuing series on Wellbeing. Personal agency is defined as "the individual's capacity to act intentionally, to make autonomous choices, and to influence their own circumstances and environment." But how free is our decision making process? And how autonomous are we in a world driven by Social Media and AI? Unfortunately, people don't question where their desires originate and whether they are truly self-generated. Personal agency is often associated with the terms self-determination and self-agency. Acharya das questions what personal agency means from a spiritual perspective, beginning from the concept of "self" used in the term ‘self-determination.’ At the beginning of the talk Acharya das mentions another series of talks titled “Who Controls your Mind” which can be accessed via the following links: https://open.spotify.com/episode/125xZdjbMeCC1wmN4O8mPm?si=4Vw4cpZoQz6NKEPOKXxACw https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UiR00VEKV5q2HT4L4g7bC?si=2qLshURaTa2VDF0m_68kMQ https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Bb1QwUPfzJN0wIcRT1qbU?si=eu3rhEToQkGR3SYEQAXF-A https://open.spotify.com/episode/6FLoEVfJoEmQ7frixdVuCC?si=W5NVIIdbSImv31IIdPwRAQ https://acharyadas.com/series/who-controls-your-mind/ Verses quoted in this talk: “The individual is the passenger in the chariot of the material body, and intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument, and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses. So it is understood by great thinkers.” Katha Upanisad 1.3.3-4 The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence. Bhagavad-gita 3.42 A man must elevate himself by his own mind, not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well. Bhagavad-gita 6.5 For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy. Bhagavad-gita 6.6 This uncontrolled mind is the greatest enemy of the living entity. If one neglects it or gives it a chance, it will grow more and more powerful and will become victorious. Although it is not factual, it is very strong. It covers the constitutional position of the self/atma. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 5.11.17 For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by right means is assured of success. That is My opinion. Bhagavad-gita 6.36 “One who is not connected with the Supreme Soul can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?” – Bhagavad-gita 2.66 Chapters 00:00:10 Introduction and Topic Change ‎ 00:02:16 Modern Mind Control and Social Media Manipulation ‎ 00:04:32 The Illusion of Engagement and Control ‎ 00:06:34 Defining Personal Agency ‎ 00:10:46 The Science of Advertising and Manipulation ‎ 00:13:51 Redefining Personal Agency ‎ 00:15:52 The Question of Self-Identity ‎ 00:18:14 Vedic Understanding of Self ‎ 00:25:21 The Chariot Analogy ‎ 00:28:28 The Mind as Friend and Enemy ‎ 00:30:48 Rat Trap Happiness ‎ 00:32:37 The Importance of Good Decision-Making ‎ 00:35:30 The Uncontrolled Mind as Enemy ‎ 00:36:30 The Path to Self-Realization ‎ 00:37:44 Marching to a Different Beat ‎ 00:40:20 Connection to the Supreme ‎ 00:41:54 The Role of Meditation ‎

