Newsletter Nov 01, 2006

Brown Hindu Group - Wednesday, Nov 01

Swami Yogatmananda will meet with the student Hindu group on campus at 8:00 PM.

Swami to North Carolina - Nov 04

Swami Yogatmananda will be in Greenville, NC from Saturday, Nov 04 until Tuesday, Nov 07. Topics to be discussed are: Hindu Psychology, Concept of Creation in Vedanta, Is Hinduism Polytheistic? and Science of Worship.

1) Swami Yogatmananda returned from Houston, TX on Thursday, Oct. 26, after giving several discourses. He also did Kali Puja there last Saturday, Oct. 21.

2) Swami conducted a retreat on 'Being and Becoming' at Vivekananda Retreat, Ridgley,NY on Saturday, Oct 28.

Click here to see photos of above events.

3) Swami conducted a youth class and Bhagavad Gita class at Sri Satyanarayana Temple, 11 Training Hill Rd, Middletown, CT on Oct 29.

Synopsis of Last Week Classes

Friday - Raja Yoga Class - Oct 27
Aphorism 3:13-16
All the changes in the objects - either in their form or in time or in state - are really the fluttering of the mind. As the mind vibrates, so one sees these changes in the objects. Because these changes often follow one another in quick succession, it gives an illusion of the same object evolving. Like it appears that the lump of clay changed into a clay-pot and then it broke giving a number of clay pieces. But it is the fluttering mind that gives rise to the pictures of clay-lump, clay-pot and clay-pieces coming in a sequence as if it is the 'same' lump that changed into a pot etc. The continuity in the evolution is not of the form (dharma) but of substance (dharmi) in which these changes are seen due to changes in the instrument of perception which is mind. If we can control it then we can control these changes. This is power! All powers to change the world then come to you because it is the change in the mind. We do not have control over mind and therefore no control over these changes. If we get the control, to the extent of the control, various powers will manifest. Like the knowledge of the past and future.

Sunday - Liberation Through Work - Swami Yogatmananda – Oct 29
Liberation is the basic urge in life that manifests in all human urges. According to Karma Yoga, every action that we perform has two results: external result and the effect on the doer, the latter of which brings either bondage or freedom depending on the attitude with which that work is done. Ishopanisad says that work becomes a means of liberation if done with the awareness that God alone is real.
The desire with which we perform work gets into us and hence work done with selfish desires piles terrible bondage and one becomes slave to the work. Infuse the attitude of detachment, dedication and sincerity in whatever you do and that will purify your heart. Do it as worship if you believe in God; if not, then do it as your duty.
The attitude of just receiving without giving back is detrimental. The society prospers through the give and take policy. Gradually one finds more joy in giving irrespective of whether s/he gets any returns. Then the spiritual progress starts. Always remember that what you get doesn't depend on your expectations. Expectations bring nothing but bondage. Unselfish work builds will power and self-confidence.
In Karma yoga Swami Vivekananda says, do good to the world by helping others, but do not expect any change thereby, for the world is always a mixture of good and evil. The change will come in the form that you will be a better person.
So work is great means of liberation, which is already with us. Use it in a proper way through the practice of Karma Yoga.