The second meeting of our Advaita summer discussion group occurred about 2 weeks ago. Before I completely forget what transpired, here is a brief synopsis. It is not explanatory and is only for my own notes.

• The different notions of "god" in different systems. The standard usage of the term. The concept of an anthropomorphic transcendant creationist god and an impersonal transcendant immanent reality.
• The difference between monist (advaita like) systems and monotheistic (Christianity, Vaishnavism etc.) systems. The similarity between the Judeo/Chrisian/Islamic (JCI) religions and Vaishnavism on one hand and between the Oriental systems and Advaita on the other hand.
• The concept of "Be here now". Its confusion with laziness.
• Should a human being necessarily "contribute" something to the "society". If so, is usability to others the only way to contribute?
• The preliminary definitions of bondage and liberation in Yoga Vasishta. The life-embracing implications from a samsaric view point of these definitions (as opposed to monastic implications)
• Not getting hung up on the "limitations" of personal theistic systems.
• Why is it easy to do "evil" rather than "good" ?
• The relativity of moral values.
• The distinction between what is real, and, what is good for you to lead a happy fulfilling life.