    57 min

  4. MAR 17

    #291 Burnout - a spiritual epidemic

    Over the past 3yrs media reports have described Burnout as "the silent epidemic," "the silent killer," and "the silent epidemic stealing your energy and joy." A significant root cause of burnout is a lack of purpose, stating that when people feel their work/life output is not connected to any higher purpose or sense of direction, depression quickly follows. Then there is the problem of cultivating unrealistic expectations of “life”. The fundamental spiritual truth is that individuals are eternal spiritual beings temporarily residing in physical bodies, and that over-identification with the temporary body and mind is the root of all suffering. Acharya das advocated for tolerance, temperance, reduced consumption, and the cultivation of spiritual purpose as pathways to avoid burnout and achieve fulfillment. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Burnout as a Modern Epidemic ‎ 00:02:46 The Pervasive Nature and Symptoms of Burnout ‎ 00:05:00 The Spiritual Root: Lack of Purpose ‎ 00:07:37 Modern Society's Contributing Factors ‎ 00:09:17 The Rise of Communication Technology and Its Impact ‎ 00:15:30 Unrealistic Expectations in Modern Life ‎ 00:17:53 Performance-Based Happiness and Body Image ‎ 00:21:09 The Illusion of Perfection and Perfect Happiness ‎ 00:26:48 The Myth of Safe Spaces and Social Media Fulfillment ‎ 00:28:26 Burnout as the Natural Result of Chasing Unrealistic Dreams ‎ 00:31:18 The Spiritual Perspective: Ignorance Equals Suffering ‎ 00:33:39 The Spiritual Epidemic and Knowledge Gap ‎ 00:35:40 The Fundamental Truth: You Are an Eternal Spiritual Being ‎ 00:37:18 Understanding the Mind vs. the Self ‎ 00:39:52 The Century of Self and Individual Desires ‎ 00:41:24 Life is Tough But Can Be Wonderful ‎ 00:42:20 Spiritual Advice: Tolerance and Temperance ‎ 00:46:20 The Foundation of Spiritual Life and Meditation ‎ 00:50:26 Meditation as Spiritual Absorption

    1h 5m

  5. FEB 19

    #290 Self-Realization, God-Realization, and Love for God

    This is quite a long talk, on a very fascinating topic, delivered by Acharya das in the Philippines. It is a comprehensive look into the question of spiritual identity, God-realization, and the resultant experience of the awakening of transcendental and ecstatic love for God which naturally arises from that. Acharya das outlines three essential questions for self-realization: What is my essence? (spiritual being), What is my position? (subservient part and parcel of God, not the center of everything), and What is my natural function? (to love and serve). He described how material consciousness leads people to try becoming "mini-gods," placing themselves at the center of “their” universe, which ultimately results in emptiness and unhappiness. Regarding God-realization, he explained three aspects of God's manifestation: Brahman (impersonal spiritual energy), Paramatma (the expansion of God within the heart of all beings), and Bhagavan (the personal form of God in a spiritual realm). The speaker emphasized that love is an exchange between persons and that every soul has an eternal and intimate connection with God who is their true soulmate. He next explains that pure love for God already exists within everyone's heart and doesn't need to be acquired from external sources. Through the process of bhakti-yoga (devotional practice), particularly chanting God's holy names, this dormant love naturally awakens as the heart becomes purified. Some of the verses he quoted or which support this topic: God - He is the eternal among all eternal entities, and the chief conscious being among all conscious beings. Among the many living entities, He is the chief, who fulfills their desires. Śvetāsvatara Upaniṣad 6.13 & Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13 The same jīva (spirit-soul) is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning joined to the Supreme Lord by the tie of an eternal kinship. He is transcendental spiritual potency. - Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.21 Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. ‐ Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.2.11 “Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens. — Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.107 “By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one dissolves his entanglement in material activities. After this, one becomes very attracted to Krishna, and thus dormant love for Krishna is awakened.” — Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 15.109 CHAPTERS 00:01:13 Introduction to Soul vs. Body Identity ‎ 00:05:47The Reality of Death and Eternal Nature of the Soul ‎ 00:09:33 The Vedic Teaching on Individual Soul and Supreme Soul ‎ 00:14:07 Self-Realization: Understanding Essence, Position, and Function ‎ 00:21:34 The Problem of Material Consciousness and Mini-God Mentality ‎ 00:27:40 Natural Function: The Joy of Service and Giving ‎ ‎00:34:18 Three Aspects of God: Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan 00:41:22 The Eternal Relationship and Two Birds Analogy ‎ 00:51:39 The Supreme Teaching of Love and Common Misconceptions ‎ 00:55:05 The Nature of Love and Three Aspects of God Continued ‎ 00:56:52 The Process of Awakening Dormant Love ‎ 01:01:10 Sadhana Bhakti: The Practice of Devotional Service ‎ 01:05:12 Meditation as Spiritual Immersion, Not Mental Activity ‎ 01:23:29 Kirtan

    1h 39m

  6. JAN 23

    #289 Q&A Session - 2025 in Review - How did we do Spiritually?

