Newsletter October 22, 2008

Synopsis of Last Week's Classes

Friday - Karma Yoga As Told By Other Religions - Chester Boncek - Oct 17

Starting with a summary of our current progress of the Bhagavad Gita, the talk went on to discuss some of the philosophies which were influential in the formation of the early Christian Church. The talk then took up four case studies of saints from the early Christian church and examined their ideas toward work (Karma) and the role of work in the organizations founded by these saints. Special emphasis was placed on the symmetry of many of the teachings and verses from the Eastern and Western scriptures. The talk concluded with the case study of Ignatious Loyola the founder of the Jesuits who's spiritual quest led him to develop a system of meditations called the "Spiritual Exercises" which are designed to lead a serious student toward complete abnegation of the little self and surrender to the will of Christ and to work in the service of Christ until the student achieves the experience of the Omnipresent God. Ignatius' life is said to have culminated in this highest experience to which the purification imparted by the continual practice of Karma Yoga leads its sincere adherents: that of seeing God everywhere and seeing all in God. As stated by the Lord Krishna in the Gita VI.30 he who realizes this mystical vision of the God in all and all in God: "tasya 'ham na pransyami" - to him I am not lost and "sa ca me na pranasyati" -he is not lost to Me.

Sunday - 'Karma and Character' - Swami Tyagananda - Oct 19
Based on Swami Vivekananda's book 'Karma Yoga', Swami delivered this first lecture of the series that will continue for next few Sundays. Karma means work and Karma Yoga means doing work as a spiritual discipline that joins the individual self with the Supreme Self. Every thought as well action makes an impression (Samskara) on mind and sum-total of these impressions determine our character. Every Samskara is like a seed that influences our future actions. Thus by leading a conscious life we can accumulate more and more good impressions and mould our character.

All knowledge is in human mind and remains covered in most cases. What we 'learn' is really what we 'discover'. Every mental and physical blow that helps us discover the power and knowledge hidden within us is Karma. Every action produces a result (Karma-phala). At experiential level, there are basically two kinds of results – either joyful or sorrowful. Law of Karma is the basic universal law which affirms that nothing in this world comes to us undeserved. It gives us control over our life. If what we are today is the result of our past actions then we can shape our future through our present actions. Bhagwad Gita says - Yoga means doing work with cleverness and as a science. Such a work not only removes our stress but takes us towards liberation. People work with various motives such as to get money, fame, power, haven etc. A Karma Yogi's motive is work for work's sake. Manifestation of the highest power comes through the work done with love and unselfishness. Karma Yoga removes the distinction between work and rest. The ideal of Karma yoga is intense activity in the midst of perfect silence and peace.

Tuesday - 'Gopala's Mother' - Pamela Dee - Oct 21

Aghoremani Devi, popularly known as Gopal Ma, was one of Sri Ramakrishna's most prominent devotees. Born in a Brahmin family in 1822 at Kamarhati, a Northern suburb of Kolkata, she was initiated into Gopala (Child Krishna) mantra. At a very young age she became widowed and started living in Radha-Krishna Temple Garden on the bank of the Ganga. From 1852-1883, she led a life of severe austerity, renunciation and intense contemplation. She had one-pointed devotion for Gopala and did continuous japam and spiritual practices in her small room. In 1884, she met Sri Ramakrishna, who did not speak with her on spiritual matters, but would only ask her to bring her cooking to him. In 1885, she gained a vision of Sri Ramakrishna that melted into the Baby Gopala, a real baby of 10 months old. This baby also demanded food from her including butter and cream. This vision lasted for over 2 months with the Baby Gopala constantly at her side. After this, Gopala would appear in her meditations several times a day. Sri Ramakrisna then told her that she had attained the goal of her spiritual practices and from this time on began calling her Gopal Ma. During her last days, she was cared for by Sister Nivedita, who was very devoted to her. She died on July 9, 1906 on the bank of the Ganga. She left behind her two most prized possessions, her mala (Rosary), which had passed through her fingers millions of times and a picture of Sri Ramakrisna.