Reflections Along The Way

Follow Reflections Along The Way
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Our life is a series of experiences from which we evolve and grow as a person. Welcome to the podcast channel where Neelima shares her reflections and learnings along her life’s journey from her varied experiences as a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, engineer, entrepreneur, artist, author, lifelong learner and a seeker.

Neelima Polam

Donate to Reflections Along The Way


    • Oct 4, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 54 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Reflections Along The Way with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Reflections Along The Way

    Self-Unfoldment #42: Vedanta

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2022 15:57


    What is Vedanta? Where did the knowledge of Vedanta originate from? What is the goal of Vedanta?Reflections are based on a section from Lesson 15 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.The 108 Vedantic Terms book is available on Amazon for your spiritual sādhanā to reflect on 108 significant Vedantic terms chosen from the Self-Unfoldment book. All the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Chinmaya Mission© Washington Regional Center. Support the show

    Importance of Inner Work

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 40:32


    In this episode, I have a conversation with Apoorva Gupta Jalan to discuss the importance of inner work and how yoga facilitates this work.Apoorva is a yoga therapist, coach, and healer living in Gurgaon, India with her husband and their beagle. She is passionate about helping people and offers a wide range of programs including personalized classes, pranayama workshops, yoga philosophy courses, corporate training programs, and workshops.Please email Apoorva at apoorva@inbreath.in, if you are interested to know more about the programs/classes she offers.Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/neelimapolam)

    Self-Unfoldment #41: Macrocosm

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 12:15


    What constitutes the cosmos or the macrocosm? What is the concept of the God-principle? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 14 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=QZ4UWDAN5WMMY)

    Self-Unfoldment #40: Three States and Transcending Bodies

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 10:52


    What are the three states that we experience? How do we transcend the three bodies and experience the pure nature of Self as different from the three states?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 14 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=QZ4UWDAN5WMMY)

    Self-Unfoldment #39: Three Bodies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2021 10:24


    The five sheaths that we discussed in Self-Unfoldment #38 episode, can also be classified as three bodies which envelope the Self. Reflections based on a section from Lesson 14 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=QZ4UWDAN5WMMY)

    Importance of Holistic Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 37:31


    In this episode, I have a conversation with Vivekji (Vivek Gupta) about the importance of holistic education to be successful in any field. Vivekji is a spiritual teacher and public speaker with Chinmaya Mission, an international non-profit organization working to transform individuals through the knowledge of Vedanta. In this dialogue, he shares how Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (also referred to as Chinmaya University) is built on four pillars - Purity, Spirituality, Practicality and Innovation, to provide well-rounded education without any barriers.Now, we all have an amazing opportunity to be a part of Chinmaya university. There is a crowdfunding campaign happening across North America till October 15, 2021. You can help to provide scholarships for students from less privileged backgrounds; to build a state of the art institution; to spread awareness by sharing this information with your friends and family. Please visit any of the links below to learn more and to join us in supporting this great cause. Vivekji's Campaign Page - https://cef.raisely.com/vivek-guptaNeelima's Campaign Page - https://cef.raisely.com/neelima-polamMain Campaign Page - https://cef.raisely.comTogether, we can make a huge difference!Support the show (https://bluishmuse.com/support)

    Self-Unfoldment #38: Sheaths

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2021 22:02


    As we progress in our spiritual life we understand where this world has come from, how the world is functioning, etc. Then we start wondering how our body is functioning and continue probing into the subtler realms as we start looking more within. What are the different layers or sheaths that veil the Self? What is the goal of life?Reflections based on Lesson 12 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://bluishmuse.com/support)

    Self-Unfoldment #37: Gunas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 17:20


    What is it that makes human beings so different? What are gunas? What is the difference between the three gunas? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 11 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://bluishmuse.com/support)

    Conversation with David Jairaj: Handling Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 36:46


    In this episode, my friend David and I catch up to reflect on how spirituality helps us handle the chaos within and in the world, amongst other topics. David Jairaj, currently living in Hyderabad (India) is a fellow seeker and a long time friend. Most importantly I see him as my first Spiritual Guru who guided and helped me get started in this journey of Self-Exploration and Self-Unfoldment about a decade ago.  Support the show (https://bluishmuse.com/supportpodcast)

