Newsletter February 18, 2009

Past Events

Synopsis of Last Week's Classes

Friday - Bhagwad Gita - Feb. 13
Ch. 3- Verses 31 - 34: Sri Krishna tells that if one follows his advice always with faith he will be freed from bondage; those who, out of ego/ hatred don't practice his teaching are doomed. This is not like a threat issued by imposing dictators but warning about what happens if one goes with or against an expert advice on most crucial matters. At the end of the 'Sermon on the Mount' too, Lord Jesus warns his disciples in the same manner. Only He, who has knowledge that's beyond the limitations of body & mind, can safely direct us towards Realization. In the Lord's advice, there is no possibility of mistake or ill-motive; it will surely lead us to liberation. If we don't follow it, we are shooting ourselves in the foot.
Speed/pattern of spiritual progress varies due to constitutional variations in persons. No use coercing people to follow something against their constitutions. Even in the wise, realized souls, the expression of the knowledge varies according to constitution. However, it's not the speed with which we pursue our goal matters, but the direction and sincerity of the effort we put in. If we follow Lord's advice, progress WILL be made!
Very interesting Q/A followed regarding the meaning of 'wise', 'constitution' etc.

Sunday - Eating Through All Mouths - Swami Yogatmananda - Feb. 15
Who eats? Body is just an insentient instrument which processes the food. Mind is another instrument - a finer one - that moves the body, just like the software moving the hardware. Again food and the instrument with which food is eaten (i.e. body) are same matter; their roles interchange with time. Upanisads define food (Anna) as that which is eaten and which eats too! Vedanta says that the One unified consciousness alone exists and that the division between eater and eaten is seen because of ignorance. Innumerable multiplicity in the universe is purely an arbitrary division created by these three things - subject, object and subject-object relationship. Again subject and object are interchangeable terms. Our different sensory organs are different mouths for taking in different things such as form, sound, smell, taste and touch. Just as one uses different machines for one's work, similarly all bodies and minds are different machines being used by The One Being and that is the Self of all - the all pervading 'IS-ness' - the God. We are different only on the level of body and mind; our real 'I' is One-without-second. To gain this ultimate knowledge, one has to give up holding on to the limited things, calling them 'mine'. The story of Raiqva in Chandogya Upanisad illustrates that the person who experiences the same Self everywhere gets merits acquired by each and every being in the universe. Bhagawad Gita also describes Oneness of consciousness as the One Being having heads, hands, feet, eyes, ears etc. everywhere. Swami Vivekananda forcefully presents this message: '..You are the Soul of this universe. You are the sun, moon, and stars; it is you that are shining everywhere…' '..It is I who am living the life of the whole universe; I am eating through all the mouths..' We see practical demonstration of this philosophy in the life Sri Ramakrishna. The only way to attain ultimate peace, bliss and immortality is to experience this truth.

Tuesday - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - Feb. 17

There were several good answers to last week's question as to why Sri Ramakrishna couldn't touch metal. The most important is the connection (in those days paper currency was not in vogue) metal'coin'money. This was anathema to the Master. Ramakrishna was always blissful because his happiness came from inside. Scholars, spiritual teachers, and his disciples came to his room and they would all feel the flow of that bliss. Often he would tell the solution of one's problem and go into samadhi. He told Girsh: "You had better argue this point with Narendra" referring to: 'can God incarnate in a human body'. Ramakrishna used some lovely analogies likening an incarnation to the udder of a cow. The most important thing is to get the milk. One has only to realize God, why worry about knowing Him? If a person touches the Ganges at any place, he or she has certainly touched the river. There is no need to touch the entire length and breadth of it! He was aware of his divinity while acting as man; we are not aware of our own, but by watching Sri Ramakrishna in his divine play, perhaps we too can say, "That fellow looks human and he is divine. Maybe, we too are."