Ome, Shri Harim Paramanandam, Upadestharam Ishwaram,

Vyapakam, Sarvalokana, Karnam Tammnamamamamamamamamamamyaam So we are studying the Vedantic text Aparoaksha

written by Shankaracharya.

In studying Vedantana, in the practice of Vedanttha, you have three stages.

First is shravana, where you hear these truths from a teacher.

You study it systematically.

Manana, you reflect upon it, ask all the questions you've got to ask, clear up your doubts, get clarity.

And then finally, Nidhyasana, which means meditation.

The purpose of meditation in Vedantā, Adwaita Vedanta, is to assimilate the knowledge already gained in your study and reflection.

The knowledge already gained in Shravana and Manana.

What you got from your study, what you got clarity through your thinking.

Now you assimilate it by soaking it in, by remaining in this knowledge, by stabilizing yourself in this knowledge.

That's the purpose of Vedantic meditation.

Vedantic meditation is a little different from yogic meditation.

In yogic meditation, you have to sit.

You can't be moving around and doing other things.

You have to close your eyes from the world.

You have to take your senses away from the world and concentrate within and go within.

In Vedantic meditation, the purpose is not to shut out the world.

The purpose is not to shut down thoughts. Rather, you must think, you must

dwell on this knowledge. That's the simplest way I can put it. And it can be done in the

midst of all our actions. It can be done. It can also be done by sitting quietly.

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