Newsletter March 24, 2010

Past Events

1) Swami offered a Vedic chant at Stuart Theater at the beginning of a performance of a play on Bhutan refugees on March 20.

2) On Sunday Mar. 21, Swami Yogatmananda discussed 'Rama-Lakshmana Dialogue' from 11:00AM - 12:00 noon at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of MA, 58 Deerfield St Boston.

3-A) On Sunday, March 21, from 1:00PM - 5:00PM, Swami Atmarupananda, from Vedanta Society of So. CA, Trabucao Monastery, conducted a contemplative retreat at Brown University, Providence on: 'The Search for The Self' (meditation techniques from the Hindu tradition that shed light on various aspects of consciousness) to twenty three attendees.

3-B) On Monday evening, from 7:30 PM - 9:00PM, in Salomon Hall, Brown University, Swami Atmarupananda discussed and answered questions for the fifty five attendees on : ''Who am I? The Search for the Self', which was part of the sixth annual Mary Interlandi '05 Memorial lecture.

4) On Sunday Mar. 21 from 6:00PM - 7:30PM, immediately following the Sunday Service Lecture, a Sitar concert performed by Srinivas Reddy from California and accompanied by Sameer Gupta on Tabla. It was attended by about sixty people.

Click here for photos.

Synopsis of last week's classes

Friday, Mar. 19 - Bhagavad Gita (Ch. 6, Verses 4-7)
When a person has practiced Karma Yoga with sincere dedication and perseverance for a sufficient length of time, he reaches the stage where he no longer needs to work.
There is no established time-frame after which one can "graduate" from Karma Yoga; it depends upon the spiritual evolution of the individual. The drags and attachments to sense-objects and related works must go away; that is the sign of this "graduation". If we spend time wondering when we will transcend work, our minds will become depressed. Instead, we must continue to work with full concentration, sincerity, focus and dedication, and yet being detached. No one else, not even a guru, can raise us to a higher spiritual level without our OWN efforts alone can accomplish this! We are our best friends and also worst enemies. Mind is the most powerful instrument we possess; it has to be brought under control and then it is our friend. Otherwise it is the enemy. The more we develop control of the mind, the more purposeful and Goal-oriented our lives will become. Although gaining control over the mind requires great efforts, the reward will be greater still. Therefore, we must carry on!

Sunday, March 21 - Did the God Create? How? - Swami Yogatmananda
As every creation in this universe has a creator behind it, so also it is assumed that this universe is the creation of a particular creator called - the God. Some may say that this unlimited universe has been there all along; so there is no creation and hence no creator. However, human mind cannot be satisfied with such arguments and starts exploring as to how this universe came into existence. Science gives the explanation through the 'Big-Bang' and other such theories. As science relies on logic and observations by the five senses that fall within the domain of this universe, it can never answer the question of creation of the universe satisfactorily. Something that is beyond this universe, beyond intellect and sense perceptions has the power to unravel the Mistry and this is where religion steps in. In the Bible, the book of Genesis describes the creation of the universe, earth, and its inhabitants through the principle of division and separation; the One was subsequently divided into the immense variety. The Jewish Mysticism, Kabbalah, mentions how everything is the emanation of the 'Ein sof' = beginning-less, endless and infinite. In the New Testament, the book of John explains the universe as the manifestation of the 'Word' which is very similar to the concept of OM - the un-struck, primordial sound in Vedanta. Aitareya Upanisad says that the Self (Atman) alone has been before and ever since the beginning. As the 'one' by the name of 'ocean' is same as 'many' by the name of 'waves', similarly the 'One Self' is manifesting as the 'variety' - the universe. When we see the 'One' alone, then really there is no creation; but when we perceive the play of subject-object, then the concept of 'creation' and its 'Creator' (the God) becomes meaningful. After getting tired in the mire of this universe, the spiritual aspirant starts finding the 'origin' and the path is now reversed - from multiplicity towards unity. Realization of the Truth comes when the 'One' is seen in everything. Then the question about creation becomes meaningless. Reaching this point is the goal of our life.

Tuesday, Mar. 23 - The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

The environment we are in plays a vital role in our spiritual development. That's why Sri Ramakrishna encourages devotees to come to visit him. This would enable the people to sprout good, spiritual tendencies.
The Master was very fond of a young devotee, Purna, who was very advanced, but found it difficult to visit due to objections from his family. They feared he might not get a good education and ultimately not make decent money if the youngster associate with this God realized soul.
Some other devotees were discussing the Brahmo Samaj. The author of a book from that religious movement stated that Ramakrishna was at first opposed to the world, but then changed his mind, thinking a person could lead a spiritual life in the world too. When the Master heard this he replied that he had renounced everything; after God-realization, the entire world was nothing but crow droppings.
Some songs were sung. These songs aid in meditation. What we need is a paradigm shift. What is real and what is unreal? By what means do I seek God is a question we should ask. It's a matter of intention. If one places conditions such as: I want to realize the Highest truth, but while being attached to the world, then that person is not really ready. If, on the other hand, an individual can honestly surrender ignorance, practice dispassion, and see that God alone is real, s/he is on the right path.

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