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As spiritual seekers, it is very common to explore the many options available in the buffet of practices - mantras, yoga styles, different traditions and even religions. When we learn - we grow. And inaction, we may become complacent. But how do we know in this process of exploration and seeking, we aren't just digging a bunch of holes but won't find the water? In other words, while exploration and learning is suggested in spiritual seeking so is sticking to a practice and diving deep into it. How do we find the right balance as beginners on the path of self development? Parvathy Baul, the renowned teacher and guru in the Baul tradition, speaks on this deep-dive introspective journey. She speaks on her own mystical experience as a Baul, the role of music and guru in Baul and the balance between liberty and relentless practice within her tradition. She also sings for us! Check out this reflective episode. Subscribe to The Philosophy of Now and the ROOTS Movement for more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through the course of our lives, we take on so many roles, desires, activities, friend circles, cultures and traditions. Unknowingly, we are accumulating identities. Amidst all of that, how do we stay grounded in who we are? In fact, is it okay to have so many facets and identities. Born in India and raised in California, renowned musician and popular singer Sid Sriram breaks down how his multicultural identity actually became his superpower. Moreover, he explains how music, both Indian classical and Jazz, became part of his soul growing up both Indian and American! How do we learn from his experience? And how does embracing this multiplicity and hybrid identity through art, creativity and intuition actually help us tap in to the our more uniting, singular spiritual Self - let's dive into this reflective episode! Let's learn and introspect...together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our journey as seekers of development, progress, higher purpose or happiness, we are often told to be life-long students. But how do we TRULY practice this? How do we turn every mundane activity into an opportunity for spiritual practice? Is this realistic for beginners or isn't this just meant for highly-elevated human-beings? It's certainly easier said than done. But today we dissect and introspect on how we can become life-long learners. Our guest today is Yogi Trivedi, a scholar, journalist, author and musician. Yes, a multitude of things! But in each, he speaks on how his spiritual practice, devotional mindset and ambition help him remain a student at HEART. Let's learn and reflect...together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's set the scene - you are the epic warrior of the Mahabharata, Arjuna, distraught on the battlefield. Unable to decide- to fight or not to fight? The classic Hamlet: to be or not to be? What is the right side? In our own day-to-day lives, we experience similar hurdles of the right thing to do vs the thing you wanna do. Or sometimes what is expected of you vs the right thing to do? How do we navigate these hurdles of passion, duty and desire. How do we dissect our intentions on our paths towards spiritual development. In this sanctuary of The Philosophy of Now, we are all seekers. And as we reflect together, we certainly want to go on this narrative journey of asking this deeply introspective question. To kick off Season 5 of The Philosophy of Now, we speak with the renowned speaker, Sanskrit scholar and bestselling author of The Mahabharata Unravelled 1 and 2, Ami Ganatra. She helps us break down this very question - how do we know our intentions are righteous, or on the side of Dharma? How do we know we are acting out of duty and not desire? Through her expertise and analysis of The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, Ami Ganatra guides us through our own story and a reflective journey to finding our own answers - Together. Listen to the full episode! Ami Ganatra's latest book, Why Are We This Way: A Guide to Hindu Shastras is available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Season 5 of The Philosophy of Now podcast! This season we will take us all on a journey of contemplation, community and meditation - but through a unique path. Along with our deep conversations with some of the most inspiring and renowned minds, leaders, artists and thinkers, we will also be taking us all on a story of deep reflection. Through storytelling, moments of contemplation and of course the interview, we will be trying to dissect some of the most introspective and philosophical questions that comes as hurdles for all seekers on the spiritual path of life! What is our dharma? Is curiosity always good for us? Why do we search for meaning in life? What does it mean to critically examine our belief systems? With our guests, we will seek to find the answers to these important questions and find the philosophy of now that can guide us this season. So join us in this season of seeking and reflection - together! Tune in to the Philosophy of Now on Thursdays Subscribe to The Philosophy of Now YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePhilosophyofNow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's consistent contemplation episode, we discuss the essence and themes of the Holiday season! What should we be reflecting on during this joyful season? And how can we deepen our experience and journey WITHIN? Let's take a look and introspect together. New episodes COMING SOON - STAY TUNED! