Upanishad - Ishavasya, Kena, Katha, Yogasara (Commentary by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar)

The Upanishad means sitting close, feeling close to the Guru, being “in rhythm; with the Master. The Upanishads are a treasure trove of knowledge unveiling the Highest truth of life. But this Truth is hidden in verses, a mere reading or even logical understanding. Will not help decipher. Gurudev seri Sri Ravi Shankar makes these four Upanishads come alive with such simplicity and wit, that they no longer remain ancient esoteric scriptures.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual leader and world - renowned humanitarian, was born in 1956 in Southern India. He was often found deep in meditation as a child. At the age of four, he astonished his teachers by reciting the Bhagavad Gita. To globalize the knowledge of leading a happy, stress-free life, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar established an international educational and humanitarian NGO - The Art of Living, in 1982. Today, with a presence in over 156 countries, The Art of Living is one of the largest voluntary organizations in the world.

Gurudev: You may ask some questions. What do you want to listen to today? Hmm?

fA man in the audience says, "The Upanishad!"] Gurudev: The Upanishad? This is the Upanishad!

"Upanishad " is sitting close - sitting close to the Master, not just physically, but also mentally and we're all sitting very close, physically and mentally!

Now, what does "sitting close" or "mentally sitting close" to the Master mean?

It means understanding the words of the Master. Some things single expression, capable of totally expressing what they feel. But sitting close to the Master (that is Upanishad), you catch many things. You catch the inexpressible, you catch something that is indescribable. Here, words are simply a vehicle; a lot more flows between the words-energy moves, grace moves, joy noves and that transforms life.

There is an innate tendency to unite because to love is unite.

So what does "love" mean?

It is the tendency to unite, to become one. To become one with what? What is this tendency to mite?

In this entire creation, there is a tendency to become 'one': to get back to "one': because "two" is painful. Going rom two to one is the purpose of creation. Everything wants to merge into something but what is that?

We call that love. The Rishis called it "Yoga". So "Yoga" means union, uniting, but uniting what? That is what we will see in this Yogasara Upanishad.