Lectures by Swami Bodhananda

• SeriesWatch on YouTube

• SeriesWatch on YouTube

• SeriesWatch on YouTube

• SeriesWatch on YouTube

Further talks from the four programmes above, as they were listed on the earlier website.

• Set 1Talk 1
• Set 1Talk 2
• Set 1Talk 3
• Set 1Talk 4
• Set 1Talk 5
• Set 2Talk 1
• Set 2Talk 2
• Set 2Talk 3
• Set 2Talk 4
• Set 2Talk 5

The entire spectrum of Indian philosophy — Brahmanic and Shramanic, theistic and atheistic, ancient and modern — to find ground in our unbroken tradition for contemporary Indian thought and for organisational and leadership values. Decision-making is the greatest leadership challenge, and it is a function of knowledge, values and purpose. The integral nature of Indian philosophy can contribute significantly to meeting this challenge, where science and evolutionary biology have failed humanity. Programme flyer

• 28 Jan 2016The Dharma World-view
• 29 Jan 2016Lokayata & Modern Materialism
• 30 Jan 2016Nyaya & Vaisheshika
• 31 Jan 2016Samkhya Sastra
• 1 Feb 2016Patanjali Yoga Sutras
• 2 Feb 2016Mimamsa & Vedanta
• 3 Feb 2016Buddhism & Jainism
• 4 Feb 2016Kashmir Saivism

Video coming soon.

Change management, visionary leadership, motivation, risk-taking, team-building, empowerment and ethical responsibility — explored through the lives and works of Vyasa, Chanakya, Sankara, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Video coming soon.

Inclusive development, democracy, pluralism, human rights, gender equality, environment, green energy, win-win solutions and so on are the current buzz words. But what the present world lacks is wise leadership in all areas of human activity, to lead us out of a pervasive meaninglessness, crass materialism and paralysing moral relativism. Swami Bodhananda discusses, in the light of the Bhagavad Gita, the present leadership crisis, taking up five themes — 1. Self-reflection of the Wise Leader, 2. Detached Engagement, 3. The Big and the Small Picture, 4. The Problem of the Other, and 5. Fight to Win.

• 17 Feb 2014Self-reflection of the Wise Leader
• 18 Feb 2014Detached Engagement
• 19 Feb 2014The Big and the Small Picture
• 20 Feb 2014The Problem of the Other
• 21 Feb 2014Fight to Win

• 10 Feb 2013TruthWhat is the epistemology, the pramāṇa, of truth, and its deepest experience? A journey through its many facets.
  Read the abstract

  Truth has been the singular objective of human kind from time immemorial. Scientists and philosophers; poets and logicians; materialists and spiritualists, traditionalists and modernists — all agree on truth as the ultimate purpose of life. Gandhi and Einstein believed that truth is god. What is the epistemology/pramana of truth and its deepest experience? Swami Bodhananda takes us to an exciting journey through the multidimensional facets of truth.

• 11 Feb 2013GoodnessLived truth is goodness. Is it an end or a means? The ethics — dharma — of goodness.
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  Goodness is considered coeval with truth in the Indian wisdom tradition. Lived truth is goodness. Is goodness an end or a means to an end? But what is goodness and who is good? Is it difficult to be good and do good in this tough and rough world? Swami Bodhananda discusses the ethics/dharma of goodness.

• 12 Feb 2013BeautyThe aesthetics — rasa — of being alive, active and interactive in embodiment.
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  Truth is beautiful. Or is it the other way round: the beautiful is the truth? God is said to be the most beautiful. Nature is beautiful, soul is beautiful. Mathematics is beautiful. Swami Bodhananda discusses the aesthetics/rasa/beauty of being alive, active and interactive in embodiment.

• 13 Feb 2013FreedomIs freedom a matter of choice or a state of awareness? The experience — anubhava — of freedom, East and West.
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  This is the greatest and universal ideal that human kind cherishes and pursues in social and individual life. Freedom from fear and freedom to choose ones destiny. Is freedom a matter of choice or a state of awareness? Swami Bodhananda brings the wisdom of the east in contrast to the west to throw light on this fascinating topic — the experience/anubhava of freedom.

• 14 Feb 2013JusticeFair play or absolute equality? Need or deed? The ideal and practice of justice — nīti.
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  Another ideal that communities and political systems try to guarantee to the individual. Is justice fair play or absolute equality? What is the basis of justice — to each according to his need or according his deed? Justice at what cost and at whose cost? What is the survival value of justice? Let us walk with Swami Bodhananda through the thick jungle of the ideal and practice of justice/neeti.

• 20 Feb 2012Knowledge Video coming soonWhat is true and false knowledge? Its means and proofs; Vedic and Semitic, scientific and spiritual views.
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  'Knowledge is power', 'Knowledge is freedom', 'Knowledge liberates' — so are the wise sayings. But, what is knowledge? What is true and false knowledge? What are the means of knowledge and what are the proofs? How do societies generate, control, package and disseminate knowledge? What are the differences between Vedic and Semitic perceptions of knowledge, and also between scientific and spiritual knowledge? Is knowledge value neutral? Is knowledge conditioned or unconditioned? What is the role of emotions and survival needs in the manufacturing of knowledge? These are some of the questions this presentation will raise and reflects upon. In this age of networking and internet, knowledge is oxygen, knowledge is fuel, knowledge is transport and knowledge is the passport to success. 'vidhya dhanam sarva dhanaat pradhanam' says a Sanskrit adage.