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we look back at the Thanksgiving season, we reflect on what we learned, the beauty of gratitude and meditating on the joys and world we have to be happy for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this month's Consistent Contemplation, we reflect on a simple yet deeply insightful quote by the great educator and thinker, Maxine Greene: "I am what I am not yet." We dive into how that quote relates into our lives, in how we see the world around us and ultimately we meditate upon it throw a guided mindfulness session. As always, The Philosophy of Now is a medium - a community for us all to look within...TOGETHER. A new season is coming out soon with more wonderful conversations and guests - STAY TUNED! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's revisit our phenomenal conversation with the renowned quantum physicist, Dr. Fritjof Capra - from Season 2 of the show! We dive into how spirituality and yoga philosophy helped understand the universe better, how he wrote the 'Tao of Physics,' and where he sees the two worlds of science and spirituality truly merging. Let's learn and reflect together! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's revisit our deeply insightful and introspective journey with Acharya Prashant, a renowned scholar, teacher and best-selling author of Vedanta philosophy and Hinduism. We learn about the Bhagavad Gita's insights, how to rigorously get to the core of our being and what it means to SEEK. Let's listen and learn together! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to our latest consistent contemplation episode! The summer is ending soon and we've all had our fair share of socializing and busy weeks and weekends. How do we bring attention to ourselves and our wellbeing? Is it ok to want to be alone? What does it mean to have a fulfilled indifference? Let's reflect and meditate together on this journey WITHIN... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we revisit the episode with Sri M, the yogic master and founder of the Satsang Foundation. He speaks on the essence of yoga and how we can follow this DEEP philosophical tradition in the modern times - even if you're an atheist! Sri M speaks on what success means to him and the spirit of spirituality that the modern youth should have. He also speaks on how we can assess the right gurus and what kind of moral compass to keep in our day to day lives, trying to be selfless. Let's revisit this amazing conversation from Season 2 - during this summer break of reflections and introspection! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Consistent Contemplation, we explore the practice of writing. Yes - literally writing with a physical pen and notepad or journal. We often disregard the act of sitting in our full presence and writing down our observations, reflections, and thoughts. This may be out of the bustle of doing it for daily tasks, fear, or even laziness, but the act itself is freeing. Let's find out how together! We begin the episode by sharing a few insights from previous video episodes we have been releasing. Thereafter, we explore the value of recognizing our presence by engaging in a guided practice within the nature and environment around us. Stay tuned, as throughout the summer, we have been releasing previous episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePhilosophyofNow. Join us, as we reflect and meditate together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Consistent Contemplation, we explore the meaning of the word, 'Essence'. We use that word lightly to mean so many things, but by definition, it allows us to consider something's nature. This episode is an inspired practice from the last few episodes. In fact, it is an extrapolation of our LIVE event with Swami Sarvapriyananda! Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJBgUmYk1cs Before we begin a new season, we bring to you our reflections and a practice from the previous season of guests. We begin by highlighting the event and learnings from that discussion. Secondly, we discuss our thoughts on the 'essence of things' and how this attachment can often cause our anxiety. We do a practice together exploring the nature of things in front of us - literally. We conclude the episode by previewing the summer! Join us as we reflect and meditate together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we present to you a special recording of our first LIVE event! This is the second part of two. Check out the FULL Episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJBgUmYk1cs Subscribe to the podcast HERE: https://lnk.to/thephilosophyofnow-swami-sarvapriyananda In Midtown Manhattan on June 5th, we had as our guest the incredible Swami Sarvapriyananda. Along with an interview, we led a reflection practice with our in-person and stream audience! Enjoy, reflect, and contemplate with this episode - Part 2 of 2. In this part, we present to you the guided meditation & Q&A led by Swamiji himself. At the beginning of the event, he led us in a 10-min meditation as we contemplated the notion of limited and unlimited Self. Following that, he engaged some amazing questions from the in-person audience and offered his insights. He provided guidance on improving our daily inquiry and contemplative practice NOW! Swamiji is a monk in the Ramakrishna Order and the head monk of the Vedanta Society of NY, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to this, he served at the Hollywood mission and in India at the Belur Math. He is recognized internationally as one of the most prominent teachers and philosophers of Vedanta, particularly as it engages with modern science, psychology, and consciousness studies. In fact, his two recent books ‘Mahavakya: Essence of Vedanta’ & ‘Fullness & Emptiness’ are explications of his profound teachings. They are written evidence of his ability to teach these seemingly esoteric concepts with ease, depth, and reliability to any seeker in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.