Spiritual Reflections - Dr. Shashank Shah: Recent Episodes
Shashank Shah Podcast
DR. SHASHANK SHAH can be described as a Jignasu, on a quest for knowledge about the worlds within and without. His spiritual ideals are an amalgamation of the finest traditions of India - Jainism and the path of Karma, Pushti Marg Vaishnavism and the path of Bhakti, and Advaita Vedanta and the path of Jnana. Over 15 years, he has edited 30+ books on Indian Culture and Spirituality. On 200+ occasions in 50+ cities globally, he has addressed gatherings on diverse themes connected with Spirituality for Life and Living, Indian Philosophy and Scriptures, Human Values, Youth and Service to Society.
A billion Indians celebrate the festival of Navaratri and venerate the Divine Mother in a variety of ways, ritually and spiritually. But rarely do we reflect on the message of this very popular festival. During the Navaratri Festival, the Dandiya programme is conducted. It is immensely popular in the state of Gujarat, and several cities across the world. But what does this festival teach us about our personal, social, and spiritual lives?
This podcast answers these questions with practical examples. It also underscores the use of our Skills for our Spiritual Progress.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Austin, Texas, USA
Devotional singing or singing of Bhajans is a core part of Indian culture and religious practices. What are the different ways in which these Keertanas/Bhajans are sung? How should we sing Bhajans? What are the examples we can learn from the lives of greate devotees like Bhadrachala Ramadas or Thyagaraja?
This podcast reflects on answers to these questions with examples from their lives.
The Upanishads are the distilled essence of the highest wisdom of the Vedas. They provide the most nuanced insights about the highest truths and the supreme pursuits of humanity through anecdotes and allegories, stories and parables. This is one such story of two birds from the Mundaka Upanishad that conveys the secret to permanent happiness, that we all aspire for.
We are often told that Devotion or Bhakti is the surest path of gaining favours from God by winning His grace. Is it true? How can we do that? What kind of devotional practises do we need to imbibe in order to progress spiritually? What are the two types of devotion?
This podcast explores these aspects based on insights from Vedas and Vedanta.
Bharatiya Culture divides a complete life of 100 years into four stages. What are these stages? What is their significance? How can we benefit in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives by practising the principles identified for each of those phases? Is there a parallel to these four stages in contemporary times?
This podcast explores these themes with examples from Vedanta.
Each of us prays to God for something. We ask from Divinity anything and everything that we consider valuable for ourselves, and our near and dear ones. But what is it that we should actually ask from God?
This podcast provides the answer through a very insightful story that will help pray to Divinity in the correct manner.
Our convictions about the finer values of human life like honesty, compassion, tolerance and faith are usually very instrumental and relative. We are willing to practices those values only if we can get some direct benefits from them.
This short podcast shares an interesting story that highlights the power of speaking the Truth. Hopefully it will inspire the viewers to 'Experiment' the Power of Truth in their lives...
Lord Dakshinamurthy is known for imparting the ultimate wisdom through Supreme Silence. In this video, a symbolic conversation between Him and the Ocean has been used to communicate a very important lesson on Mother Nature which has personal, environmental and spiritual benefits.
The second half of the podcast has a humorous story of the relationship between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law that serves as a reminder for those making ritualistic offerings without the right intentions.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at California, USA
Shri Adi Shankaracharya is among the most venerated spiritual luminaries of India. Not only did he contribute phenomenally to the spread of the Vedic Message, he also established the four Maths (monasteries) in four corners of India, which continue to function till date, nearly 1200+ years later. As the proponent of Advaita (Non-Dualism) Vedanta, he synthesized the essential message of diverse streams of Hindu philosophy and awakened the masses to a more spiritual and God-centered life. And all this he contributed within a short life span of 32 years.
This podcast briefly captures his message on Human Life and its significance.
This story from Shrimad Bhagavatam is very popular across India. It forms the basis of the festival of Onam celebrated in the Indian State of Kerala. However, beyond the fascinating details of the actual story, there is deep spiritual symbolism in it. How can spiritual seekers benefit from it?
This podcast reflects on what a spiritual seeker can learn from Mahabali.
We all wish to progress in our Spiritual Journey. For this, the Divine Message can immensely help us in varied ways.
This podcast reflects on this theme through a humorous anecdote and an insightful story.
Arjuna is considered the best friend of Krishna. Was that the reason for Lord Krishna giving Arjuna the Message of the Bhagavad Gita? Why not to Yudhisthira who is considered the very embodiment of Dharma? Why not to Bheema who was equally valorous? Why did Arjuna receive the Bhagavad Gita? Was Lord Krishna partial to him?
This podcast reflects on five reasons why Arjuna received the Bhagavad Gita and not any other Pandava.
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the holiest texts in the world. It is revered by the Hindus as the 'Word of God'. It is the Divine Message given by Lord Krishna to His devotee Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra over 5,000 years ago.
This podcast explores the core message of the Gita on Duty. How should we, as human beings, discharge our duty?
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA
India, that is, Bharat isn't just a nation that gained political independence in 1947 and became a sovereign republic in 1950. It is a cultural-spiritual identity that is a living ecosystem and a thriving civilisation for several millennia. What has contributed to its existence as the only living ancient civilisation? What has enabled its socioeconomic resilience despite colonisation by diverse force for nearly 1,000 years? What has facilitated a coexisting diversity of world religions for nearly 2,000 years? What has contributed to its pioneering scientific achievements and philosophical depth from over 2,500 years? What has led to its phenomenal rise to becoming the top 5 nations in the world today despite problems galore?
This podcast explores all these diverse aspects of Bharat, and introduces this great nation to its own people and those from other lands...
