Are there any members who study or practice Vedanta who would be willing to have a discussion leading to access to information, perhaps local teachers, or just wise advice? My life long studies have always existed alone. I have rarely met others who are interested or even knowledgeable regarding Vedanta, but it represents the single greatest collection of thought representing my views of the world. I dont need camaraderie- but I would like to learn more from wiser people. If any of you guys or gals have thoughts on this, thank you for sharing. It is not exactly Buddhism but certainly informed later Buddhism.

I practised a form of Vedanta whlist living in mainstream society, Bhakti Yoga, for a number of years and have to say over the years found the writing inspiring. For me personally not a subject to intellectualise, but to absorb in silence.

Unless you have already done so, IMO, one of the best to read for learning is Swami Vivekananda, also material from the Sri Aurobindo Society.

I never studied it but Vedanta, and now Simple1's mention of "Bhakti" remind me of the leader/guru/whatever of the Hare Krishna movement (Didn't study that either, but have flicked through a few books)

The chap's name, as best as I recall, was/is Sri Bhaktivedanta Prahupada. Actually, I think there are more middle names but I don't remember them.

Can't be a coincidence.

Thank you. Again, I have studied for a long time- but alone. Swami Vivekananda was kinda a contemporary of Phramahansa Yoganada ; Autobiography of a Yogi. I have studied Swami V's works, and Pantanjali. Vedanta, and in my case, Advaita Vedanta is the single greatest explanation for... everything, IMO. The road to vedanta is walked in Yoga- Royal, Bhakti, Karma, Gnani, Kiriya, Hatha. These make up the primary vehicles different qualities of humans need to basically lean upon on their climb up the ladder. One is devotion, another rational faculty, another through works, asanas, etc. I have realized my car is Gnani Yoga.

If any is interested a UK Vedanta center has online audio of the talks Swami V gave in the 1890s in US and London, etc. They are frankly remarkable. I recommend them to anyone, of really any background. As Swami V was appealing to the World Congress of Religions in Chicago in the 1890s much of his tone is quite accessible to any religious persuasion (seeking further personal development and communion; though, some faiths dissuade from internal communion or seeking).

Whenever I look for those who are teachers or other groups I wind up finding later followers of such various religious sects Hinduism has. I have no interest in these as the Veda (last), Bagavad Gita, and Sankhya are the last and also summation. Later developments took the analogies of deities and actually deified them; example, Ganesha, who was first intended to be representative or various qualities necessary for the journey inward, and leading a proper householder life, if chosen. Ganesha is now singularly deified. This pattern repeatedly quite a bit until there was a pantheon of gods, and much of the Vedanta itself became lost it bhakti like devotion alone.

Sri Bhakti/vedanta Prahupada, a bhkati devotee is again another in the rare form of men who's lives briefly overlapped in the past two centuries. I went through the devotional phase of my life and came to the place where I can put away such things (for me). Are there none alive today? Are there none alive who are free of ritual and superstition?

I agree, Simple1. I have all the written works of swami v and most of Aurobindo- it is the audio of swami v I have most enjoyed. However, I now find that over the years of listening to them constantly I am hungry for more. As I age I tend to prefer the audio to the written. As I travel I prefer the digital to the paper. So, this has me with tons of books on pdf but eyesight that strains after a time reading them. You guys are nice to comment, and I thank you. Personally, I would love to see Seastallion's face because in my mind, I cannot picture him imagining this is my life's love. I thank you both.

"Personally, I would love to see Seastallion's face because in my mind, I cannot picture him imagining this is my life's love. I thank you both."

Haha. Hmm, maybe a bit....but my own eccentricities allow me to imagine other's. But, I'm sure many can't picture me for what I am, either, which is probably just as eclectically eccentric and eccentrically eclectic as yourself. (And I consider "eclectically eccentric" and vice verca to be a compliment)

By way of feedback over the years as I contemplated ‘end of life’ I have had the idea in the last few years of life of staying at an ashram such as Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry. The purpose would be to concentrate on Brahmacharya and Bakthi Yoga. I have reviewed this matter with my Thai wife and she is accepting of my wish, right now not 100% sure if this is the path I will go down.