• 21 Feb 2012Imagination Video coming soonThe extraordinary power of human imagination, and its proper channelling.
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  Imagination plays an important role in knowledge generation and knowledge application. What the modern world lacks is imagination. Mind is so saturated with old knowledge that there is no room for imagination. Imagination is the function of the right brain and the limbic system. It is the unleashing of the unconscious and the power of consciousness. The negative side of imagination is paranoia, depression and schizophrenia. It is the same power of imagination that creates beautiful work of art that leads people to forge weapons of mass destruction and fight wars. Imagination is a double edged weapon and has to be tamed with periodic reality checks. This talk will dwell on the extraordinary powers of human imagination and its proper channelling.

• 22 Feb 2012Creativity Video coming soonCreativity unfolds when we ask ‘why’ rather than ‘how’ and ‘what’ — it bubbles up from pure consciousness.
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  Using the power of knowledge and imagination humans have created a wonderful culture and civilization that have enhanced our general well-being. Creativity is an inside-out phenomenon. Creativity unfolds when we ask the 'why' question rather than the 'how' and 'what' questions. Creativity bubbles up from pure consciousness. Focus, diverse interests, love of nature, acute observation and self-awareness are the ingredients of a creative mind. Creativity is doing things differently, or doing different things, or doing things in ones own way. Creativity manifests when one enjoys what one does. We find creative geniuses in all fields of human endeavours. Mastery in a chosen field is a necessary condition for creative flowering. It is letting things happen, ideas explode, and words flow. Creativity is the energy of spontaneity. This talk probes and unravels the mystery of creativity, a unique human quality.

• 23 Feb 2012Optimal Solutions Video coming soonThere are no perfect answers, only optimal ones: an enquiry into the art of problem solving.
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  One unchanging truth about the world and the human condition is that there are no perfect answers to problems. There can be only optimal answers. It is a compromise involving trade offs. To win something is to lose something else. Economists nick name this phenomenon 'opportunity cost'. Every solution is a package, a mixed bag of good and bad. You get a package — take or leave it. Strategic thinkers term it as win-win solutions, a situation where both you and your enemy win. The great challenge today is optimizing human satisfaction with minimal resources for maximum people. It is a situation of the winner playing a positive sum game versus a zero sum game and sharing his/her victory with the loser. This talk will be an enquiry into the art of problem solving.

• 24 Feb 2012Success Video coming soonLike health, success has material, mental, ethical and spiritual dimensions.
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  Nobody in this world wants to be a failure. All want to be winners, and successful. But what is success, who is successful — the powerful, the rich, the strongest, the most beautiful? Based on a profit and loss analysis, we find that some times the early loser has the last laugh and that all the winners are not savouring their victories. Success like health seems to have material, mental, ethical and spiritual dimensions. Success also has long term and short term implications and cost factors. Swami Bodhananda gives a holistic picture of success and determines who is actually successful.

• 21 Feb 2011Relationship Video coming soonDeveloping the energy and language of the heart for enduring relationships.
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  Leaders and managers operate in a networked world of nested relationships. All the stake holders in an enterprise have to be satisfied for enduring success. More important is the personal touch and feeling that one can bring into relationships. How to develop the energy and language of the heart to develop and sustain enduring relationships will be the major thrust of this session.

• 22 Feb 2011Happiness Video coming soonHow the leader invokes inner happiness.
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  A successful leader or manager has to be a happy person to begin with. Every one looks up to him/her but s/he has no one to look up to for inspiration or solace. S/he is on his/her own, is the salt of the organization. By looking for happiness outside the leader forfeits right to leadership. How to invoke inner happiness will be the subject matter of this session.

• 23 Feb 2011Joy of Doing Video coming soonThe secret of enjoying work for its own sake.
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  Motivating people to work for organizational goals is the greatest management challenge. The worker has to enjoy work and know and feel that work is a means of self actualization. The secret of enjoying work for its own sake will be discussed in this session.

• 24 Feb 2011Nurturing Values Video coming soonHow to be good and do good business.
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  One of the main challenges of modern business and professional career is the difficulty of being good and ethical. Lust for easy and quick profit has replaced all other considerations, which has led to the present economic crisis. Business leaders are now talking about value based and ethical business. How to be good and do good business and what are those enduring values will be the focus of this session.

• 24 Feb 2011Caring & Sharing Video coming soonBuilding great organisations by caring for and sharing with employees and customers.
  Read the abstract

  'To exist is to coexist', 'customer satisfaction', 'win-win solutions', 'green business', 'compassionate capitalism', 'humane development', 'corporate social responsibility' are some of the mantras of modern business. How caring for and sharing with your employees and customers you can build great organizations will be the theme of this final session. These presentations attempt to bring insights from Indian wisdom traditions to address modern management challenges.

