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Audio Downloads of Daily Discussions on Karmayogi's Commentaries on Pride and Prejudice

  1. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    Mrs. Reynolds praises Darcy
    Principles: 
    Good-natured children grow up to be good natured Men- He was always the sweetest, most generous-hearted boy in the world
    Topics discussed: 
    Sunlit path, transformation, problems, we create our own lives
    Questions raised: 

    Darcy went out of his way and took initiative to transform himself. In life, if there is a difficult situation, people get into it somehow. Why does Darcy choose to get into this situation?
    The closer we get to Mother, the more intense the problems become. Ultimately, do the problems go away, or do we become oblivious?
    Why are we sometimes affected by problems created by people around us, why does that happen to us? Is it because of our association with them?

  2. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    The consequence of Elizabeth’s thoughts, feelings, words and acts
    Topics discussed: 
    We create our own lives
    Questions raised: 

    There is a lot of gap between taking a mental decision, and the final implementation. How do we get the vital and physical to accept a mental decision or idea?

  3. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    Mrs. Reynolds shows Elizabeth and the Gardiners around Pemberley
    Principles: 
    It is my master -- drawn eight years ago – She plays and sings all day long
    Topics discussed: 
    We create our own reality, social importance of people and news, consecration, organization, having favorites
    Questions raised: 

    How can we know about the falsehood in and around us?
    We say that the depth of the consecration must match the depth of the problem. Must we consecrate each small act just as we consecrate each big act?
    How is organization a bar to progress?
    If we are to not get stuck in our organization, get fixed in our way of thinking, what should we do?
    When there is a problem, how to calculate the victim's contribution? How can Lady Catherine see what her contribution is to Elizabeth-Darcy's marriage?
    What makes one give up his life for a political leader?

  4. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth is at Pemberley
    Principles: 
    She longed to inquire of the housekeeper whether her master was really absent – Mrs. Gardiner smiled at the news of Wickham, Elizabeth
    Topics discussed: 
    Accomplishment and wanting to not do wrong, self knowledge, courage, ignorance, acquiring a higher value and attaining perfection, grace and man's reaction to it, system and non-system
    Questions raised: 

    Can we distinguish real courage from foolish risk-taking by the person's behavior?
    If a person acts consciously and takes a risk knowing the consequences, can we call that courage?
    Explain the lines "Spiritually one completes the other. The courageous Man will not be recognized unless there are timid Men." Is what is true for courage true for other properties like ignorance as well?
    What will be the fun if there is no ignorance?
    What is the practical application of the line "A little of the higher plane will do, but that little must be perfect". Is this seen in Pride and Prejudice? What is the meaning of higher plane, if I am in the physical plane, do I take something from the vital plane and practice it?
    Doesn’t touching the higher plane require that we touch the spirit?
    Does grace comes in the form of abuse, does it mean we haven’t risen to the level of grace? If we rise, does grace come pleasantly?
    Does keeping Wickham's picture in Pemberley keep him in their lives?
    When a person who is better than us comes, we consider them as a threat and competition. How do we realize the person is grace?
    Why do Jane and Elizabeth receive unwanted visitors after marriage?
    Why does not one opportunity create another, why is it not a chain reaction?
    What happens to the souls when they submerge in non-being?
    What are the characteristics of the non-being in manifestation?
    Are the sky and other planets non beings?
    How is a person elevated when he goes to non-being?
    Why did the absolute send Mother and Sri Aurobindo earlier? Why didn’t they leave their imprint like this time, if they have always been here?
    What is the non-being, what state is that?
    Why should our aspiration be towards the creative force?
    Why did the absolute allow entry to non-being?