I believe there is a Vedanta centre of study in Chiang Mai, you may like to research

By way of feedback over the years as I contemplated ‘end of life’ I have had the idea in the last few years of life of staying at an ashram such as Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry. The purpose would be to concentrate on Brahmacharya and Bakthi Yoga. I have reviewed this matter with my Thai wife and she is accepting of my wish, right now not 100% sure if this is the path I will go down.

I believe there is a Vedanta centre of study in Chiang Mai, you may like to research

I just erased all I wrote because it was so much of me, I am quoting you! One of the reasons I found such joy in my wife is because she is fairly familiar with something very close to me, Qigong and in particular, NeiDan. Taoist Yoga has many similarities with Indian yoga and try as they might to assert original claim, I am pretty certain my studies suggest it began in India. But the concepts are quite similar and she is ok with my life of individual study and contemplation, and writing, and although she doesn't always get "it" she always listens.

I had long ago believed it was not true what the sages said that "a man cannot have a woman and also attain enlightenment." I suppose my protest was simply that I wanted both but I continue to intuitively feel it is not true. One does not have to join you in each step of inner work because another cannot ultimately accompany you in any event; it is finally a very alone journey no matter how it is rationalized. But in an home environment that is permissive, is it really necessary to go away? Is it really true that in an ashram or monastery we would be taught more, or simply forced by convention to do more inner work? It is the case that most who went 'this' route completed their householder duties, as you suggest, and took leave to earnestly seek enlightenment. It would be a very hard thing for me to sell myself- taking leave of my wife to embrace forever.

Oddly, I have never spent any considerable time in India nor ever had a swami, teacher, or even a monk guide me. Were I to ever be allowed to confront the great Buddhas in the after life I would ask them about the adage "When the adept is ready the master shall appear;" I have not found this to be true (unless of course I am not ready).

When you mention "end of life" I presumed you regard to the contemplation of it or do you mean the mechanics of it- life support, legal matters, do not resuscitate, etc?

From previous personal experience I do concur with the 'sages' that one should be celibate in order to progress with the inner spiritual journey. In fact I walked away from the spiritual life due to insufficient discipline to transform sexual energy to spiritual energy, being mindful one day I may return to the spiritual path. For me Inner Peace is a quintessential experience.

When I refer to 'end of life' I am talking to the experience of dying. Intellectually I am not absolutely convinced on the best journey for spiritual matters, but as I said above I have had some spiritual experiences that led me to know Inner Peace is a reality and that’s a good enough goal for me.

EDIT: I do not find any of the Abrahamic religions appealing

From previous personal experience I do concur with the 'sages' that one should be celibate in order to progress with the inner spiritual journey. In fact I walked away from the spiritual life due to insufficient discipline to transform sexual energy to spiritual energy, being mindful one day I may return to the spiritual path. For me Inner Peace is a quintessential experience.

When I refer to 'end of life' I am talking to the experience of dying. Intellectually I am not absolutely convinced on the best journey for spiritual matters, but as I said above I have had some spiritual experiences that led me to know Inner Peace is a reality and that’s a good enough goal for me.

EDIT: I do not find any of the Abrahamic religions appealing

The Abrahamic religions would be restrictive for someone on the yoga path, finally. Initially, a bhakti could practice but the time would come when he realized that sainthood or even heaven would indeed not be enough. Even in their highest concepts deity exists still as subject object, and never the two commune (judeochristianity provide the greatest opportunity to commune the furthest but social mandates stifle islamic communion).

Unofficially, a wide margin is permitted for mysticism (in judeochristianity) and while not encouraged and even mocked along the way, when one does achieve a degree of mystical accomplishment, they are then revered; an utterly restrictive framework with circuitous turns. IMO, nearly an entirely bhakti experience- devotion. Indeed, even in its gnostic phase (gnani yoga) early Christians were persecuted. Rationale faculties require all suspension in place of faith. That's fine; just not a journey I can make. I have no desire to go to heaven. I do not find any of the them appealing.

The most excellent book, Taoist Yoga: Alchemy & Immortality by Charles Luk, is really worth reading. I have read this book multiple times and it is well loved. It reflects what you say in the first above. For a time I taught a course on the Nei Jing Tu, which is entirely what Luk's book is all about. I commend this book for revealing so many of the secrets the Taoist Yogis concealed for so long. It is exceptionally easy and direct.