Indian Scriptures talk about hundreds and thousands of deities. Indian Culture has occasions to celebrate the Message and Glory of each of them. However, behind this multiplicity and pluralism, there is loads of spiritual symbolism. This podcast decodes some of this symbolism with specific examples.
India is the home to the most ancient universities in the world. Some of them date back to the BC years and had influenced scholars from across the globe. What was their uniqueness? What was the contribution of some of the finest spiritual leaders of India to Education? Why haven't we been able to benefit from their contributions? What are the problems with the current education system?
This podcast attempts to reflect on some of these questions.
Among all the senses that humans are endowed with, the tongue is considered the most powerful. This is because it is the only sense organ with dual powers - the power of speaking and the power of tasting. This is also the reason why it is prone to more mistakes.
This podcast tells us about the four sins that the tongue often induslges in. It also reflects at ways in which these sins can be avoided for good.
Despite all luxuries and comforts, entertainment and enjoyments, family and friends, possessions and prestige, we struggle to be Happy and Peaceful. Most complain of Mental Problems. Some others are unable to look beyond themselves as they are consumed with Ego about their achievements and success. Is there a solution to these problems?
This podcast attempts to provide spiritual solutions to Ego and Mental Problems.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Texas, USA
Truth and Anger sound like antonyms, isn't it? But often, we get angry when people speak lies and deceive us. On occasions, we get angry while speaking the truth to express our displeasure about someone's behaviour or actions. How can we balance the two?
This podcast attempts to elaborate on these.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Texas, USA
We all take our life for granted. We take all the precious gifts we have received in this life for granted. Consequently, we continue to live our mundane existence without a sense of purpose. But there is much more to life than Eat, Drink, Sleep, Make Merry, and Die one day.
Human life is most valuable and should be used in the best way possible. Why is it so? What can be achieved? How can it be achieved? This podcast reflects on these questions and answers them through the use of parables.
We all pray. But how often do we focus on our feelings and intentions while praying to our chosen form of God.
With examples from the life of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Gautam Buddha, this podcast elaborates on the importance of our feelings while praying.
It is said, 'If you can control your tongue, you can control everything else'. Why is it said so? It is because among all the sense organs, the tongue is most important. Why is it so?
To know the answer through a humorous story, and to learn the Do's and Don'ts that the Tongue teaches for our personal, professional and spiritual well-being, listen to this podcast.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Florida, USA
The summer solstice day is observed by the United Nations as International Yoga Day. The science of Yoga owes its origin to Sage Patanjali dating back several thousands of years. In contemporary times, the practice of Yoga is limited to various Asanas or physical exercises. But the philosophy of Yoga has 8 steps which constitute the totality of its spiritual purpose of experiencing the highest.
This podcast elaborates the eight steps of Yoga and their spiritual message.
The human mind is one of the most powerful instruments that a human being is gifted with. One needs to know how it functions, so that it can be mastered for effective and efficient use.
This podcast explores the algorithm that can be successfully used for successful Mind Management.
Does the company we keep have any impact on our spiritual progress? If yes, what is the impact? How can we keep 'good company' at all times while working in diverse situations - personal, social and professional?
This podcast attempts to answer these questions through anecdotes and humorous stories.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Florida, USA
Lord Hanuman is venerated as the greatest devotee of Lord Rama. His service to Lord Rama as elaborated in the great Indian epic Ramayana is one without a parallel.
What can we learn from Hanuman's devotion? What lessons does his life teach us?
The search for Truth or search for God is at the core of every spiritual pursuit. We have always been told that God resides in Heaven and that we will see 'Him' after death. Some say, He is in Vaikuntha - the abode of Lord Vishnu. Others say, He is in Kailash - the abode of Lord Shiva. Vedanta (the essence of the Upanishads) says - God is neither Distant nor Distinct from us.
This podcast reflects on this oxymoronic statement.
We are constantly searching for joy in every activity, in every relationship, in every phase of our life. Somehow, we don't find permanent joy in any of these. What we get is frittering moments of pleasure. Then where and how can we get Permanent Joy in this World?
Listen to this podcast to know the answer.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Seattle, USA
You may never have heard this story of Krishna. It has a very useful message for all devotees and spiritual aspirants. If we understand this one message that this story attempts to convey, all the fights over differences and distinctions about God and His true form will vanish.
In our quest for achieving Success, we are often confounded between whether we should focus on our actions or the results. The world prods us to be results oriented, whereas Spirituality encourages commitment to actions. Which of these approaches is better?
This podcast attempts to provide answers to some of this question with insights from the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at California, USA
Often the word 'detachment' or 'Vairagya' is misunderstood and misused in personal, professional and spiritual contexts. Some assume it to mean inaction. Others assume it to be a kind of renunciation. Consequently, we act in foolish ways in the name of 'detachment'.
However, true detachment requires none of this. And it can be practiced in daily life with much ease. Through a hilarious story, the practice of detachment has been explored in this podcast.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Texas, USA
The YOLO Movement - You Only Live Once, is becoming increasingly popular among youth across nations. They believe that we have only one life, we live only once, hence we should make the most of this one life. In that case, how should we live. What does making the most of this precious life mean?
This podcast reflects on these questions and provides some insights...
Every spiritual seeker aspires for a Mantra that will help them in their spiritual progress. This podcast too gives one such Mantra that would be useful to all in their spiritual journey. However, this Mantra isn't related to a specific form of God or to any particular religion. Then what is it?
Listen to the podcast for a humorous story with a truly insightful message and the Mantra.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Florida, USA
We all want to please God and gain His grace and blessings. Often, we resort to 'shortcuts' for this purpose. But does that help?
This podcast elaborates on this using scriptural insights and a humorous anecdote.
Source: Excerpt from a talk delivered at Texas, USA