Newsletter September 29, 2010

Past Events

Swami's visit to Wayne, NJ - Sat., Sept. 25

Swami Yogatmananda delivered a talk on 'Bhakti Yoga' to over one hundred devotees at the Vivekananda Vidyapith located in Wayne NJ from 5:00 - 7:30 PM. Swami returned Saturday night.

Indian classical music vocal concert - Sun., Sept. 26
About forty-five people attended the two-hour classical music concert after the Sunday lecture, with Pt. Vinayak Torvi, a famous classical vocalist from Bangalore (India), Akshay Navaladi on Tabla, Ravi Torvi on Harmonium and Koyel Ghoshal on Tanpura. Dinner followed the performance.

Please click here to see photos of some of the above events.

Synopsis of last week's classes

Friday, Sep. 24 - Bhagavad Gita (Ch.7, verses 1-3)

Bhagavad-Gita is the science of 'Brahmavidya' - the ultimate knowledge. It teaches various techniques to convert this wisdom in practical life. Path to ultimate knowledge is certainly difficult, but can be made easier by taking path of least resistance which is constitutionally suitable for oneself. Seventh chapter discusses this path of devotion. Human life is mostly governed by emotions rather that rationality. These emotions can be turned towards the Supreme Goal of God realization. By taking refuge in God one becomes assured and enthusiastic in spiritual practice. One should try to turn the direction of his love from the world to the God. In the second verse Sri Krishna promises Arjuna that knowledge by knowing which NOTHING remains to be known. Unfortunately, very few are interested in attaining this Supreme Knowledge. It is difficult for people to turn their minds beyond the mundane issues. Very few fortunate ones start enquiring into the nature of Truth. Out of them one or two succeed. But the success is sure to come and every single aspirant has an equal chance to be that rare person. While pursuing the path of God realization the idea of popularity is to be banished by the devotees. Courage has to be there to follow the RIGHT path which may not be the common or popular one.

Sunday, Sep. 26 - Day-Dreaming - Swami Yogatmananda

Day-dreaming continually goes on; impossible to stop. Differences between 'ordinary' (sleep) dreaming and day-dreaming are 1. Day-dreaming occurs when one is aware of the outer sensory world; in dream, one is not. 2. Day-dreams are always 'pleasant'; the dreamer is always the victorious superhero. Not so with the dreams. 3. There is a conscious control on what one can daydream about and the restrictions of the physical world apply; no such control over dreams.

Sigmund Freud mentions in his paper 'Creative Writers and Day-Dreaming' that daydreaming is because of unfulfilled desires; no desire, no daydreaming. Carl Jung delved deeply into studies of day-dreaming, desires, and 'cramps of consciousness' that blocks the fulfillment. Desires arise due to everyone's inner quest for unending peace, joy, love---Infinity. As Chandogya Upanishad mentions 'happiness is in Infinite, not in the limited'. Jung tells that we must learn to channel the daydreams toward our goal of true ultimate fulfillment. In this way, brain energy does not go waste. This is called Meditation. The book: 'Memories, Dreams and Reflections' by Jung is very helpful. As day-dreams become streamlined, they grow and expand into wholeness-completeness-infinity. His book on Kundalini Yoga explains how the levels of consciousness are represented by charkas. Go beyond the limited range of sensual awareness; concentrate on increasing inner purity before worrying about 'concentration and meditation'.
Sri Ramakrishna gave many ways of meditation or positive, goal-oriented daydreaming. For example: to consider yourself as a pitcher immersed in the ocean of existence-knowledge-bliss absolute! And 'dream' that the pitcher is breaking….breaking….broken! The illusion of limitedness gone! I know I am Absolute. No more desires; and thus no more daydreams.

Tuesday, Sep. 28 - The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

What is the true purpose of life and how is one to achieve it? Girish remarked that a person doesn't even have time to finish duties about God - what to speak of the worldly duties! God has to come first; then world. Sri Ramakrishna agreed with his illustrious disciple. According to the Master, the true reason we are here is to realize God. The unimportant seems important to us and our minds get deceived due to erroneous attachment to mind and body.
Narendra was ready to sing. He excelled in almost everything and music was no exception. He sang of Siva, who is considered to be the slayer of time itself. In another song, Narendra sang of becoming humble. Our ego tells that we can do everything, when in fact, that ego is a block to spiritual unfoldment. God's compassion becomes the refuge of the humble.
The one who seeks self knowledge gives life true meaning. If our relationships are based on this principle, they will have a firm foundation and will most likely last. Any relationship on the divine basis can't help but stand because it is real.
Maya portrays the unreal as real. If we had counterfeit money in our possession, we can't buy anything with it.. Just examine what is around you and through practice and discernment, discover the real from the unreal.
Long Q/A session followed.
Q: The path and the stage at which each of us is in spiritual life, may vary. Does that mean that we should be giving up our relatyionship?
A: The worldly relationship should be given up if it is a hurdle in spiritual progress.
Q: If people exploit you due to your humility, then is humility right?
A: humility does not mean lack of self-respect; it means respecting the greatness in others and being ready to receive grace from God.