Newsletter June 13, 2012

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

Bhagavad Gita class – June 8, Friday

Ch 14, verses 13-16

Lord Krishna explains the signs by which we can anticipate the arrival of these different strands of bondage so that we can counteract them before they bind us. The sign that sattva will soon arrive is that the sensory organs get a sparkle or glow in them; the aspirant will feel that desire to know. When this sign begins to arise, we should tell ourselves, “It is just the sattva shining forth. I am not that knowledge. My true nature is beyond the Gunas.” We should observe the manifestation of that knowledge but remain aloof. The sign that rajas will soon arise is that desires and attractions begin to arise within us. Once the stirring for the activity comes up, one goes on working, working, working. When tamas arises, we don’t want to do anything, we are irritated and grumpy for no particular reason. It is at these times, because of the thick covering of ignorance, that we behave inappropriately. What happens in our life when we are bound by the Gunas? There are various results which correspond to each Guna. If at the time of death we are not free from the gunas, then we will have to take rebirth. If we have the knowledge that we are free from all gunas, we are the infinite, and we are the divine perfection itself, then we become free from the cycle of birth and death. The state of the mind and the desires arising at the time of death determine our future condition. Therefore, if we give up the body and the mind is in the state of sattva, we will “buy” a body that is suitable for the expression of sattva. Our next birth will be in an environment that is more conducive to the expression of sattva. If rajas is predominant at the time of death, we will be reborn in an environment with those who are attached to work. If tamas is predominant at the time of death, we will be born amongst dumb irrational creatures. So Lord Krishna says we must make sure at the time of death that we are reciting the name of God. That way God will be uppermost in our minds and liberation will result. In the 16th verse, Lord Krishna explains that actions become sattvika, rajasika, and tamasika depending on what is propelling the action. If sattva is propelling the action, tranquility will result; if rajas is propelling the action, pain or greed is the result; if tamas is propelling the action, ignorance, laziness, and inadvertence are the results. As we sow, so do we reap.  We should suppress tamas by rajas and rajas by sattva. As spiritual aspirants we should try to do the activities that are sattvic. All three gunas are bondages, but sattva helps us to cut asunder the other bondages; therefore, we should take the help of it. We should make use of the virtues to overcome the vices.

Leadership  - June 10, Sunday

When it comes to leadership, there is usually a wide gap between a person's aspiration and his or her ability. Good leaders are very rare; a long list of qualities is needed.  Swami Vivekananda said that a leader must have the capacity to transform himself into many people and be able to work through them. Thus, leadership is a spiritual quality, in which the leader sees the same "I" in everyone. As the first step toward becoming a leader, a person must integrate the physical, intellectual, and emotional elements.  Cohesion must be brought among the various aspects of the person's personality, and all aspects must be tied to the one task: attaining the Goal of life. According to Swami Vivekananda, a leader creates the vision to which all the various capabilities of the different followers can be applied.  The leader must transform the vision so that each individual feels that it is his own vision and also sees his role in attaining that vision. The leader should make himself dispensable, to the extent that the vision can be carried on regardless of whether he is present or not. He should provide followers with inspiration, as well as the necessary guidance, according to each individual's temperament. The leader should have immense perseverance to maintain the vision despite all obstacles.  As Swami Vivekananda stated, trying to serve others is not enough; a leader must also "have conviction in the power of goodness." Such a conviction will surely prompt selfless service, as all service is experienced as service to God. Finally, a good leader has no jealousy or suspicion of others.  As Patanjali stated, if we want peace of mind, we should welcome good to whomever it happens, anywhere in the world.  It is important that each of us tries to be a leader of our own self, such that all faculties are guided to the right Goal.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna  - June 12, Tuesday

Peace and bliss, which are desired by all, cannot be found in finite objects. Hence finite can't be the goal of our life. We all have the seed of infinite in us, which can bring us the fulfillment. Knowingly or unknowingly, each one of us is marching towards that fulfillment. Sri Ramakrishna could see the progress made by devotees. But he did not disclose where everyone stood for his own good reasons. (Swami asked the audience for their takes on it, and the audience gave various interesting and illuminating thoughts).We all can rest assured that He is keeping a close watch on all his devotees even now and helping them move forward on this path.
When the news of Master's illness reached his Calcutta devotees they  came to see him. In spite of physical sufferings he was in his usual blissful mood. Not only that, but till the very end of his mortal life he was distributing that happiness in abundance. That proves that body is not the source of bliss. If one can separate the body awareness from our existence then alone one can understand true bliss and peace. Wise people know this well. They do not go after the external objects in search of happiness. Devotees from Calcutta who came to visit Him were assuring him that he will be cured soon. Master asked Pandit Shashadhar to talk about the Primordial Power. He was hesitant to talk about that in front of Master. Master told a funny story to tease and remove Shashadhar's reluctance. After that, deep philosophical discussion went on regarding the Primordial Power being the whole and sole cause of creation. Primordial Power is both - the instrumental cause and the material cause of the creation.