<![CDATA[Advaita After Hours]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 12 Nov 2026 07:55:55 GMTTue, 02 Sep 2025 05:27:38 GMT60Rajesh RamanathanCasual conversations about how Spirituality and Vedanta impacts our day-to-day livesepisodicRajesh Ramanathanscalpelonpaper@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Upanishads in our life]]>On Vijayadashami, Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan take a ten-thousand-foot tour of the Upanishads. They cover Tat tvam asi, neti neti, the chariot of Katha, the two birds of Mundaka, the five koshas and witness consciousness. They also ask how ritual, practical living and the Bhagavad Gita fit into a lifelong spiritual journey.

]]>8f90bd88-6b1e-47af-84fa-121ac2436889Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:37:47 GMT<p>On Vijayadashami, Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan take a ten-thousand-foot tour of the Upanishads. They cover Tat tvam asi, neti neti, the chariot of Katha, the two birds of Mundaka, the five koshas and witness consciousness. They also ask how ritual, practical living and the Bhagavad Gita fit into a lifelong spiritual journey.</p>no00:55:25Upanishads in our lifefull<![CDATA[Living in the Present]]>Living in the present sounds simple—until worry about tomorrow and regret about yesterday get in the way. Rajesh Ramanathan, Narayanan, and Aishwarya explore how spiritual ideas, meditation, and everyday practice can help us return to the moment. Drawing inspiration from Swami Sarvapriyananda’s banana-peel story and Swami Ramanacharana Tirta’s lecture on creating space for spirituality, they reflect on Navratri, making plans without getting lost in the future, meeting discomfort with awareness, and making rituals meaningful.

]]>12cb3845-6f76-4bbb-af74-a5d1638c5ef7Wed, 14 Oct 2026 04:56:12 GMT<p>Living in the present sounds simple—until worry about tomorrow and regret about yesterday get in the way. Rajesh Ramanathan, Narayanan, and Aishwarya explore how spiritual ideas, meditation, and everyday practice can help us return to the moment. Drawing inspiration from Swami Sarvapriyananda’s banana-peel story and Swami Ramanacharana Tirta’s lecture on creating space for spirituality, they reflect on Navratri, making plans without getting lost in the future, meeting discomfort with awareness, and making rituals meaningful.</p>no00:41:37Living in the Presentfull<![CDATA[Big "I" and Little "i"]]>In this reflective conversation, Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan explore the Vedantic idea of the “little I” and the “big I.” They unpack how ego creates the sense of being the doer, enjoyer, and sufferer—and how recognizing a deeper, shared consciousness can shift the way we respond to life.Through examples from teaching, family frustration, compassion, Rama’s humanity, and the pressure of expectations, they discuss how to live with emotions without becoming bound by them. The episode offers a practical meditation on self-awareness: meeting praise and criticism with steadiness, loosening comparison and validation-seeking, and learning to see actions without reducing people—or ourselves—to labels.

]]>0aa8e51d-da6a-4316-a904-66272901e3dcSun, 11 Oct 2026 00:01:22 GMT<p>In this reflective conversation, Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan explore the Vedantic idea of the <b><strong>“little I” and the “big I.” </strong></b>They unpack how ego creates the sense of being the doer, enjoyer, and sufferer—and how recognizing a deeper, shared consciousness can shift the way we respond to life.Through examples from teaching, family frustration, compassion, Rama’s humanity, and the pressure of expectations, they discuss how to live with emotions without becoming bound by them. The episode offers a practical meditation on self-awareness: meeting praise and criticism with steadiness, loosening comparison and validation-seeking, and learning to see actions without reducing people—or ourselves—to labels.</p>no00:32:21Big "I" and Little "i"full<![CDATA[Why Repeating “I Am Brahman” Can Keep You Stuck in Duality]]>A single joke about “I am Brahman” opens into a practical conversation about Advaita, self-inquiry, and what it means to stop identifying with the wrong things. If you’ve ever repeated spiritual ideas without feeling them land, this discussion explores why that can happen—and what other approaches may help.

