Self-Study: Decoding YOU… the Upaniṣad Way: Īśopaniṣad

In this one-of-a-kind course, we explore the magnificent Īśopaniṣad from a practical and applicable standpoint.

The Īśopaniṣad is one of the principal Upaniṣads and is from the Yajurveda. Its name is derived from the phrase īśā vāsyam, which means enveloped or hidden by the Self (or Īśvara or the Lord). This short and concise text discusses concepts such as vidyā (knowledge) and avidyā (ignorance) and puṇya (virtue) and pāpa (sin), which require exquisite discernment in daily practice. No matter what path one is on, this Upaniṣad is highly relevant and is bound to deepen understanding and lead to insights that will influence every aspect of practice and life.

This course is co-taught by Dr. Sumit Kesarkar and Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan.

In this course, you will learn to chant the Īśopaniṣad and explore the text in a verse-by-verse fashion through practical examples and techniques immediately applicable in the moment-to-moment unfolding of life.

All classes are pre-recorded. The course includes videos (not downloadable), audios (downloadable), and extensive course materials.

There are no prerequisites for this course. However, one of the following courses may be useful:

Self Study: Śivoham! Cultivating Awareness and Insight
Self Study: Durgā Sūktam

Upon enrollment, a link is provided for a 50% off discount for the Śivoham Self-Study Course. Please note that there are no discounts for the Durgā Sūktam course.

No refunds will be issued once purchased. Thank you for your understanding.

Course Logistics:

All sessions are pre-recorded.

Cost:

$199 (30% off for Śabda Saṅgha members)

Workshop Instructors

Dr. Sumit Ashok Kesarkar  is a Vaidya (doctor) of Āyurveda. A renaissance man, he is also the founder of the National Library of Ayurveda Medicine, where he has poured his knowledge into building a first-of-its-kind, searchable online database and study modules on ancient Āyurvedic formulations. You’ll often find him in the lap of the Himalayas, traversing across India while working towards the conservation of medicinal plants, local health traditions, and ancient Hatha Yoga practices. His youtube travel vlog documents his Himalayan journeys, where you’ll find a wealth of Āyurvedic information through the lens of a yogi and doctor. Demystifying arcane Vedas, Tantra and Yoga to make them accessible to all remains his life's work. Dr. Kesarkar also teaches the process of simplifying and decoding Vedic Sciences to practically apply them conjunct with modern-day methodologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) as a guiding force in developing sophisticated systems. This extends to a research-oriented lifestyle program that can be found at whiskybaba.in, where he has explained the health benefits of single malt whisky by experimentation and application of Āyurvedic Algorithms. Do read his book on the health benefits of single malt whisky, which for many is an easing in to Āyurveda. Recently, he has launched  ‘theSoundBreath’  program that offers application-based learning of mantra, breath and yantra. Discover the immense wisdom he has to share on  drsumit.in.

Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan is a Cardiologist, Professor of Medicine and the founder of Śabda Institute. She is the author of Shakti Rising (Nonduality Press, October 2017) that won the Nautilus Gold Award for Best Books of 2017, Glorious Alchemy: Living the Lalitā Sahasranāma (New Sarum Press, UK, 2020) and The Heart of Wellness (Sfaim Press, 2020). Her next book, Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra will be released in early 2022. 

Testimonial

The teachings supports my drive to practice; helps break my inner barriers to surrender; gives my mind new things to do; listening and chanting the verses helps me stay immersed throughout the day…and strangely my mind has been so quiet my application of the material is mostly historical. It is a wonder.

This course was absolutely incredible. Kavitha Amma and Sumitji are a powerhouse of vidya, and they both share the wisdom in completely accessible ways that I can apply to every situation in my life. I will use the algorithm that Kavitha Amma shared with us, which was a brilliant tool for both summarizing the Isopanishad as well as applying this incredible Upanishad to practical life situations. Thank you doesn’t even come close to saying how grateful I am.

The course has given me precious tools to understand my own inner landscape. It has helped me understand my relationship with the world and given me practical tips to find balance and stability in my life. 

The course has helped me to understand the value of a spiritual practice that empowers me to navigate life in meaningful, practical and creative ways. I feel enthused to apply these timeless teachings in my daily life to work with my limiting patterns and seek clarity and freedom from the inner confusion that happens due to conflicting ideas and desires. It has been a very rich and satisfying experience overall, both through the detailed presentation of the material and the incredible dynamic between the teachers. Thank you very much for this incredible course!

This course took very esoteric teachings and made them understandable and applicable. It helped me understand some points I find challenging on the spiritual path. Explanations around the aim for perfection rather than the goal, on Sambhuti & Asambhuti were particularly helpful. I would not have gained nearly such an understanding had I just read the Isha Upanishad. I really enjoyed how Kavithaji pulled it all together in summary with a simple algorithm.

This course was amazingly rich, unveiling teachings that are profound and timeless. The way Kavithaji and Sumitji presented the material, together with the insightful Q&A sessions and lively discussion forum, meant I found ways to immediately apply and benefit from the teachings in my daily life. Thank you so much for sharing this wisdom with us.

I think this idea that continues to act in our daily life, while also understanding that we don’t know how the ripple will occur on a non-linear scale is a powerful one. And that there are almost infinite choices within the choices, and that we just continue to reorient with awareness to what is in front of us…this in some way helps me to feel I can release a certain amount of pressure to “get it right”, and instead allow for a bit more peace in the process.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available on an as-needed basis. Please apply here.

Continuing Education for Yoga Teachers

Our courses, both live and self-study, can be used towards Yoga Alliance Continuing Education requirements for all RYTs already registered with Yoga Alliance. Go here for how to upload your hours. 

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