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- Universal Brotherhood Day: Sunday, September 13
- Day-long Durga Puja celebration: Sunday, September 27
- Spiritual Retreat: Saturday, October 24
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Have a Question ?
If you have questions regarding spiritual life, Vedanta, Hinduism etc, you can email us at answers@vedantaprov.org
Newsletter December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas! Please see Christmas Greeting Card here.
Christmas Eve - Wed. Dec. 24
From 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, there will be worship, reading, Christmas carols/singing
and food offerings. All are welcome.
Birth Anniversary of Swami Shivananda, direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, will be observed on Thursday, Dec 25th in the morning with a chant and in the evening with a song, a biography reading and Prasad.
Kalpataru Day - Thurs. Jan. 01, 2009
Raj and Dhiraj Jhaveri are hosting the annual Kalpataru Day at their residence
at 39 Crest Road, Framingham MA 01702, beginning at 12:00 noon. Swami Tyagananda
and Swami Yogatmananda will speak briefly on that event; there will be devotional
music and potluck lunch. Please RSVP at: ifraj@verizon.net
Weekly Programs at Vedanta Society of Providence
| Friday Dec. 26 | 7:00
PM –
Aarati (devotional music) & meditation. 7:30 PM – Bhagavad Gita class (Ch 3 cont) |
| Saturday, Dec. 27 |
8:00 -10:00
AM - Cleaning |
| Sunday,
Dec. 28 |
5:00 -
6:00 PM - A talk on 'Loving God and Loving Neighbor' by Swami
Yogatmananda |
|
Tuesday, |
7:00 PM –
Aarati (devotional music) & meditation. 7:30 PM – Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna class, Ch. 37, Pg 714 |
Daily Programs at Vedanta Society of Providence
| Morning |
5:45 –
6:45 AM: Meditation 6:45 – 7:00 AM: Chanting, followed by a short reading from The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. II |
| Evening | 7:00
– 7:15 PM: Aarati (devotional music), a short reading from Spiritual
Treasures: Letters of Swami Turiyananda 7:15 – 8:00 PM: Meditation |
Click here to see the photos of past events.
The day-long program, attended by approximately forty to forty-five devotes for the various events, began with ritual worship at 11:00 AM, followed by food and flower offering; Prasad-luncheon; Video (Footsteps of Ma Sarada);Devotional Music; Symposium on Sri Sarada Devi and concluded with Aarati & Meditation from 6:00-7:00 PM.
Synopsis of Last Week's Classes
Friday - Bhagwad Gita - Dec. 19
(Due to the snow-storm many devotees could not come, so instead of the
class on next verses, there was a general discussion on Bhagawad-gita.)
Religion is not only about what happens after one dies or about heaven &
hell etc but about purposefully leading the life here on earth by resolving
the inner conflicts in the light of the wisdom of the sages and of one's
conscience. Bhagawad-Gita gives the great message that we are not the mortal
body (deha) but the immortal indweller (dehi) in it. The indweller
is ONE IN ALL BODIES. This principle of ONE-ness and divinity of existence
is to be understood and experienced. This is not just a theory but the truth
that can be practically experienced. For that one has to transform the attitude
in work. That is called Yoga.
Sunday - Symposium on Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi - Dec.
21
As a part of the Birth-anniversary celebration of Sri Sarada Devi, a symposium
was organized in which three devotees presented their thoughts about Holy
Mother.
Anuradha Deshmukh spoke about Holy Mother's life as an aspiration
and inspiration for all. A uniqueness of Mother's life is that we are able
to see her reflection in the people around us who exhibit noble qualities
such as unbiased love towards all, doing every work as an offering to God,
power to feel the sufferings of others as if they are one's own and trying
to alleviate them etc.
Naren Velez spoke about universal motherhood that one sees manifesting
in Mother's life even at a very young age. She is an embodiment of unselfish
loving service. We learn from her life that true and unbroken happiness
comes to the person who sees others as one's own self and showers love without
any expectation.
Emily McIntosh narrated her experience of Mother's love and care
and how Mother guides us towards our welfare. Holy Mother teaches us sometimes
gently, sometimes with harshness but always with motherly compassion and
love.
Swami Yogatmanada in concluding remarks said that Holy Mother, the
primordial power and universal motherhood incarnate, assures us that - 'whenever
you are in distress, remember that you have a mother.' As one goes nearer
to her, one's life is transformed as gently and silently as a rose blooms
with the dew drops.
Tuesday - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - Dec. 23
As important as Sri Ramakrishna's words are and were, even
of greater importance for his followers was to be in his company. The Master's
actions speak volumes and it is said that a true teacher need not speak.
The Truth is conveyed in silence. Words do cause distortion as it involves
conversion from information to thought to language. There is much processing
to deal with. However, if we are able to connect our heart to the teacher,
knowledge can get transmitted properly.
In this particular chapter, there's not that much talking by Sri Ramakrishna.
When a devotee recited a hymn that compared the world to a deep well and
a trackless forest, the Master said, it is only out of fear that one thinks
that way. If we hold fast to God, realize that God alone is real, and get
beyond duality, fear vanishes. I am the enjoyer and that is the enjoyed
spells doubt and this brings fear.
The Master also is quite interested in M's opinion about whether he is an
Incarnation of God.