Welcome to Episode 37 of The Daily Vedantic - a free, repeating 2-year course in Advaita Vedanta rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Upanishads. Start with Episode 1 or jump into today’s reflection from wherever you are.
This course is designed as a repeating cycle: a simple, modern, daily practice that builds clarity, discipline, and understanding over the course of 2-years. New episodes drop everyday.
Resources:
• Our weekly newsletter with links, summaries, and events, as well as our 24/7 AI-powered chatbot trained on Advaita Vedanta (and all episode transcripts) that you can use for free, without an account with nearly any question you might have:
TheDailyVedantic.com
• Vedanta Academy online lectures from the ashram:
https://elearning.vedantaworld.org/
• Vedanta Treatise, the book that may change everything for you:
• The No Nicknames Gita:
• The Essence of Christ:
• Follow along on Instagram for daily reflections, events, clips from James’ podcast appearances, and live gatherings like our monthly Philosophy Fridays in LA:
James Beshara: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjbeshara/
The Daily Vedantic: https://www.instagram.com/the_daily_vedantic/
Episode Summary:
In this episode, James discusses the concept of true fulfillment through the story of Alexander the Great and a wise sage. Alexander, known for his worldly conquests, encounters a sage in India who has conquered the need to conquer the world, showcasing a profound contentment with life. James reflects on the notion that real peace comes not from acquiring what we desire, but from conquering the desire itself. He emphasizes that mastering one's internal state and desires is more rewarding than any external achievement. The episode concludes with the idea that true victory and contentment lie in self-mastery and inner peace.
Community:
• Share your reflections in the comments — we’d love to hear what resonated.
• Sign up to join the Venice Vedanta Club, a monthly in-person community exploring timeless wisdom in LA: https://forms.gle/ZSE1zKRXEfw8pMYb9