]]>26a73280-5519-449f-9268-c777e36b0e9dTue, 06 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT<p>A single joke about “I am Brahman” opens into a practical conversation about Advaita, self-inquiry, and what it means to stop identifying with the wrong things. If you’ve ever repeated spiritual ideas without feeling them land, this discussion explores why that can happen—and what other approaches may help.</p>no00:30:19Why Repeating “I Am Brahman” Can Keep You Stuck in Dualityfull<![CDATA[The Hidden Symbolism in Ganesha, Muruga, and Ayyappa Stories]]>What can Hindu mythology reveal when we look beyond the surface of its stories? This conversation explores the symbolism behind Ganesha’s wisdom, Muruga’s search for knowledge, Ayyappa’s spiritual journey, and Hanuman’s forgotten strength. Along the way, we discuss the value of interpretation, the tension between tradition and changing circumstances, and how stories can become invitations for reflection rather than rules to follow blindly.

]]>75baac63-b34d-41dc-90a5-4e1f5031d4f8Sun, 04 Oct 2026 22:46:32 GMT<p>What can Hindu mythology reveal when we look beyond the surface of its stories? This conversation explores the symbolism behind Ganesha’s wisdom, Muruga’s search for knowledge, Ayyappa’s spiritual journey, and Hanuman’s forgotten strength. Along the way, we discuss the value of interpretation, the tension between tradition and changing circumstances, and how stories can become invitations for reflection rather than rules to follow blindly.</p>no00:30:19The Hidden Symbolism in Ganesha, Muruga, and Ayyappa Storiesfull<![CDATA[God Worship in Advaita Vedanta]]>In this episode, Rajesh and Narayanan discuss whether devotion and Advaita are truly contradictory. Drawing on Swami Sarvapriyananda, they explore how worship, meditation, and the experience of oneness can all be part of the same spiritual journey.

https://youtu.be/5Dk4EIe-qyk?is=5TBdCXYqMpaMQyNh

]]>3c33cf8f-69e7-4549-94d6-2225f161e4f9Sat, 19 Sep 2026 20:27:34 GMT<p>In this episode, Rajesh and Narayanan discuss whether devotion and Advaita are truly contradictory. Drawing on Swami Sarvapriyananda, they explore how worship, meditation, and the experience of oneness can all be part of the same spiritual journey.</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/5Dk4EIe-qyk?is=5TBdCXYqMpaMQyNh" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/5Dk4EIe-qyk?is=5TBdCXYqMpaMQyNh</a></p>no00:34:42God Worship in Advaita Vedantafull<![CDATA[Mayapanchakam]]>Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan unpack Swami Paramatananda’s Maya Panchakam discourse and reveal why this short lecture lands like a complete reset for anyone trying to understand Advaita beyond the usual textbook explanations.

https://www.yogamalika.org/special-occasion-talks/

]]>e4604f25-ad8b-4162-a0bd-ab0290b743c1Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:27:28 GMT<p>Rajesh Ramanathan and Narayanan unpack Swami Paramatananda’s <i>Maya Panchakam</i> discourse and reveal why this short lecture lands like a complete reset for anyone trying to understand Advaita beyond the usual textbook explanations.</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.yogamalika.org/special-occasion-talks/" target="_blank">https://www.yogamalika.org/special-occasion-talks/</a></p>no00:30:38Mayapanchakamfull<![CDATA[Teaching Balvihar - Books to YouTube to AI]]>Teaching isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about creating space for curiosity, dialogue, and growth. From Balvihar to AI, this conversation explores how educators evolve with their students and why human connection still matters most.

