Newsletter January 21, 2009

Past Events

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Synopsis of Last Week's Classes

Friday - Bhagwad Gita - Jan. 16
Ch. 3- Verses 21-26: Sri Ramakrishna said the essence of the Gita is "Tagi"--to give up clinging to what is not real. Although we can intellectually grasp that we must give up our attachment to the world, the mind wants to keep clinging. Knowing Arjuna's inclination to avoid doing his duty of fighting the war, and knowing that the rationale of spiritual evolution through the performance of unattached work may not be enough to make Arjuna fight (for he may think that he is beyond that stage), Krishna gives another reason: as a wise person and role model, Arjuna must set a good example. If he does not fight, the other soldiers will also refuse, and then Arjuna will be responsible for the harm that comes to them. Krishna himself works in this way. Since he is Lord, he needs nothing and has no duties; he does not need to work. However, because others are following his example, he is continuously working, in order to lead people to the Truth.
Krishna then returns to the subject of proper work, which is advantageous because by working in this way one can avoid forming samskaras and thus will be free from bondage. We do not have to change the actions but the attitude with which we do the actions.

Sunday - Symposium on Swami Vivekananda - Jan. 18
On the occasion of birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, this symposium was organized.
Shekhar Krishnan, a final year graduate-student at Ann Arbor, Michigan spoke about Swami Vivekananda's message of awakening faith in oneself based on the inner divinity which is present in each of us and connects all of us. He mentioned the writings of Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist who induced this deep faith and spirituality in other co-prisoners in the most painful and dehumanized situations of Nazi concentration camp. This faith in oneself can be cultivated by serving others selflessly.
Kevin Phat, a senior Highschool student spoke about Swami Vivekananda's message of physical fortitude, faith in oneself and true education and how he tries to apply these noble thoughts in his own life. Faith in oneself comes from that education which imparts 'life building, man making assimilation of ideas'.
Rev. Ann C. Fox, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven, MA spoke about 'Vivekananda's influence on American Thought'. Swami Vivekananda brought spirituality to America when it was confined in the narrow limits of organized religions. Theologian Paul Tillich describes God as ground of all being. The speaker also mentioned Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong who calls for a fundamental rethinking of Christian belief and Diana Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion at the Harvard University and the author of "Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banaras".
Swami Yogatmananda in concluding remarks said that in America, Swami Vivekananda's influence is growing in different religious groups, churches, movements and also on non-religious platforms like scientific forums.

Tuesday - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - Jan. 20

People came to Sri Ramakrishna because they had problems, felt despair, and felt there must be something beyond this seemingly meaningless living. Why Sri Ramakrishna? Because he is fulfilled, without having anything that ordinarily people run after. Sri Ramakrishna is asking about certain disciples. He asks about Mahendra Mukerji and why he hasn't visited lately. M replies "He's practicing jnana yoga". The Master doesn't think so but rather thinks it's rather guilt that Mahendra didn't send a carriage when he said he would. Haripada speaks of Girish who has undergone a transformation and is all the time preoccupied with the Master. We also find that Sri Ramakrishna can't touch any metal without feeling great pain. He can't use his regular metal drinking cup anymore. This could be a twofold message. One: There are no more possessions and Two: coins are made from metal, so no more association with money.