Newsletter April 22, 2009

Past Events

1) Retreat on 'Vivekachudamani- Crest Jewel of Discrimination' - Sat. Apr. 18
Swami Shantarupananda, Head of Vedanta Society of Portland Oregon, delivered two discourses and question-answer session on 'Vivekachudamani' of Sri Shankaracharya, Swami gave brief definitions and examples of dualism, non-dualism and qualified non-dualism and explained that Vivekacudamani is a dialogue between Teacher and Student to guide one to Freedom using: 1) a Goal -Orientation method for liberation, 2) by possessing a proper sense of Reality that one is presently living in and 3) to understand the way to attain the liberation. The seven questions of the Student (verse 49) were read and anecdote-tips of these questions were presented using examples from Bhagavad-Gita and swamis from past.
In Discourse 2, Swami Shantarupananda discussed the seven questions (read in Discourse 1) in depth, referring to the specific verses in the book. He covered the three states of being, the five sheaths, and the theory of projection and transformation. Love sustains/unifies the universe as 'One; any negative emotion (hatred/jealousy/superiority etc) implies multiplicity. Gradual stripping away of all ignorant coverings results in Purity, Light and Bliss.

In Vedantic Tales, Swami Yogatmananda told the story of Rama as depicted by Tulsidas (Rama-charita-manasa) emphasizing the development of supreme devotion to the Lord by accepting EVERYTHING that comes your way (pleasant and unpleasant)as the Lord's sanction and to never harbor any form of ego -either superior or inferior-as a spiritual endeavor.

Seventy-two devotees attended the retreat, with the customary introductory chants and song; guided meditation, devotional music/singing; breaks; meals; the day concluding with singing with Sarva Mangala; chanting Sri Rama-Nama-Sankirtanam, and dinner.

2) Swami discussed Hinduism and Vedanta at a Philosophy class at UMASS/Dartmouth on Wed. Apr. 15th.

3) Swami conducted the monthly Bhagavad-Gita class (continuing ch 6) at the Sri Satyanarayana Hindu Temple, 10 Training Hill Rd, Middletown CT on Sun. April 19 from 10:30 - 11:30 AM.
4) On Sun. Apr. 19th,after Sunday Service lecture, from 6 PM - 7:30 PM, Amritpal Singh, from Milford MA Gurudwara Temple, performed SABAD: Sikh devotional music in the Vedanta Chapel; accompanied by Sukhwinder Singh on tabla and Siva on flute to about fifty persons. Ratna Mukherjee also sang hymns to Ramakrishna, with Amritpal Singh accompanying on tabla.

Please click here to see photos.

Synopsis of Last Week's Classes

Friday - Bhagwad Gita - April 17
Ch. 4- Verses 9-10: Lord Krishna is telling that there is a difference in His birth and the birth of ordinary beings. His birth is assuming a role in the physical world; He knows that it is a stage act done without any compulsion. The common beings are forced into the body; they are identified with the body and thus there is an unending craving seen in them towards the worldly acquisitions. Their birth takes place through the unfulfilled cravings; the mating of couples becomes the vehicle for it; also, they bring all their past impressions with them. This is not the case with the incarnations of God like Krishna. One who knows this special feature of the birth and actions of the incarnation of God, becomes free after this birth by becoming one with the God. How? By the understanding that the ever free God is my true nature too.
The next verse tells that following the path shown by the God-incarnation, many have been able to purify themselves by the 'fire of the Knowledge' and be united with the God. This verse will be properly discussed in the next class.

Three Steps to Illumination - Swami Shantarupananda - April 19

Unlike animals, human beings are endowed with special quality that they can outgrow their limitations and realize their true nature which is infinite joy, knowledge, purity and perfection. Our ancient spiritual teachers in their search after truth shifted their focus from observed facts to observer and tried to explore the deepest dimension of existence. As a result, spiritual knowledge was revealed to them which they gave us in the form of scriptures. To reach the goal of spiritual illumination we need to follow three steps:
1) Sravana - We need to hear about spiritual truths from authentic sources. Studying under the guidance of a spiritual teacher who has experienced these truths is very important for s/he expedites the student's journey.
2) Manana - By applying reasoning, we need to verify and intensify this knowledge. Our reasoning should not be contaminated by our likes and dislikes.
3) Dhyana - Once you are convinced about these truths, meditate on them. Meditation means to maintain a continuous flow of thought on the particular object on a higher level of consciousness. Brother Lawrence could meditate on Jesus while working in the kitchen. The goal of meditation is to experience the Oneness. The distinction among the subject, object and the medium that connects the two vanishes completely. This is the stage of Nirvikalpa Samadhi when the spiritual aspirant attains true fearlessness, freedom and bliss.

Tuesday - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - April 21

Every person has faith - the faith that characterizes that person. In the strict sense, even our sense perceptions are taken up as real on 'faith'. Sri Ramakrishna always guided people according to their faiths. Girish had the firm faith that God incarnates in a human form and Sri Ramakrishna is an incarnation of God. Sri Ramakrishna wanted Girish and Narendra (who did not accept that God incarnates as a man) to debate about this. Girish, along with his great faith possessed reason and common sense, and a keen intelligence, so he was an able opponent. Narendra thought God could not incarnate in one special person because He is everywhere. The Master agreed with him, but added that the Lord manifests his power differently in different beings. Sometimes it is avidyasakti power distorted, leaning toward worldliness, ignorance and other times the manifestation is vidyasakti or turning your steps toward knowledge of the Self -- the true Source of happiness.
An important question was asked: how could the sense-experience be called just a faith.
Ans: Just as one believes in the statements of the scriptures, so also one believes the data furnished by sense-organs as true without looking at their credibility.