Nididhyaasanam (Kathopanishad Meditations)

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The book that you now hold in your hands, is the distilled essence of Swami Tattvavidananda Ji's lifetime's worth of meditative experience, acquired through a rigorous study of Vedanta coupled with intense reflections on it. Anybody exposed to Swamiji's classes can readily vouch for the fact that the wisdom that gushes forth from his heart is the most powerful antidote to the poison called ignorance/samsara. And the meditations presented herein, as are the guided meditations that Swamiji usually conducts, are valuable 2901 supplements that augment the efficacy of the antidote.

Often, we students of Vedanta convert the study of Vedanta into an "intellectual pursuit". This expression may be cliched, but is certainly not emphasised enough. Even to the sincerest of students, the understanding obtained through the study of the various books of Vedanta may but be like the joy of untangling a complex net. A student might want to seek all the answers to the questions he has, like even an engineer wants to know a machine to its last nut and bolt. In having such an orientation towards Vedanta, much of the original vivacity that Vedanta promises, is lost.

The study of Vedanta culminates not by knowing all the topics that need to be known, but by actualising its teaching and translating it into our daily life. The Shruti clearly states that we should couple our study of Vedanta (śravaṇam) with reflection (mananam) and meditation (nididhyāsanam). It is in this actualisation, brought about by reflection and meditation, that the present book helps.

Swamiji's guided meditation sessions, with the theme 'Look at yourself,' serve as an optimistic beginning for the day and particularly powerful. Swamiji repeatedly guides us towards being deeply aware of ourselves and to abide in the peace all round. Swamiji walks with us, steering us patiently along the path to meditation pointing out the pot holes and pitfalls one could encounter along the way. The journey is indeed inspiring.

The first meditation session starts; Swamiji's voice comes on, "Look at yourself." And then? Silence, utter-silence. No, it is not Swamiji pausing. My mind is stunned to silence. I have heard of look at the mind, look at the body, etc. but look at yourself! No. So mind is baffled and doesn't know what to do with it; in which slot to deposit it. So it gropes and falls silent as if accepting defeat. For a moment it is as though the mind vanished. What is this 'look at yourself'? Eyes are closed but still I am looking at myself. How? No, Swamiji could not have cast a spell. Answer comes through the speaker, cakṣuşaścakṣuḥ, eye of the eye. 'I am aware of the inner eye by which I am looking at myself.'

But, what is this looking at myself? What will I experience when I look at myself? Swamiji says, "As I look at myself, I experience myself as the pure being. That is how I sense myself, commune with myself as 'I am,' ahamasmi

**Contents and Sample Pages**