  5. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth feels she might have had to make sacrifices had she accepted Darcy’s proposal
    Principles: 
    “I might have myself rejoiced in them as my own” - “Welcomed to them my uncle and aunt as visitors”
    Topics discussed: 
    Consecration, non being, waking Samadhi, censor, guilty consciousness, Savitri, Shraddha, Shakti, Viryam, Deiva prakriti , nostalgia
    Questions raised: 

    Is getting into Samadhi considered as Non Being?
    Why is it called Waking Samadhi?
    When we consecrate completely, from all the depths, does that include the Non Being also?
    How to make the censor or feeling of guilt quiet? If I'm doing something I feel guilty about, and I want to dissolve the censor and act according to Mother's wishes, in that case am I dissolving the censor?
    How do I dissolve the censor without doing what is wrong?
    Every time one consults the psychic, will society not reject him?
    Everything is interconnected for spiritual growth. I have to get rid of ego and I have to practice non-reaction. Even to lose the censor, the ego needs to go. What do I do first?
    When I am prompted to pay people back in the same coin, is it the censor that prompts?
    When I am in two minds, what do I listen to, the vital or the mind?
    What is the meaning of nostalgia being a taste of ignorance?
    Is there a spiritual meaning for man being born of a woman?

  6. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    It occurs to Elizabeth that Pemberley might have been hers
    Principles: 
    The hill crowned with wood, from which they descended – I might have myself rejoiced in them as my own
    Topics discussed: 
    Marriage, the part and the whole, character, individuality, strength, wealth, Mother's peace and strength, opportunity and losing it, comprehensive preciseness, Brahman, Purusha, Prakriti, Ishwara, self-indulgence and self-discovery, being and non-being
    Questions raised: 

    What should the woman do, what is her role in marriage? From the man's point of view, if he wants to convert marriage to romance, should he make more money, since that is his role?
    What is comprehensive preciseness?
    "In the human choice God emerges in Man as Man enjoys God in ignorance." What does that mean?

  7. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth admires Pemberley
    Principles: 
    The housekeeper, a respectable looking elderly woman, much less refined and more civil than she had any notion of finding her - She went to a window to enjoy the prospect
    Topics discussed: 
    Defects and correcting them, serving Karmayogi's cause, Brahman, Purusha, Prakriti, Ishwara, idealism, silence
    Questions raised: 

    There are so many deficiencies in us, how can we know each one of them?
    Should I concentrate on one defect and try to eradicate it, and then move to the next, or should I work on all of them at the same time?
    In the process of past consecration, we want to erase our past wrongs. Can Mother erase others' ill will towards us also?
    Should we compensate for a loss we have caused another, as otherwise they will have a grudge against us and that will prevent us from accomplishing?
    Will Mother gives us new situations where we can compensate for the harm we caused?
    Can we compensate another with our attitude?
    What can Lydia do to compensate for the humiliation she has brought upon the family?
    What is the best way we can serve Appa's cause?
    Sankara was aware of the psychic being but didn’t know it was a growing spirit. What does that mean?
    Till what plane do we have our psychic being?
    Do Mother and Sri Aurobindo still have the psychic being?
    For what purpose was the psychic being created?
    After complete realization, what happens to the psychic being?
    Do we derive grace and everything from the psychic being?
    Is it true that the more ego we lose, the more individuality we gain?
    When you say that each supramental being is individual, does each portray a different characteristic?
    What do Mother and Sri Aurobindo express, what is their uniqueness as supramental beings? Why do they need the psychic being?
    Did the unmanifested absolute come to the manifestation to raise consciousness?
    What is the difference between service to the divine and service to the divine in man?
    By surrendering all our acts and words to Mother, do we serve the divine in the other people?

  8. Volume 3 Chapter 1

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth visits Pemberley
    Principles: 
    Elizabeth watched for the first appearance of Pemberley - Where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste
    Topics discussed: 
    Time for accomplishment, excitement, knowledge of life, relationship between quality of completion and quality of character of a person, grace and super grace
    Questions raised: 

    Is it possible to saturate the subconscious consciously?
    Why do we compare ourselves with others?
    Is life just?

  9. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth finds out if Darcy is currently at Pemberley
    Principles: 
    She asked the Chambermaid - with a proper air of indifference
    Topics discussed: 
    Initiative, spirit of contradiction, life movement, preference, strategy, attitude accomplishes, freedom, society
    Questions raised: 

    When can we take initiative?
    How can we decide whether to keep quiet, take initiative or oppose? Is opposing a boss taking initiative or taking responsibility?
    Our every act is based on our preference. What should we do to rise above our preference?

