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Who are you, really?
What is the dream you need to awaken from?
And what is the Reality you are to awaken to?
The Upaniṣads are ancient transmissions of inner awakening—texts that unveil the Self, illuminate the karmic web of rebirth, and offer a vision of liberation not as escape, but as recognition. Drawing from key scriptures including the Bṛhadāraṇyaka, Chāndogya, Kaṭha, Muṇḍaka, Taittirīya, and Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣads, this course leads the seeker through the core teachings of ātman (the Self), karma, and mokṣa (liberation).
The Upaniṣads are India’s most luminous scriptures—texts not of dogma, but of direct awakening. They do not teach you what to believe; they invite you to remember what you are. In radiant, paradoxical phrases and intimate dialogues, they point beyond appearances toward the unchanging Self that underlies all experience.
This four-module course explores the central teachings of the Upaniṣads, focusing on three pillars of the Indian wisdom tradition: the Supreme Self (ātman), the law of karma, and the path of liberation (mokṣa). Drawing on key wisdom teachings, this course guides you through the Upaniṣadic process of unlearning, unveiling, and ultimately, awakening.
Each session blends mythic insight, philosophical clarity, and meditative depth, offering a space for sacred inquiry into the nature of selfhood, suffering, and spiritual freedom.
Whether you’re a teacher, seeker, or simply curious about the foundations of Indian spirituality, this course offers a clear and powerful pathway into the heart of the tradition.
By the end of this course you will be able to
- Understand the Upaniṣadic vision of the Self (ātman) as the unchanging witness behind thought, body, and identity
- Grasp the karmic mechanics of saṃsāra, including the role of desire, subtle body continuity, and ethical conduct
- Reflect on core Upaniṣadic teachings such as neti neti, tat tvam asi, and the turīya state as tools for spiritual discernment
- Map the layers of selfhood (pañca kośa) and learn how they veil and reveal the Real
- Explore the inner path of liberation through meditation, self-inquiry, and sacred listening (śravaṇa)
- Recognize the qualities of the jīvanmukta, and contemplate what it means to awaken fully while still in the world
This course consists of 4 incredibly rich live Zoom sessions, recorded if you can't make it.
June 5, 2025 3pm-4pm
June 12, 2025 3pm-4pm
June 19, 2025 3pm-4pm
June 26, 2025 3pm-4pm
This 4-part online course is taught by renowned scholar, storyteller and traditional wisdom lineage holder Dr. Raj Balkaran. He shares the fruit of hundreds of hours of living wisdom training and scholarship on Sanskrit texts, which he has been studying and integrating for over 20 years.
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Course Structure
Module 1: The Self Supreme
Module 2: Seeing Saṃsāra
Module 3: Shedding the Sheaths
Module 4: Living Liberation
6+ Hours of Video Lessons
Valuable for the simply curious, longtime yogis, expert practitioners and everyone in between
Downloadable Notes
Easily follow along with and refer back to the class slides
Access Anytime, Anywhere
Whether day or night, wherever you are, you have forever access to this on-demand course
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Applications
Learn mantra and other techniques to apply teachings to your life
Join The Indian Wisdom School
Become a part of our community and gain access to exclusive events and lessons
Yoga Alliance Credit
This course counts as 4 hours of YA Continuing Education Credit
"I first came across Dr. Balkaran through his work with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and have since taken a number of courses with him, all of which have been fabulous. Dr. Balkaran has a gift for synthesizing complex information and teaches with a storytelling style that supports comprehension."
Natalie Rousseau
Yoga Educator
"Dr. Balkaran is a teacher who understands the needs and quests of today’s spiritual seekers and practitioners and his School is a unique and a much-awaited opportunity for any interested-minded students to access the complex realm of the Indian philosophy and mythology explained in an approachable and engaging manner."
Aijan Kenenbaeva
Yoga Practitioner and Hinduism Student
"As a graduate student in the blossoming field of Yoga Studies, I cannot express the proper gratitude for Dr. Raj and his method of mystical swagger. He has tremendously assisted my personal understanding of inherently foreign concepts embedded within Indian wisdom and myth."
Dustin Nicholas Holmes
Naropa University, Wisdom Traditions
M.A. Yoga Studies
"I have greatly enjoyed taking Dr. Balkaran’s online classes! His style of presenting content is a rich synthesis of rigorous academic scholarship and his own experiential insights which add depth, humor and clarity to the often misconstrued concepts of Indian mythology."
Srinalini Sankar
French Teacher and Lifelong Student
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Raj Balkaran is the founder of The Indian Wisdom School, scholar, and author of the popular book The Stories Behind the Poses. He teaches a number of courses through the Indian Wisdom School, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Yogic Studies, and Embodied Philosophy. He also hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast.
Before becoming a scholar, Dr. Balkaran was initiated into Indian Wisdom Traditions by multiple lineal teachers and apprenticed with a renowned Indian spiritual master for twelve years. For the past two decades, he has been immersed in daily spiritual practice and study, cultivating a deep understanding of these traditions.