]]>34a45c8b-fdfb-4ef2-824f-df79b21e163bMon, 31 Aug 2026 05:21:33 GMT<p><b>Teaching isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about creating space for curiosity, dialogue, and growth. From Balvihar to AI, this conversation explores how educators evolve with their students and why human connection still matters most.</b></p>no00:42:03Teaching Balvihar - Books to YouTube to AIfull<![CDATA[Shiva and Shakti]]>In our conversation, we dive into the profound meanings behind Shiva and Shakti, reflecting on how these archetypical energies guide our personal journeys.

Shiva represents stillness and consciousness, while Shakti embodies dynamism and creation. These dual forces teach us about balance, urging us to integrate both aspects into our lives for holistic growth.

What’s fascinating is how personal experiences shape our understanding of these energies. As we share our stories, we uncover insights that speak to our shared humanity.

Join the discussion and discover your connection to these powerful symbols.

]]>60d995d4-607a-44e6-8b76-27eb1de482a5Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:04:21 GMT<p>In our conversation, we dive into the profound meanings behind Shiva and Shakti, reflecting on how these archetypical energies guide our personal journeys.</p><p>Shiva represents stillness and consciousness, while Shakti embodies dynamism and creation. These dual forces teach us about balance, urging us to integrate both aspects into our lives for holistic growth.</p><p>What’s fascinating is how personal experiences shape our understanding of these energies. As we share our stories, we uncover insights that speak to our shared humanity.</p><p>Join the discussion and discover your connection to these powerful symbols.</p>no00:57:23Shiva and Shaktifull<![CDATA[Meditation]]>Hari Om, I am Rajesh Ramanathan and in today’s conversation, Narayanan and I delve into the multifaceted nature of meditation, exploring its purpose, challenges, and various techniques. We discuss the importance of quieting the mind, the journey of mindfulness, and the role of inquiry and surrender in deepening one's meditative practice. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they highlight the transformative power of meditation in achieving calmness and self-awareness.

]]>8755d620-3bfb-4396-a8b0-94134d3b015dThu, 02 Apr 2026 04:48:54 GMT<p>Hari Om, I am Rajesh Ramanathan and in today’s conversation, Narayanan and I delve into the multifaceted nature of meditation, exploring its purpose, challenges, and various techniques. We discuss the importance of quieting the mind, the journey of mindfulness, and the role of inquiry and surrender in deepening one's meditative practice. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they highlight the transformative power of meditation in achieving calmness and self-awareness.</p>no00:32:09Meditationfull<![CDATA[Seva to Seva Bhava]]>In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Shillika, Gopi, Neha and I reflect on the differences between seva and seva bhava – the importance of intentionality behind an act of seva. We delve into our experiences with bringing seva bhava into our personal and professional lives, and discuss how that has enriched us.

]]>435a608d-cfc4-43f2-a3de-bc767e4bf60aFri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:34 GMT<p>In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Shillika, Gopi, Neha and I reflect on the differences between seva and seva bhava – the importance of intentionality behind an act of seva. We delve into our experiences with bringing seva bhava into our personal and professional lives, and discuss how that has enriched us.</p>no00:41:20Seva to Seva Bhavafull<![CDATA[Seva and Self Discovery]]>In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Shruthi, Arjun, Shillika and I reflect on the concept of Seva (selfless service) and its profound impact on personal growth, self-discovery, and community engagement. Two high school students, Arjun and Shruti, share their experiences and insights on how engaging in service activities has shaped their identities, aspirations, and relationships.

]]>2b23d34f-cbdc-451f-b978-301f815c5348Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:55:09 GMT<p>In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Shruthi, Arjun, Shillika and I reflect on the concept of Seva (selfless service) and its profound impact on personal growth, self-discovery, and community engagement. Two high school students, Arjun and Shruti, share their experiences and insights on how engaging in service activities has shaped their identities, aspirations, and relationships.</p>no00:45:34Seva and Self Discoveryfull<![CDATA[New Year Reflections]]>In this New Year’s conversation, Narayanan, Shillika, Neha and I reflect on our spiritual experiences from last year. We explore the concepts of swadhyaya (self-study) and pravachana (teaching) while emphasizing the significance of recognizing the divine in everyday life.