Leadership is the most critical factor in a complex and ever changing world – be it in business, politics or social work. Human resource is more important than raw materials, capital and technology in value addition and in creating optimal output. India, and the world, is facing humongous problems in terms of poverty, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and terrorism. These are global problems that cry for global solutions. But action has to be on the national and local levels. The supreme leadership challenge is harmonizing local needs and national aspirations with global concerns. In a democratic market economy no decision, however well thought out, can be rammed down the throat of unwilling people. Individual choices, group and local initiatives have to be harnessed and harmonized in a bottom up decision making process. An informed citizenry making rational economic choices alone can ensure sustainable and optimal solutions for problems of production and equitable distribution. It is leadership that drives a good company to become a great company and an average nation to become a great nation. A Gandhi, or a Roosevelt or Lee Kuan Yew or a Jack Welch or an Ambani makes all the difference to a nation or a company. An organization without an effective leader is like an orchestra without a conductor.

Swami Bodhananda in this five days presentation delves into the Indian wisdom tradition to enlighten modern managers and business leaders on the virtues of an effective and transformational leader. Photo album

• Lecture 1Goal-setting and Team-building — the Yajna modelSetting goals and building teams to reach them at minimal cost and in reasonable time.
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  The central leadership task is to define organizational goals and put together an effective team to realize those goals with minimal cost in a reasonable time frame. The ancient Yajna practices throw valuable light on this major leadership task.

• Lecture 2Conflict Resolution and Decision-making — the Dharma modelSynergising the interests of all stakeholders; the leader's character and empathy.
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  The non-negotiable interests of all stakeholders are to be synergistically incorporated in envisioning sustainable solutions to conflicts that arise among individuals, departments and communities. Decision making is prioritising and balancing those interests for positive and organised action and to create acceptable outcomes. The character and empathy of the leader matter a lot in this area. The Vedic ideal of dharma gives us valuable insights in this complex matter.

• Lecture 3Motivation and Communication — the Guna modelReaching the mind subliminally: individual orientation, group dynamics and satisfaction.
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  Motivation is a matter of knowing human mind and its inner workings. Communication has to be directed to address that mind subliminally. The Indian guna theory analyses the deeper structure and motivations of human mind in thought and action – its individual orientation, group dynamics and the nature of human satisfaction and flourishing.

• Lecture 4Public Service and Professional Excellence — the Nishkama-karma modelSelf-giving work for the public good, in a post-capitalist business context.
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  Professional excellence for public good is the motto of modern societies. Serving public good seems the best business strategy. A great leader strategizes organizational interest, with concern for public good, especially in the present post capitalist global business context. The ideal of nishkama-karma or self giving work to promote public good offers valuable lessons for the modern leader who wants to do well by doing good.

• Lecture 5Ethical Leadership — the Rajarshi modelDecisions in a crisis — intuition and principle, with lessons from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  Read the abstract

  The primary duty of a leader is to make decisions that affect people's thinking and choices and eventually the quality of their lives. In this ever changing complex world no leader has the time and leisure to ponder eternally and process all the information effectively to arrive at optimal decisions. The leader has to tap into his/her guts or intuitive faculties to make effective and innovative decisions. Principles and ethics give conviction and direction in times of confusion and ambiguity. The Rajarshi model of leadership discussed in Ramayana and Mahabharata is a treasure chest of insights on ethical leadership in times of crisis.

Lectures on the Kaivalya Upanishad by Swami Bodhananda, in Trivandrum from 25 to 30 May 1992. The programme was organised by Bodhananda Seva Society, Trivandrum.

• 25 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 1
• 26 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 2
• 27 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 3
• 28 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 4
• 29 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 5, part 1
• 29 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 5, part 2
• 30 May 1992Kaivalya Upanishad – Lecture 6

Lecture on the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Bodhananda, in Trivandrum (Kerala, India), on 30 May 1992. The programme was organised by Bodhananda Seva Society.

• 30 May 1992Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 6

Lectures by Swami Bodhananda on the thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, in Calicut (Kerala) from 20 to 29 February 1994. The programme was organised by Bodhananda Seva Society, Calicut.

• 20 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 1
• 21 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 2
• 22 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 3
• 23 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 4
• 24 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 4
• 25 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 4, part 1
• 25 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 4, part 2
• 26 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 5, part 1
• 26 Feb 1994Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 – Lecture 5, part 2

Lectures by Swami Bodhananda on the Taittiriya Upanishad — a retreat lecture series in Sattal, the Himalayas, in 2003. Organised by Alka & Naveen Budhraja. Audio credits: Ruth Small.

• Lecture 1 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 2 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 3 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 4 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 5 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 6 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 7 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 8 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 9 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 10 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 11 Audio coming soon
• Lecture 12 Audio coming soon

Watch videos of lectures on the Bhagavad Gita at the Sambodh Centre for Human Excellence, Michigan.

• 2 May 2012Lecture 1
• 16 May 2012Lecture 2