What happens when two childhood friends accidentally grow up? Good Question!
Shanka Tells All: Part 1 As Shanka Das prepares to leave this world he sits down and tells us about his life, no holds barred. How did someone go through all of this and become a loving devotee of krsna and friend to all? We will soon find out. This is part 1 of 3 parts currently filmed and a hope to film 1 or 2 more.
We got the chance to sit down with my Sister Pishima for a very real chat about life, spirituality, and work. The good, bad, confusing, frustrating, loving, funny etc.... We went for all of it. I hope this brings you loads of value, like it did for us. It's important to talk about the doubts, the hopes, the ups, and the downs in all areas of our life. Our Journey's are real, they aren't a fairytale, no prince is coming to save us from our tall tower by climbing up our hair! (OUCH!! by the way). Life is gritty, and we have to work for it, but that's part of the magic of it.. at least I like to think so, Let us know what YOU think by writing us a message to antswersoflife@gmail.com or leaving us a review.
We got to interview both of my amazing sisters two weeks ago. This is the first interview with Devahuti. The "baby" if you will. We were able to discuss how she feels about growing up in a bhakti yoga community and how she feels about getting after things she really wants. Let us know what you think and don't forget to share with a friend if you found this valuable in any way.
Great interview for leading into Father's day with appreciation for these spirit souls who have guided us and given their time to us, while they too were on this journey called life just trying to figure out what is going on. Thanks Dad, for looking out for us in the best way you knew how and always learning and growing through the various challenges and upsets that are bound to occur in this material world. You showed me that we can always better ourselves with time and dedication. This is a lifelong practice of applied spiritual science and you really step up and put in the work.
The second part of our discussion with one of Mother Purana. This half we got really deep into her connection to children, views on building rapport with those children, and how to help them grow up to be their own person while still lending a helping, or a stern, hand from time to time. Let us know what you think. See you in the next one.
Memorial Day Special! Filmed last night, edited this morning and brought to you now! We had a very special interview with Shanka Dasa, a Vietnam Veteran of three tours. He has seen a lot and experienced even more throughout his search for happiness. Please forgive any offenses or intensity of the message herein. Our guest doesn't have a lot of time to work with so the message is strong and unfiltered. Shanka Dasa is in the final days of his last battle. He has several Cancers vying for last say, but, ever the Warrior, Shanka aims to have the last word. We plan to have him on as often as we can to gain insight from his wisdom and adventures both in war and out. That being said, each time we see him could be the last so we treasure these interactions and we hope that they bring you some value as well, he wants to share these words with the world, so please hit share!!
We had a wonderful heartfelt sit down with my mother / our mother really as both our moms are both our moms, if that makes any sense, and if not, it's still the case. Anyway, this conversation went on for about three hours so this is the first half which covers most of her early life into some early mothering days. The rest of her life, and spiritualities role in her life, will be covered next Sunday. Don't forget to like and subscribe and share with a friend!
The boys of spirituality are back with another rambling, discussion on spirituality and how to apply it in our everyday lives as we seek true happiness for ourselves and, of course, our loved ones.
Being a Spiritual Warrior/ Family Man/ whatever else came up. We had a blast catching up with our childhood friend and martial arts enthusiast, "Nung", as we call him. Full name is in the title and I'm not typing it again.
Hamsa and I read Chapter 8 of Beyond Illusion and Doubt. A study of Schopenhauer's philosophies and the comparison to Vedic Scientific understanding. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and give us a like.
Today's video deals with a very important topic. In this day and age we are getting our information from so many sources. Apps, websites, news channels. How do we find a true source of knowledge, what kind of knowledge should we be seeking? When do we accept guidance? when should we be weary? All these and more are answered within this video, to the best of our ability anyway. don't expect too much. We are still figuring all of this life business out too.
We had the absolute pleasure of discussing spirituality, teaching, separation of church and state and let us not forget, COVID-19 and it's affect on the classroom setting. Let us know your thoughts.
We dive deep into a discussion about my grandmother's life and how she found the path of Bhakti Yoga. We discuss, how to prepare for death and how to live in service to others. All of these things Mammy has done to the best of her abilities. We have much to learn from her and the other elders in the community. If we have her back to you have any questions for her? Let us know! Don't forget to subscribe, share, and give us a like.
We had the absolute pleasure to interview a child with wisdom beyond her years. Not just any child, Sruti is the oldest of Hamsa and Shara's Children. "The First Blessing?" or something like that.
Sometimes in life, and by sometimes I mean constantly, we meet those whose opinions and experiences are different than our own. You know what I mean, that ever growing large group of people that includes everyone that isn't you. At any rate, we met one such man and had the privilege of enjoying a very enlivening discussion about spirituality and what it means to us in our lives, how we apply it, where we struggle and we even took a look at some of our differences. *gasp* Don't worry, there was only a small fistfight that ensued, then we got back to the conversation at hand. In all seriousness I think we could all learn to be more open minded and curious about ideas that are new to us. There is so much world and life to experience none of us can experience it all. Sharing is the best way to spread knowledge and broaden our minds together. This weeks guest was Kato and it was a pleasure and a great time. We look forward to having him back very soon. This... was just the beginning..