    Self-Unfoldment #36: A Path for Everyone

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2021 7:17


    Does Vedanta prescribe a path for everyone with different personalities to exhaust their vasanas?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 11 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Conversation with Nikhil Acharya: Being Creative

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2021 61:34


    In this episode, Nikhil and I explore what creativity means to us. Nikhil shares his insights on a range of topics from the process of creating, what drives him, how collaboration is important and how he relates creativity to happiness, amongst other enriching thoughts.Nikhil Acharya does Strategy at Just So, an award winning creative studio in London. Before London, he’s lived in the Bay Area and Hyderabad. Pre Covid, he rowed on the Thames to escape his demons.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment #35: Karma Yoga & Fruits of Action

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 13:50


    What is Karma Yoga? What attitude should we have while working? And how do we control our sense organs? What is the secret prescription for work of high inspiration?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 11 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment #34: Ego-centered Actions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2021 12:35


    What creates our life? When and how are our vasanas created? How do we exhaust these vasanas to experience the higher level of consciousness?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 11 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Conversation With My Daughter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2021 46:25


    I cherish the relationship I have with my daughter. It came with its own challenges at times but along the way we figured out how to use those challenges to enrich our relationship. This is a conversation I had with my daughter reflecting on the relationship we share.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment #33: Creating the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2020 9:59


    What is future? Is it some kind of mystery? How does the understanding of Law of Karma help us with our daily living?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 10 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment #32: Cause and Effect

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 6:47


    This is in continuation of the previous episode to understand the Law of Karma better. How can self-effort at the present moment change our future?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 10 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment #31: The Law of Karma

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 18:19


    Are we victims of our vasanas (innate urges)? How can we successfully eradicate our vasanas and transform our lives?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 10 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 30. Inner and Outer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2020 6:01


    What is the relationship between the Inner and the Outer? What is the significance of rituals? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 9 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 29. Looking Within

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 7:51


    How to cultivate the habit of looking within and how to practice daily introspection to rehabilitate our personality so that we can grow steadily to become happy, free and successful?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 9 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 28. The Nature of the Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 7:36


    Thoughts and mind are related but thoughts alone is not the mind. When does the mind exist? What determines whether the mind is good or bad? What is the difference between mind and intellect? How to cultivate habits to train the mind to be good?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 9 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 27. Right Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2020 9:35


    How is it that we all perceive the world differently? As our mind, so is the world. Reflections based on a section from Lesson 9 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 26. Experiencing the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 10:34


    What constitutes our field of experiences? Why is it important to look into our inner-selves to lead a harmonious life as we interact with the world? How do we integrate all aspects of our personality to experience the world in a more joyous way?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 9 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 25. The Joy of an Artisan

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 8:46


    How do we work in an inspired manner? How do we channel our energy to work in a way that gives us fulfillment and joy?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 8 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment. 24: Conserving Energy

    Play Episode Play 55 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 9:35


    How do the energy leakages happen? What are the three reasons for energy to leak? How do we focus on what we are doing right now without regrets, anxieties and excitements?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 8 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 23. Efficiency: Dexterity in Action

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 8, 2020 11:41


    Why can a person still be a failure even by practicing the values Truthfulness, Self-Control and Non-injury? What is this efficiency without which we cannot develop our talents and use them in our actions?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 8 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 22. Ahimsa (Non-injury)

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 4, 2020 7:33


    What is Ahimsa? Why is a person sometimes a failure in spite of having the willpower/courage to live up to one's convictions and why are we not able to conserve energy sometimes in spite of practicing self-control?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 7 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 21. Brahmacarya (Self-control)

    Play Episode Play 58 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 11:48


    What is Brahmacarya? How to not let our energies get dissipated in a way that we cannot live up to our convictions? Why is it important to practice self-control? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 7 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 20. Satyam (Truthfulness)

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 17, 2020 10:28


    What is Satyam? Why is it so important to live up to our convictions? Why is integrity so important to be successful in any field?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 7 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 19. The Secret of Success

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 12:11


    What is the secret of success? What causes us to become so tired in spite of all the physical comforts? How do we work dynamically without feeling so much fatigue?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 6 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 18. Three Kinds of Action

