Oct 5th, 2026

Core Notes from This Week:

Review: Verses 1 and 2 of Upadesha Sara unpack the flaws with how we currently pursue happiness. To us, happiness is changing things around us to suit our own life more. Our happiness is founded on the belief that we have control over the results of our actions! 

In verse 1 – we learn, we don’t determine the results of our actions. God / Ishvara determines the results of our actions. 

Ishvara: the infinite web of all causes and all effects. The universe itself is ishvara. 

Verse 2: In the vast ocean of Actions, the cause for the fall of man is impermanent results; that is the barrier to progress.

• Before we engage in action, there must be a desire. What gave shape to that desire? Our unique set of likes and dislikes (our vasanas).
• Our likes and dislikes -> give shape to our desires. Our desires prompt us into action.
• Like: The association between something and our experience of joy. 
• Our actions reinforce our likes and dislikes. If we act in accordance to our likes and dislikes and get attached to the impermanent results, this leads us into the endless cycle of action.
• What’s wrong with chasing enjoyment? It’s endless! In the pursuit of our enjoyment – we strengthen our likes and dislikes, creating new ones, prompting us into more action.
• When we expect fulfillment from what we are doing – we will be looking forever. Our focus is on karma, action.

Law of Karma Side Tangent:

• The Law of Karma explains the reasons we experience the effects we do in life.
• The Law of Karma answers the question – what is the cause for these varied effects (ex: 2 sons born to a beggar or a king, a child prodigy)
  • Why can’t it be randomness / chance?
• Is randomness a valid explanation? What was the cause of the effect?
  Ex: with a coin flip – if we know ALL of the variables, we can determine the outcome. Randomness is a word we use to explain all the unknown variables. Randomness cannot be a cause for anything.

RAW for this week: Try to sleep in a different space.