Hamsa and I discuss the shadow self as theorized by Carl Jung and how we feel it relates to Bhakti and how to improve ourselves utilizing this knowledge. How do you feel about the Shadow Self? When did you last look at your Shadow? Don't forget to subscribe, share, and give us a like.
Hamsa and I read the next installment of comparisons of well known philosophies and how they stack up against Vedic wisdom. Let us know your thoughts and leave us a rating, or a like, if you'd be so kind. Share with a friend or two if you have that many ;) , it's greatly appreciated. Other SM Links: https://www.instagram.com/antswers_of_life/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_R3IGgOcgiy0I_r2vUHLXQ
Hamsa and I discuss self love, and what we feel that means and how it pertains to seeking a higher truth than the temporary pleasure that without fail turns into pain at some point or another in this life.
Something More Episode 3 Hamsa and I discuss Karma as we understand it, and how to remain compassionate within that understanding. We also digress as always and talk about all sorts of surrounding thought processes to buckle up!
Hans and I discuss the difficulty in applying some of the "loftier" advice we sometimes receive that can feel a bit out of place or uncaring of our material situation at the time. How do we take this advice, and also, how can we give knowledge in a helpful way to the person or persons receiving it? Who knows! But today's episode shares some of our thoughts on this subject.
The story gets ready to heat up quite literally as a house fire seems imminent in an assassination plot that begins to unfold with today's chapter.
How do we give up our own power? How are we responsible for our interactions? The more we delve into this for ourselves the less power someone else's mood or attitude can have over you. Let us know your thoughts. We are going to start doing more talks like this in general and feedback is welcome.
In this chapter we go over the ideologies of Thomas Aquinas as compared to Vedic philosophy. The reading is a transcript of a conversation between A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and one of his disciples on the topic. If you like what you hear don't forget to give us a like and maybe share us with a friend!
Chapter 5 of Quest for Justice. What happens when the lord is on your side? Don't ask me, but we can certainly ask the Pandavas. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and give us a like.
Continuing our reading of beyond illusion and doubt we discuss the comparison between Augustines teachings and the vedic texts. As always share with a friend or many if you have more than one.
The next installment in our reading of a part of the great epic Maha-Bharata. As always don't forget to leave us your thoughts, share with some friends and like and subscribe!
Hamsa and I read a discussion comparing the philosophic understandings of Origen as compared to the Vedic Philosophy and spiritual texts. Don't forget to check us out on our other social media accounts. https://www.instagram.com/antswers_of_life/ https://youtu.be/bPpKkee-mP8
The adventure continues, and the intrigue ramps up. As always don't forget to leave us your thoughts, share with some friends and like and subscribe!
The intrigue continues as "blunders" are made in certain social interactions that change the course of world history. It's getting good, and it's just getting started! Don't forget to share us with a friend or a whole bunch of friends, like, and subscribe!
Chapter 3 Reading We read a discussion regarding Aristotle's beliefs as understood by a modern student, comparing them to the ancient Vedic Texts, the oldest known texts in the world to date. Let us know what you think. As always, please share with a friend, like, and subscribe.
Quest For Justice Reading Continued: We get into the story of the Mahabharata known by all scholars to be the largest epic tale ever written. This book just introduces us to a few characters and the beginnings of the goings on, but it is amazing and addictive. I hope you all feel the same. Don't forget to share, like, subscribe and check us out on spotify or IG or both!
Reading From: Select Tales of the Mahabharata with Modern Illustrations. By H.D.D. Gosvami We are very excited to read some of the great epic Mahabharata. This tale is the largest ever told or written. Originating in Ancient India, from a time long before the Iliad and the Odyssey began, there was a great war for the rule of this planet and it was fought in the East. This book sets the groundwork for one of the greatest battles that occur during this epic and gives us an idea of the political landscape, as well as some of the key players, in this story. We wanted to read this a bit before we went into a full length version. Let us know if you like it and if you would like to hear the story in it's entirety.
This week we are beginning a new book called "Beyond Illusion and Doubt". Within it are a collection of conversations that took place between Srila Prabhupada and his disciples at various times, comparing Ancient Vedic philosophy to the Philosophy of some of the most famous philosophers in recent recorded history. And of course, we can't help but talk a bit at the end.
Hamsa and I continue to read and discuss the philosophy of bhakti Yoga as we read this great literary work said to have been spoken by the original Yogi himself, Krsna. As always, if you like it please share it with a friend or several and don't forget to follow our podcast and/or rate it! It helps. Feel free to contact us at antswersoflife@gmail.com with any questions, suggestions or feedback.
Hamsa and I begin our reading of the Bhagavad Gita Chapter one, and of course we ramble plenty about how this plays into our lives. Please share with a friend if you like it and feel free to leave us feedback here or email us at antswersoflife@gmail.com.
