Question:

I’ve been searching for the truth for a long time. I’ve explored a lot of paths — from “human-worship” and “guru-as-celebrity” types to “academic monk” approaches, “ritual-heavy” traditions, and even hopping from one religion or temple to another. What I’ve really been looking for is a path where people are serious about genuine self-study, not just scriptural recitation. I feel incredibly lucky to find someone who doesn’t call herself a Guru — and honestly, that’s what makes me trust you even more. If someone living a regular life can see the truth, it gives me confidence that I can too.

Could you share some guidance on how I should start my self-study through your website? Thank you for making all of this available so freely and for helping simple people like me who are trying to find an authentic way forward.

Answer:

Welcome to the Self-Study path or the Swadhyaya marga. The purpose of Gnyana Sangha was always to be a platform for the earnest student of true inner spirituality based on direct seeing. Anyone can see it if they pay enough attention to it.

Step 1: The beginner on this path must first ensure establishment in the Advaita Vedanta basics. Here is the Gnyana Sangha website curriculum link – Advaita Level 1 – Basics

• • You can begin with the basics by watching the videos on the website at your own pace.
  • You can also request a weekly Zoom session so that the mind is held accountable to study on a weekly basis – questions4ekta@gmail.com.
  • If you want, you can host the Zoom session, and others can benefit too. Zoom training can be provided – Seva4GnyanaSangha@Gmail.Com.

Step 2: Decide on a path that you want to follow from the options below and begin watching the videos on the website at your own pace, or request a weekly Zoom session:

Option A: Adi Shankaracharya’s Path

1. 1. Drg Drishya Viveka: Teachings by Adi Shankaracharya on Seer and Seen
   2. Adhyaasa Drishti: Teachings by Adi Shankaracharya on Superimposition or Adhyaasa Bhashya – First Chapter of Brahma Sutras – Based on the Book It’s A Rope, Not A Snake.
   3. Advaita Self-Enquiry Meditations
   4. Adhyaasa Drishti – Self Explorations
   5. Viveka Cūḍāmaṇi: Teachings by Adi Shankaracharya on the discrimination between the Self and Non-Self – [To be uploaded]

Option B: Ramana Maharshi’s Path

1. 1. Self-enquiry Theory: Teachings by Ramana Maharshi on Atma Vichara theory
   2. Self-enquiry Practice: Teachings by Ramana Maharshi on Atma Vichara practice
   3. The Guru: Teachings by Ramana Maharshi on the Guru
   4. The Nature of the Self: Teachings by Ramana Maharshi on the Nature of the Self
   5. Who Am I: Teachings by Ramana Maharshi [Videos to be uploaded] Based on the Book I: Ko’Ham Drishti
   6. I-I: Teachings by Ramana Maharshi on the Self [Videos to be uploaded] Based on the Book
   7. Ramana Maharshi’s self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Option C: Nisargadatta Maharaj’s Path:

1. 1. I AM THAT Level 1 – Ch 1 – 8
   2. I AM THAT Level 2 – Ch 9 – 13
   3. I AM THAT Level 3 – Ch 14 – 19
   4. I AM THAT Level 4 – Ch 20 – 22
   5. I AM THAT Level 5 – Ch 23 – 25
   6. I AM THAT Level 6 – Ch 26 – 28
   7. I AM THAT Level 7 – Ch 29 onwards
   8. I AM THAT self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Option C: Atmananda Krishnamenon’s Path

Atma Nirvriti

1. 1. Atma Nirvriti Ch 1 – 9
   2. Atma Nirvriti Ch 10 – 16
   3. Atma Nirvriti Ch 17 – 21
   4. Atma Nirvriti Ch 22 – 23
   5. Atma Nirvriti self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Atma Darshan 

1. 1. Atma Darshan – Sem 1
   2. Atma Darshan – Sem 2
   3. Atma Darshan – Sem 3
   4. Atma Darshan – Sem 4
   5. Atma Darshan self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Option D: Upanishads Path

Ashtavakra Samhita, also known as Ashtavakra Upanishad

1. 1. Ashtavakra Samhita for the Ajaata vaadin – Sem 1
   2. Ashtavakra Samhita for the Ajaata vaadin – Sem 2
   3. Ashtavakra Samhita for the Ajaata vaadin – Sem 3
   4. Ashtavakra Samhita for the Ajaata vaadin – Sem 4

Ishavasya Upanishad 

1. 1. Ishavasya Upanishad

Mandukya Upanishad

1. 1. Mandukya Upanishad – Sem 1
   2. Mandukya Upanishad – Sem 2
   3. Mandukya Upanishad self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Rāma Gītā Upaniṣad based on the Book Black Hole of Equanimity: Rama Drishti: Direct Seeing of Rama Gita

1. 1. Rama Drishti – Sem 1
   2. Rama Drishti – Sem 2
   3. Rama Drishti – Sem 3
   4. Rama Drishti self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Option E: Saint Kabir’s Path

1. Saint Kabir’s Teachings on Love
2. Saint Kabir’s Teachings on Death
3. Saint Kabir’s Teachings on Visishtha Advaita Level I
4. Saint Kabir’s Teachings on Visishtha Advaita Level II
5. Saint Kabir’s self-enquiry and self-exploration meditations

Option F: Swapna Nidra Gnyana Sadhana Path

1. 1. Guru Tattva Drishti based on the book Guru Tattva Drishti: Be Spiritually Independent Because There Is No External Guru
   2. Wake-Dream-Sleep Wisdom Insight Path [Videos to be uploaded] based on the Books:
      • Level I – Spiraling Avenues: Waking, Dreaming, Sleeping, Being
      • Level II – Beyond the Veil of Sleep and Dream
   3. Guru Tattva Drishti – Self Explorations
   4. Gurukul Samadhi sittings with the aid of Self-Explorations

Option G: Buddha’s Path

Beginner:

1. 1. Buddha Beginner Basics
   2. Buddha Vows
   3. Buddha Beginners Level 1-1
   4. Buddha Beginners Level 1-2
   5. Buddha Beginners Level 1-3
   6. Buddha Beginners Retreat [Anapana]

Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, and Master Levels can be accessed after the Buddha Beginners retreat.

Step 3: After completing any six of the exam sessions listed above, you become eligible to apply for the Gurukul program. There, you’ll receive personalized mentorship and engage in reflective spiritual journal writing. The Gurukul curriculum includes in-person study of new Advaita scriptures—an immersive process that supports the release of old conditioning and deepening of your direct realization of truth.