    Play Episode Play 37 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 15:05


    Action is inevitable as long as we live. What matters is how we work and the quality of the activity we are engaged in. What are the different categories of people who are working with different attitudes? How do we work in an inspired way?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 6 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 17. Beyond BMI

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 10:12


    How do we realize and experience our true nature, OM? What is true renunciation?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 5 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 16. Vasanas

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 14, 2020 9:35


    What determines the personality of each person? How is everyone different and distinct in terms of how we act or respond? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 5 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 15. Sat-Cit-Ananda

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 10:19


    What is the nature of supreme Reality? What does Sat-Cit-Ananda mean?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 5 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 14. The Supreme Reality

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 31, 2020 7:55


    What is the supreme Reality? What is this divine principle and what is the nature of it?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 5 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 13. The Equipment of Experience

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 28, 2020 8:40


    What is life? What are the instruments through which we experience life? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 5 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 12: Preyas vs Sreyas

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 25, 2020 7:46


    What are our actions guided by? What choices do we have when we are taking any action? What sort of choices can lead us to live a fulfilling and content life?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 4 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 11. Sublimation vs Suppression

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 21, 2020 5:50


    How do we rid ourselves of our lower tendencies or imperfections? What is sublimation? How is it different from suppression? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 4 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 10. Balance

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 18, 2020 6:29


    Why is it that we are experiencing increasing levels of stress and not having lasting happiness in spite of all the comforts around us?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 4 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 9. Religion

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 15, 2020 8:16


    What is Religion? What does it aim to do? What is the content of any scripture? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 3 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 8. Innate Strength

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 13, 2020 4:08


    Each of us can learn how to approach life correctly to be happy and successful. We all have that strength and potential within. Reflections based on a section from Lesson 3 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 7. Happiness

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 11, 2020 6:17


    What is happiness? Where is it located? Learn about the happiness equation. Reflections based on a section from Lesson 2 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 6. The Joy of Living

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 9, 2020 7:15


    What are our activities based on? Why are we in this never-ending state of dissatisfaction? Where is joy coming from? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 2 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 5. Our Heritage

    Play Episode Play 55 sec Highlight Listen Later May 7, 2020 6:41


    What is true human heritage? What is freedom and how to regain the divine heritage? Reflections based on a section from Lesson 1 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 4. The Art of Right Contact

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 8:11


    Can we enjoy the experiences while interacting with the world if we do not know how to have the right contact with the world?Reflections based on a section from Lesson 1 of the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 3. Freedom

    Play Episode Play 46 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 7:36


    Can Freedom without self-restraint give us happiness? Why is self-restraint important?This episode marks the beginning of the reflections based on the book Self-Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda. And this episode is based on a section of Lesson 1.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 2. What is the purpose?

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 6:20


    What is the book Self-Unfoldment about? Why am I reflecting on this book? Why should you read/study this book?Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Self-Unfoldment: 1. About the Author

    Play Episode Play 58 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 5:13


    Before beginning to share my reflections on the book Self-Unfoldment, learn more about the author - Swami Chinmayananda. Visit archives.chinmayamission.com to know more about Swamiji.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Is technology bad?

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 8:53


    Is the technology and the social media the cause of all our problems? My thoughts on this and how to possibly overcome some habits which you think are harmful or are not productive to you.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Spirituality and Self-Unfoldment

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 5:16


    What is spirituality? Why do we need it? I share as to why I felt like I needed Spirituality, what the goal is and how to get there.In the upcoming episodes, I will be reflecting on the book Self-Unfoldment as Swami Chinmayananda very systematically and logically explains what our true nature is through the study of Vedanta, the science of life in a beautiful manner, answering all the questions about Spirituality/Religion we may have along the way.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Shifting from Outward to Inward

    Play Episode Play 42 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 7:28


    Why did I feel the need to look Inward? Was there a significant moment in my life when I got inspired to do that? A lot of questions that were waiting to be answered...Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Be Here Now

    Play Episode Play 37 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 10:59


    Why do we find it difficult to concentrate on the present moment and how can we practice to “Be Here Now”.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y2S4UHEWNYGKE)

    Claim Reflections Along The Way

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel