Newsletter May 09, 2012

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

(All classes given by Swami Yogatmananda, unless otherwise stated.)

Bhagavad Gita class – May 04, Friday

Ch 14, Verses 1-5:  

In the 13th chapter of the Gita, the Lord addressed how the illusory distinctions of existence are experienced by the individual and how the spiritual aspirant should strive to feel that underlying, ever-existent oneness of reality and then to experience it actually. In the 14th chapter, the Lord addresses the same topic but in greater and practical detail. These details are important for the practical implementation of the principles outlined in the 13th chapter. Lord Krishna will explain the procedure by which this principal can be made functional and applicable in one’s life. First Lord Krishna ‘entices’ spiritual aspirants to seek the supreme knowledge by reminding us that each one who gets this knowledge will get the highest achievement of life because this knowledge is itself synonymous with it. Ordinarily a gap exists between one’s knowledge and the achievement that will accrue by it. For example, if one obtains an MD one still must look for jobs. But the tremendous efficacy of this knowledge is that by obtaining supreme knowledge the spiritual aspirant automatically obtains the highest achievement in this world. If you know Brahman, you become Brahman. Because you actually are Brahman, the all-pervading absolute, but due to ignorance think that “I am such and such a person.” So to get rid of this ignorance is to know that you are Brahman; thus you become Brahman. The Lord further encourages spiritual aspirants by telling Arjuna that so many people have already obtained this knowledge and, having become identified with the Divine, are not disturbed during the time of creation or during the time of dissolution because they are identified with existence itself. In verses three through four, Lord Krishna uses the analogy of creation to emphasize how the whole of creation has the seed of one awareness, one consciousness and the multiplicity that one sees is because the combination of consciousness and matter. As a result of this combination, all beings come into existence. This combination of matter and consciousness has three qualities or three ways of functioning and manifesting known as Gunas. The Gunas produce different types of bondage. In verse five, Lord Krishna begins to explain how we get entangled by the different forms that come to us so that we may understand the nature of bondage and thereby become free from it.

Some Special Features of Buddha's Teachings - May 06, Sunday

The teachings of every great teacher have some common features: All of them, for example, tell us to go deeper toward the core of our Being, which is the true source of Happiness and Freedom. At the same time, each teacher expresses the teachings in some unique ways, depending on the nature of the times, the existing political and social structures, and prevalent religious customs. Buddha's teachings have several of these special features. First, Buddha's teachings are completely independent from any particular scripture or doctrine. In Buddha's teachings, Truth stands by Itself and does not require any other support. Second, Buddha's teachings do not depend on any particular social structure; unlike the prevalent caste system at that time, which would limit the study of scriptures to a few, Buddha made his teachings available to all, regardless of gender, age, or social status. Third, Buddha formed an organization to make sure the teachings would be continued and spread; Buddhism thus could be regarded as the first organized religion in the world. Fourth, Buddha was the first to propagate the message of his teachings to all, rather than through a particular lineage. Finally, Buddha's teachings are to be implemented according to the individual's constitution, rather than having everyone following the same track. This is aptly expressed in the Surangama Sutra in A Buddhist Bible. As Buddha is seated in an assembly of his disciples, Ananda, a chief disciple, tells Buddha that many disciples feel that they are lacking because they have not attained a perfect Unity of awareness. Buddha then points out the disciples who have achieved this state and asks them to narrate their experiences. The disciples, with much variety, then proceed to tell the assembly about their difficulties, how they got stuck on the path, and how they overcame the difficulties. Thus Buddha demonstrates, through his disciples' practical experiences, how the teachings can be implemented in a variety of ways according to the individual's constitution and all have the potential to reach the state of Unity.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna  - May 08, Tuesday

Sri Ramakrishna, in spite of His bodily discomfort, is pouring his heart out to share the amazing experiences and visions he had. He said to the devotees that Divine Mother dwells in His body. Divine Mother is playing through all of us but we are totally oblivious of that fact due to our ego. Because of the overpowering presence of this ego, the presence of Divine Mother can't be felt. To feel the presence of God we must remove 'I' from there. This can be achieved by association with the Holy Company. That will change our awareness from I and mine to the God alone. We will also be able to experience the exalted state of Sri Ramakrishna. This divine experience had some physical manifestations which made Sri Ramakrishna's body luminous and shiny. But Master requested the Divine Mother to take those away so that people should not get attracted to the outer appearance, ignoring the real essence. That prevented people with the selfish and worldly motives. Only real devotees frequented the Master. He associates the same significance even to his illness. That separated the true seekers from other worldly people. Only real devotees stayed with the Master during that time as per His desire. Master wanted to be a king of devotees. Master was constantly aware of the true indweller. He says that is why he could achieve the renunciation of lust and greed to that level. As long as one associates oneself with ego the renunciation is not possible. Ego reinforces the identification with body and mind. As soon as the ego is removed, the presence of our Real Self - God can be felt. Once the ego is removed there are no desires left and renunciation becomes possible. This can only be achieved through grace of God.