    This is a Q&A session from the Soul Searchers Retreat. Acharya das delivers a comprehensive discussion on spiritual life versus material life, emphasizing the fundamental distinction between material consciousness (identifying with the physical body) and spiritual consciousness (recognizing oneself as an eternal spiritual being). He explains that material life is founded on the belief that "I am material," while spirituality recognizes "I'm an eternal spiritual being." A wide range of topics were addressed (as you can see from the chapters listed below) including the concept of karma yoga which was introduced as a process of integrating life activities with spiritual practice by offering all actions as service to a higher spiritual reality. ************************************** CHAPTERS ‎ 00:00 Distinguishing Material and Spiritual Life 02:39 The Concept of Karma Yoga 04:09 The Bhagavad Gita: Arjuna's Dilemma‎ 05:42 Arjuna's Breakdown and Krishna's Response 08:24 Krishna's Teaching on Duty and Nature 09:46 The Radical Teaching of Spiritual Action 11:23 The Lesson of Utilizing Our Tools 12:42 The Fundamental Shift in Consciousness 14:06 Two Schools of Thought: Traditional vs. Advaita 15:43 Critique of the "I Am God" Philosophy 17:05 Qualitative Oneness vs. Quantitative Difference 18:31 The Complete Whole Principle 21:40 The Appeal of False God-Realization 22:58 Three Aspects of Self-Realization 23:56 The Inevitable Fall from Impersonal Realization 25:37 Three Features of the Absolute Truth 27:30 The Nature of Transcendental Connection 29:40 Comparing Levels of Transcendental Happiness 31:27 Rejection of Blind Faith 32:42 The Problem of Consciousness Filters 33:26 Indescribable Spiritual Delights‎ 34:52 The Importance of Questioning 35:46 Proper vs. Improper Questioning 37:07 The Problem of False Self-Importance 39:32 Three Authorities in Vedic System 41:00 Internal Spiritual Guidance‎ 43:17 Alignment of Spiritual Authorities 45:13 Universal Accessibility of Spiritual Realization 46:19 Divine Assistance for Sincere Seekers 48:05 Recognition of Spiritual Truth 49:30 Encouragement and Final Thoughts 50:35 Kirtan Meditation **************************************

    1h 4m

  7. JAN 22

    #288 2025 in Review - How did we do Spiritually? – Part 1

    Acharya das delivers a comprehensive talk on spiritual life and self-evaluation from the perspective of ancient Vedic traditions and yoga systems. This is the first of 2 talks at the annual New Year’s Soul Searchers Retreat in New Zealand. Acharya das explores a custom many people adopt around the idea of wanting to do better in the new year, often by making New Year’s resolutions. Doing better begins with an examination of how we did the previous year and where to from here. And specifically, how we did spiritually and how to live a more spiritually oriented life. But to ask that question, we need a very clear idea of what ‘spiritual’ means. The talk explores this in a very practical manner.

    1h 14m

  8. JAN 21

    #287 2025 in Review - How did we do Spiritually? - Part 2

    This the second of 2 talks at the annual New Year’s Soul Searchers Retreat in New Zealand. Acharya das explores a custom many people adopt around the idea of wanting to do better in the new year, often by making new year’s resolutions. Doing better begins with an examination of how we did the previous year and where to from here. And specifically, how we did spiritually and how to live a more spiritually oriented life.. But to ask that question, we need a very clear idea of what ‘spiritual’ means. The talk explores this in a very practical manner.

    1h 16m
See All (335)

Trailers

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Become happier, more peaceful and fulfilled through Yoga Wisdom. Gain a new look at life through a more spiritual lens. Acharya Das has taught yoga wisdom to appreciative audiences for over 40 years. He has an uncommonly deep understanding of yoga philosophy and practices, conveying that message in a clear and simple way while encouraging everyone to develop a daily meditation practice.

Information