  10. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth wishes to avoid meeting Darcy
    Principles: 
    it would be better to speak to the aunt openly than to run the risk - As a last resource, if her private enquiries as to the absence of the family
    Topics discussed: 
    Practicing yoga, truth and falsehood, secrecy, determinism of life and human choice, limits of society
    Questions raised: 

    How can an average person practice yoga and lead my normal life?
    Can the superstructure exist without the foundation?
    What is the meaning of saying that everything up to now has been a preparation? 
    How can we be aware of the progress we make?
    How do we know which is our conscious desire and which is subconscious?
    If we know something ourselves, will that prevent us from having to hear it from others?
    How does becoming conscious solve problems? Jane is able to marry Bingley only after she realizes the truth about Caroline.
    When the security of the property is taken away by Collins' marriage to Charlotte, how is energy for greater gain released?
    If Mr. Bennet had saved money, a son would have been born. How does being prepared for a problem help?
    What is the rule of secrecy, does it help or hurt?
    Is Elizabeth's overcoming prejudice, and Darcy's overcoming his pride their progress in this lifetime?
    Which is better, allowing life to take its course and transform us, or transforming ourselves?
    Will Mother come in manifestation again?
    Can a soul rise above the social conditions into which it is born? Does this apply to Elizabeth and Darcy?
    When we see others believing in astrology and numerology, does it mean we also believe in such things? How do we move away from such methods?

  11. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth is hesitant to go to Pemberley
    Principles: 
    Wickham passed all his youth there - She blushed at the very idea
    Topics discussed: 
    Life Divine, social evolution, non being, wealth, poverty, response to grace
    Questions raised: 

    When Mrs. Bennet had planned for the trip to Netherfield on horseback as an opportunity for Jane, how does it become an opportunity for Elizabeth? Jane spends hardly any time with Bingley, Elizabeth and Darcy are the ones who spend time together.
    We see Jane is unsuccessful all along, only when Elizabeth succeeds with Darcy do things turn around for Jane. Why is that?
    Throughout the story, either Jane or Elizabeth is happy at any point of time. One is disappointed when the other is succeeding. Why?
    Doesn’t Lydia have enough energy to pull Kitty down along with her?
    With each generation, the issues and problems seems to be getting more and more difficult to address, resolve. Is that how it will be, can that be avoided?
    How is it that the soul is in a position to accept something from a man, but not from a woman?
    Can a woman's need for property lead one to Pemberley?
    Is dread a right thing or a wrong thing?
    What should Elizabeth's mindset have been before visiting Pemberley, what should she have felt instead of dread?
    If Elizabeth had praised Pemberley, would not Darcy have mistaken her?
    What should our attitude be towards people who do not have goodwill towards us? Being truthful in that case might harm us.
    What is involution?
    Is it very vital to feel pain in the dream?

  12. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Mrs. Gardiner suggests visiting Pemberley
    Principles: 
    Suitableness which comprises of health and temper to bear inconveniences - Should you not like to see the place of which you have heard so much
    Topics discussed: 
    Suitability as a strategy for accomplishment, spiritual growth, Mother, attainment of a family, grace, Seabiscuit, freedom, ultimate goal, human choice
    Questions raised: 

    How do pollution and crises tell us we are not social animals?
    How should we think, should we always aim for spiritual achievement?
    If we rise spiritually, does the horizontal accomplishment come by itself?
    What is the meaning of the statement "What with the Brahman,  Sachchidananda, moksha in India as reliability in public or private life is nil"?
    What is meant by "seeing the human greatness in the spouse" and how does it raise our inner worth?
    Is it a foolproof thing that the one we need for our progress only comes to us in marriage?
    When our soul has predetermined what it wants to undergo, how can the choice we make in marriage make a difference?
    What our soul decides, is it based on our karma?
    If the spirit has decided that in his birth he is going to lose a lot of money, can he escape that in life?
    If the potential is in nature, how is one person born as Lydia, and another as Elizabeth?
    Do we have opportunity to receive beyond our potential? What about those who don’t know Mother?