]]>2d531346-e14a-4ddd-9c32-8a83de3c0da3Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:27:46 GMT<p>In this New Year’s conversation, Narayanan, Shillika, Neha and I reflect on our spiritual experiences from last year. We explore the concepts of swadhyaya (self-study) and pravachana (teaching) while emphasizing the significance of recognizing the divine in everyday life.</p>no00:55:29New Year Reflectionsfull<![CDATA[Thanksgiving: Gratitude and Food]]>In today’s Post-Thanksgiving conversation, Narayanan and I reflect on saying thank you and living a life of gratitude. We discuss the role of food in our lives and dwell upon the meaning of three common slokas that are said before eating  –Brahmarpanam, Aham Vaishwanaro Bhutva and Annapurne Sadapurne.

]]>5166e5d5-1ea3-4998-a129-5cde54acd45bSun, 30 Nov 2025 21:58:01 GMT<p>In today’s Post-Thanksgiving conversation, Narayanan and I reflect on saying thank you and living a life of gratitude. We discuss the role of food in our lives and dwell upon the meaning of three common slokas that are said before eating  –Brahmarpanam, Aham Vaishwanaro Bhutva and Annapurne Sadapurne.</p>no00:42:51Thanksgiving: Gratitude and Foodfull<![CDATA[Saranagati, surrender and unconditional love]]>Narayanan, Shillika and I reflect on the concept of Saranagati or surrender in the modern context. We talk about the relationship between surrender, ego and unconditional love.

]]>01ec71f7-7ec9-4451-a127-a82a01e2e337Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:46:26 GMT<p>Narayanan, Shillika and I reflect on the concept of Saranagati or surrender in the modern context. We talk about the relationship between surrender, ego and unconditional love.</p>no00:46:51Saranagati, surrender and unconditional lovefull<![CDATA[Hanuman and Surrender]]>Hari Om, I am Rajesh and in today’s conversation, Narayanan, Gopi, Shillika and I reflect on a discourse by Swami Aparajitananda on the Sunderkand. We explore the lessons we can learn from Hanumanji around Bhakti (devotion), Jnanam (true knowledge) and Surrender.

]]>8b4371e4-a994-45fe-9cac-96f21e826fefSun, 23 Nov 2025 02:29:00 GMT<p>Hari Om, I am Rajesh and in today’s conversation, Narayanan, Gopi, Shillika and I reflect on a discourse by Swami Aparajitananda on the Sunderkand. We explore the lessons we can learn from Hanumanji around Bhakti (devotion), Jnanam (true knowledge) and Surrender.</p>no00:56:497Hanuman and Surrenderfull<![CDATA[Ego and Leadership]]>In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Kailash and I delve into the themes of ego and leadership. We explore the role of ego in decision-making, the importance of servant leadership, and the challenges of navigating promotions and raises. The discussion emphasizes the need for gratitude, acceptance, and finding meaning beyond external validation in one's career. Ultimately, we advocate for a leadership style that prioritizes the success of the team and the greater good over individual ego.

]]>02593eaf-bd02-461d-8962-5f2cae5d1421Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:03:45 GMT<p>In today’s conversation, Narayanan, Kailash and I delve into the themes of ego and leadership. We explore the role of ego in decision-making, the importance of servant leadership, and the challenges of navigating promotions and raises. The discussion emphasizes the need for gratitude, acceptance, and finding meaning beyond external validation in one's career. Ultimately, we advocate for a leadership style that prioritizes the success of the team and the greater good over individual ego.</p>no00:54:26Ego and Leadershipfull<![CDATA[Ego and Non-Doership at Work]]>In today’s conversation, Narayanan and I delve into the concept of non-doership and its practical application in daily life. We explore the balance between personal agency and the acceptance of outcomes, discussing how to navigate success and failure without becoming overly attached to either. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of intention behind actions and how reframing motivations can lead to a more fulfilling and less ego-driven life.

