Excellence Reporter: Dr. Frawley, what is the meaning of life?

David Frawley: Life is its own meaning, which is rooted in the ground of existence that we seldom notice.

Life arises from our own inner being as an expression of a deeper immortal nature at our secret core.

In this sense, life is more than any living being or even more than the lives of all creatures. All living beings are participating in the greater movement of life, which is the dance of eternity.

We need not seek meaning in what we do, in the recognition given by others, or in the property that we might accumulate. Meaning is inherent in who we are and what we are, which is not a transient living creature, but the universal life itself in its stream of manifestations rooted in the unmanifest. All life is our life, which is not limited to any name or form.

How then do we make our lives more meaningful? By being open to the meaning that is inherent in nature and in our own hearts, which is that everything is meaningful, with each thing a mirror of the universe as a whole.

Separate meanings created by the mind are artificial and superficial. They change with dictionary definitions and the pronunciation of words. The values constructed by thought ignore the inherent value of existence itself, and make certain things more important than others, diminishing the value of the whole.

True meaning has no explanation, formula or decipherment. It does not mean anything in particular or one thing as a opposed to another, it means everything. It gives light to all. True meaning is Self-existent. It is what it is, which is to be what all things are in essence as a flow of grace.

The separate self takes away meaning by trying to make itself and its possessions more important than others. This ultimately makes us feel empty. True Self-awareness gives meaning to all by recognizing the same life, consciousness and Self everywhere, which finds fullness on all sides.

True meaning is the unity of life, on which ocean we are playing, forgetting that it is our origin and end as well. We must remember to dive back into the sea, beyond words and thoughts. Then we will discover that fullness is all and is ever overflowing, peaceful and content.

Eternity is present at every moment in time. Infinity dwells at every location in space. The whole is present and overflowing in every part. We must remember that the essence is all. Then life can unfold without gain or loss, as we merge in and beyond all horizons.

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~Dr. David Frawley (Pandit  Vamadeva Shastri) D. Litt., is a western born teacher or guru in the Vedic tradition. In India, Vamadeva is recognized as a Vedacharya (Vedic teacher), and includes in his scope of studies Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedanta and Vedic astrology, as well as the ancient Vedic teachings going back to the oldest Rigveda.

Vamadeva is a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, one of the highest civilian awards granted by the government of India, “for distinguished service of a higher order to the nation,” honoring his work and writings as a Vedic teacher, which he received in March 2015.

He has a rare and prestigious D. Litt. (Doctor of Letters), the highest educational title possible in the field of Yoga and Vedic sciences, from SVYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana), the only deemed Yoga university recognized by the Government of India.

Dr. David Frawley is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies
www.vedanet.com

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