  13. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth leaves for her holiday in Derbyshire with the Gardiners
    Principles: 
    With the mention of Derbyshire, many ideas were connected - Man got his prosperity from land and factory
    Topics discussed: 
    Memory, remembering Mother, ambition, consciousness, expectation, time and space, giving to others, supramental resourcefulness, society as an organization, progress by shedding the ego
    Questions raised: 

    Why would Japan go back to monarchy? Is monarchy better for Japan?  Is Japan a new culture?
    What is the reason for indolence, laziness, inertia? Is it that the body doesn’t accept what the mind wants? Why is Mr. Bennet lazy? Darcy seems to have a good balance of inertia and promptness.
    If we give knowledge to others, we appear vain. We succeed very little. Then what should we do if want to give anything to others?
    "He who accomplishes and is not unwilling to offer the knowledge to those who ask for it will succeed in very little measure." If we take Coca Cola or Microsoft, they are very successful, how is their success explained in light of this principle?
    Looking back, we are able to understand subtle indications. When something is happening, when we get the indications, how can we find what they indicate? What should we do to be able to see and understand the indications?

  14. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth’s vacation plans change
    Principles: 
    the leisure and comfort built on” – Mrs. Gardiner’s letter to Elizabeth - It was her business to be satisfied and her temper to be happy
    Topics discussed: 
    Leisure, obligation, moksha, chance, money, money-back guarantee, wastage, to be happy, problem
    Questions raised: 

    Are accepting an obligation and not taking initiative contradictory?
    Did Darcy accept an obligation, or take initiative in saving Lydia?
    Is there a difference between the buddhist concept of bodhisattava and Sri Aurobindo’s saying that Moksha is a petty aim?
    How does Sears make up for the loss it incurs by allowing money back guarantee?
    Consciously can we direct our dream?

  15. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth’s holiday plans change
    Principles: 
    Everything wore a happier aspect. Summer finery and engagements arose - at once delayed its commencement and curtailed its extent
    Topics discussed: 
    Catastrophe, betrayal, solution to problems, perfection of the part, government, society and development, human choice for progress at every moment, grumbling, progress, ego, ignorance, illusion, delay, accomplishment, cancellation, expressing, wisdom
    Questions raised: 

    When a catastrophe may turn out to be an opportunity, what should our attitude be, whenever anything happens?
    How is it that material objects are more receptive than our swabhava?
    What is the root of our grumbling, how does it get into us, how do we start it?
    If Elizabeth had not reacted with embarrassment, could the temporary separation have been avoided?

  16. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Normalcy returns to Longbourn and Meryton after the militia’s departure
    Principles: 
    Lydia promised to write to her mother very often very minutely - After three weeks of her absence health, good humour and cheerfulness began to reappear in Longbourn
    Topics discussed: 
    Goodwill, sense mind, novel, letter writing, culture, work, violation of social norms, falsehood
    Questions raised: 

    What is the future of novel writing?

  17. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth looks forward to her holiday to the Lakes
    Principles: 
    Kitty might regain the natural degree of sense, since the disturbers of her brain are removed - could she have included Jane in the tour, the plan would be perfect
    Topics discussed: 
    Evolution, The Life Divine, dualities, perfection, faith
  18. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth reflects on her family
    Principles: 
    Talents rightly directed would have preserved the respectability of the daughters - mother and sister whose constant repining at the dullness of everything around
    Topics discussed: 
    Respectability and accomplishment, complementarity, family, mental growth, observation, sacrifice, act, choice
    Questions raised: 

    How do we find out where our family is lacking?
    Does observing from our point of view create problems?

  19. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Elizabeth reflects on her family
    Principles: 
    the continued breach of conjugal obligations and decorum – “ill-judged direction of talents” – Austen on Mr. Bennet
    Topics discussed: 
    Raising one's consciousness, marriage, correspondences, transformation, retaliation, affection, obligation, disease, harmony, health, entertainment, television, dissipation of energy
    Questions raised: 

    How can we raise our consciousness?
    When someone is wrong, how do we find the correspondence in us?
    Is watching TV good or bad?
    How does watching TV dissipate our energy?
    Why do we feel sleepy and without energy when we want to do something serious?

  20. Volume 2 Chapter 19

    Context in the novel: 
    Mr. Bennet’s marriage
    Principles: 
    He was fond of the country and of books - grateful for his affectionate treatment of herself
    Topics discussed: 
    Revolution and evolution, ascent and descent, parent and child, attention
    Questions raised: 

    What is the meaning of the line "Its ultimate enjoyment is in Matter represented by the human body"?



by Dr. Radut