Hamsa and I finish up the introduction of the Bhagavad Gita. As always, if you like it, make sure to follow us and share with a few friends!
Hamsa and I continue reading from the introduction of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Join us, if you will, on this exploration of self realization and our search for true happiness in this world of ever increasing anxiety. Let us know your thoughts and as always thank you for watching.
Bhagavad Gita As It Is Hamsa and I continue to read the first pages of the Bhagavad Gita and it's already fascinating.. to us anyway. what about you?
Reading the "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is" Hamsa (Hans) and I embark on another exploration of knowledge and this one will last us a while with around 900 pages (depending on your print size) This seed of all Vedic knowledge was spoken by the supreme lord of the universe himself to his dear friend and devotee, the great warrior Arjuna on the eve of a great battle. This is a part of the epic story known as the Mahabharata, which, if you have not read, is a fascinating tale that I have only ever read pieces of myself and we plan to read that too! If you liked GOT you have quite a ride in store for you.
"As we live through thousands of dreams in our present life, so is our present life only one of many thousands of such lives we enter from the other, more real life.... and then return after death. our life is but one of the dreams of that more real life, and so it is endlessly, until the very last one, the very real life - the life of God." -Count Leo Tolstoy Join Hans and I as we read the final pages of Coming Back 'The Science of Reincarnation', by H.H. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We hope it brings you value.
"He saw all these forms and faces in a thousand relationships.... become newly born. Each one was mortal, a passionate, painful example of all that is transitory. Yet none of them died, they only changed, were always reborn, continually had a new face; only time stood between one face and another." -Herman Hesse Nobel Laureate Siddartha We read chapter 7 of "Coming Back" and discuss what comes to mind.
"Has it occurred to you that transmigration is at once an explanation and a justification of the evil of the world? If the evils we suffer are the result of sins committed in our past lives, we can bear them with resignation and hope that if in this one we strive toward virtue our future lives will be less afflicted." -W. Somerset Maugham The Razors Edge Hans and I read and discuss the logic behind the idea of reincarnation as presented in chapter 6 of the book "Coming Back - The Science of Reincarnation."
"That subtle forms exist in the ether has been proven by modern science by transmission of television waves, by which forms or photographs in one place are transmitted to another place by the action of the ethereal element" - A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Coming Back
"As we live through thousands of dreams in our present life, so is our present life only one of many thousands of such lives which we enter from the other more real life.... And then return after death. Our life is but one of the dreams of that more real life, and so it is endlessly until the very last one, the very real life, the life of god." - Count Leo Tolstoy This week we read chapter 4 part 3. The story of Ajamila, the brahman who fell down and became entrapped in maya's embrace. Now as he lays upon his deathbed
"The soul comes from without into the human body, as into a temporary abode, and it goes out of it anew.... It passes into other habitations, for the soul is immortal." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Coming Back - Chapter 4 - Part 2: This story is about a spirit soul as it journeys from one body to the next on it's journey to liberation. A deer, a "simpleton", a king, then salvation. Except, it's not in the order you might think! This story does a fantastic job at displaying the many pitfalls we may fall into on our way out of this cycle of repeated birth
"In this material world, all people become friends, relatives and enemies in due course of time. But despite these various transactions, no one is permanently related." Chapter 4 Part 1: The Prince with a million mothers.
"I did not begin when I was born, nor when I was conceived. I have been growing, developing, through incalculable myriads of millenniums... All my previous selves have their voices, echoes, promptings in me.... Oh, incalculable times again shall I be born." -Jack London The Star Rover CH.3 Soul Research This one was over a zoom call and we aren't quite set up right for virtual sessions yet so I apologize for the less than ideal audio and video. The next video is in person with the usual equipment so you only have to bear through this for one chapter with us on this.
Reading Chapter 2 of "Coming Back". Hans and I read and discuss the second chapter on the "Science of Self Realization".
"We were behaving like we were going to live forever. Which is what everyone thought in the Beatles' days right? I mean whoever thought we were going to die?" - Beatle Paul McCartney Welcome to the search for the Antswers of life. Hans and I delve into a book discussing the scientific evidence of the soul and reincarnation, as laid out in the ancient Vedic texts. This knowledge has been shared with us more recently by the author of this book, A.C. Bhatkivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Please forgive us, for any errors, we may make, or, misguided notions, we may have. We are just beginners, as insignificant as ants, and yet we hope that our journey will bring value to us and any who choose to listen who listen. Join us on this journey to find the Antswers of life.
Reading from "Coming Back" The Science of Reincarnation. Welcome to the search for the Antswers of life. Hans and I delve into a book discussing the scientific evidence of the soul and reincarnation as laid out in the ancient Vedic texts. This knowledge has been shared with us more recently by the author of this book, A.C. Bhatkivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Please forgive us for any errors we may make or misguided notions we may have. We are just beginners, as insignificant as ants, and yet we hope that our reading will bring value to us and those who listen. We also hope that you will join us on this journey to find the Antswers of life.