How does the knowledge of Vedanta improve our lives?

I feel it is important to pause and question ourselves every once in a while as to why we are doing something. It provides clarity and conviction to keep moving along the path with rejuvenated energy.

As we were about to end the first chapter of Kathopanishad this week in our study group, our Vedanta Teacher gave us an assignment to reflect on two questions. 

1. Why do we commit to walking the spiritual path?
2. How do we expect the Knowledge of Vedanta to improve our lives?

Jotting down some thoughts that came to my mind this morning as I was reflecting on the above questions.

Without the Vedantic knowledge, I identified myself as this body, mind, and intellect (BMI) and used these instruments to gain happiness. Because of the nature of these instruments to go through constant change, I have experienced intense moments of joy and intense moments of sorrow at various points in my life. I was tired of the roller coaster ride of emotions going up and down in circles. That started the search for how to get out of this roller coaster ride of emotions.

I wasn’t exactly sure that there was a way to get down from that ride but an inner voice from deep down in my heart was telling me that there must be more to life and that it is possible to be in a steady state of peace. However, my experiences were contradictory to that voice. My commitment to the spiritual path has been because I am in search of what my inner voice has been telling me and to experience what I seek the most – a state of undisturbed peace, bliss, and fulfillment. 

With the Knowledge of Vedanta and by practicing Self-introspection, I slowly am realizing that my identity is not this BMI. I am something other than that which is making me practice being an unattached observer. Slowly but surely the path to the goal is revealing itself.

Vedanta reveals that the true cause of sorrow is ignorance of self-identity. It declares that I am Brahman, the unchanging Reality (sat-cit-ānanda). Because of ignorance of my true identity, I think I am the BMI and search for happiness by always wanting pleasure at the physical level, happiness at the mental level, and ideas/creativity/solutions at the intellectual level. The cause of our sorrows is expectations to fulfill our physical, emotional, and intellectual wants as we think that gives us happiness. This causes the mind to be disturbed and confused as this is an unending cycle of expectations due to the changing nature of my own BMI and the world. By studying, reflecting, and contemplating on Vedantic Knowledge from texts such as Kathopanishad, I learn how to remain balanced and unaffected by the inevitable changes in the outer world, by detaching myself from the changing BMI and attaching to the unchanging Brahman.

Vedanta reveals my nature to be Brahman and that the Self in me is the same as the Self in others. In the process of realizing that Truth with sādhanā, I learn how not to dissipate energy holding on to ridiculous expectations by the BMI. My responsibilities become clear, there is no confusion. My thoughts become pure with no ill intent. I am driven to do my best not having any doubt in my mind about having risen to my own or others’ expectations. This makes my mind pure and clear to see that others are on the same journey as I am. I start to see the oneness in all. There is more kindness, more compassion, and more empathy toward others. It becomes easy to let go of expectations. My life is no longer about what I want constantly. It becomes a life filled with gratitude. I watch my mind becoming free from disturbing thoughts, becoming pure and clear to prepare me to contemplate and meditate on my true identity to reach the state of being completely fulfilled, independent and undisturbed despite the constant change around me.