]]>1a0e133d-6f19-417a-8582-384b66bc9cd0Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:50:16 GMT<p>In today’s conversation, Narayanan and I delve into the concept of non-doership and its practical application in daily life. We explore the balance between personal agency and the acceptance of outcomes, discussing how to navigate success and failure without becoming overly attached to either. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of intention behind actions and how reframing motivations can lead to a more fulfilling and less ego-driven life.</p>no00:41:40Ego and Non-Doership at Workfull<![CDATA[Unseen Gurus in Nature and Beyond]]>In this episode, we explore the unseen gurus that play a transformative role in our personal growth. We discuss how nature, children, and everyday experiences serve as unseen gurus, providing valuable lessons about selflessness, mindfulness, and emotional awareness.

]]>81098fea-7167-4d93-88fd-d89498c64021Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:51:04 GMT<p>In this episode, we explore the unseen gurus that play a transformative role in our personal growth. We discuss how nature, children, and everyday experiences serve as unseen gurus, providing valuable lessons about selflessness, mindfulness, and emotional awareness.</p>no00:52:38Unseen Gurus in Nature and Beyondfull<![CDATA[What is a Guru all about?]]>What's the difference between a Guru and Teacher? What are the qualifications to be a Guru? What do we need to bring to the table as a Shishya (student)? How do spiritual groups fit into the modern search for a Guru? Join us to hear more.

]]>24c9571e-8021-41b5-b14c-575a859fce18Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:20:31 GMT<p>What's the difference between a Guru and Teacher? What are the qualifications to be a Guru? What do we need to bring to the table as a Shishya (student)? How do spiritual groups fit into the modern search for a Guru? Join us to hear more.</p><p></p><p></p>no00:41:28What is a Guru all about?full<![CDATA[Expressions of Bhakti]]>In this episode, Shillika, Narayanan and Rajesh discuss their personal expression of Bhakti and the factors that have influenced them. The conversation delves into the essence of bhakti, exploring how it manifests within individuals and how personal experiences shape one's connection to the divine. Through shared childhood memories, stories of grace, and the importance of recognizing divine presence in everyday life, they emphasize the significance of openness and receptivity in fostering a relationship with God.

]]>edb39d99-18c5-4c71-a8d2-31b63780d042Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:56:26 GMT<p>In this episode, Shillika, Narayanan and Rajesh discuss their personal expression of Bhakti and the factors that have influenced them. The conversation delves into the essence of bhakti, exploring how it manifests within individuals and how personal experiences shape one's connection to the divine. Through shared childhood memories, stories of grace, and the importance of recognizing divine presence in everyday life, they emphasize the significance of openness and receptivity in fostering a relationship with God. </p>no00:43:06Expressions of Bhaktifull<![CDATA[Bhakti Optional?]]>In this episode, we explore the concept of Bhakti, its significance in personal spirituality, and how it can be integrated into daily life. We discuss the various paths to understanding God, including Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti, and the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with the divine.

We explore vexing questions such as:

Where does and where should Bhakti fit into daily life priorities and spiritual priorities?

During our regular day, how do we remember and find God? How do we reconcile that God is within us, but also worship and love our Ishta Devatas?

And finally, how do we cultivate raw love for God and understand His miracles?

]]>4b8ab89e-b802-4f03-a6bc-fac9ec57a0f3Tue, 02 Sep 2025 05:29:05 GMT<p>In this episode, we explore the concept of Bhakti, its significance in personal spirituality, and how it can be integrated into daily life. We discuss the various paths to understanding God, including Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti, and the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with the divine.</p><p></p><p>We explore vexing questions such as:</p><p>Where does and where should Bhakti fit into daily life priorities and spiritual priorities?</p><p>During our regular day, how do we remember and find God? How do we reconcile that God is within us, but also worship and love our Ishta Devatas?</p><p>And finally, how do we cultivate raw love for God and understand His miracles?</p>no00:44:24Bhakti Optional?full