Newsletter January 29, 2014

 

Newsletter Archives

 

Upcoming Events

Long Meditation Session and Salutations on the birth anniversary of Swami Brahmananda!  – Sat. Feb. 01, 11:00AM - 8:00PM
On Sat., Feb. 01,  there will be 'Long Meditation Session' in the chapel, beginning with 11:00 AM 'guided meditation/music hour'.  People wanting to participate must come before 12:00 noon, when the entry will be closed. Doors will open at 6:30PM for 7:00 – 8:00 PM Aarati (singing, a reading & meditation). Being the birth anniversary of Swami Brahmananda, there will be a special morning chant and a special song in the evening after Arati to be followed by Biography reading, prasad.

 

Children’s Sunday ‘Spiritual-Arts & Storytelling’ Class – Sun. Feb. 02
The ‘first Sunday-of-the-month’ children’s program (ages 5-12 only) will be conducted from 4:00PM – 6:00PM in the children’s/chapel-observance room under the guidance of Prof Dorothy Abram. Please e-mail (only)Dorothy.Abram AT jwu.edu for any questions.

On Monday, Feb. 03, the birth anniversary of Swami Trigunatitananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, will be observed in the morning meditation with a chant, and biography reading in the evening after the Aarati. 

 

Weekly Programs (in addition to Daily Programs given below)

Friday, Jan. 31	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study Class on the book ‘Karma Yoga’ by Swami Vivekananda
Saturday, Feb. 01	8:30 – 10:30 AM: Karma yoga/cleaning 11:00 AM – 12 noon: Guided meditation and singing 12 noon - 8:00 PM: Long-Meditation Session (includes evening singing, a reading & meditation)
Sunday, Feb. 02	5:00PM – 6:00PM: A talk on 'Health- care: Physical, Mental & Spiritual' by Swami Yogatmananda 6:00 PM– 7:00 PM: Soup Supper 7:00PM – 8:00 PM: Aarati (devotional singing, a reading and meditation)
Tuesday, Feb. 04	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 - 8:30 PM: Vedanta Study Class on 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna', Ch. 45, pg 878

 

Daily Programs

Morning :	5:45 – 6:45 AM: Meditation 6:45 – 7:00 AM: Chanting followed by a short reading from The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. 3 7:00 – 7:25AM – A short ritual worship/Puja. Open to all.
Evening :	7:00 – 7:15 PM: Aarti (devotional music), with a short reading from 'Swami Brahmananda: As We Saw Him: Reminiscences of Monastic & Lay Disciples'(compiled/edited by Swami Atmashraddhananda) 7:15 – 8:00 PM: Meditation

 

Past Events

Swami Vivekananda Birth Anniversary - Sun. Jan. 26, 11:00AM - 7:00PM
The full day program of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary celebration began with  11:00 AM to 1:00PM puja/worship for Swamiji (ritual worship, food & flower offerings, a short reading on Vivekananda, Aarati and devotional songs).  The afternoon consisted of video/powerpoint presentations about Vivekananda, music-session to honor Swami Vivekananda; a symposium at 5:00 PM, (see synopsis of talks below) and  evening Aarati, chanting of Shiva-nam Sankirtanam and dinner. About 70 devotees attended the puja; from thirty-five to fifty-five attended the other programs through the day.

Click here to see photos of above event.

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

KARMA YOGA (based on the book by Swami Vivekananda) class - Jan. 24, Friday

In this 5th chapter, we have seen that in our attempt to help the world, we, in fact, help ourselves. What is good for the world is difficult—nay, impossible—to say. In truth, the world is like the curly tail of dog; no matter how many times we try to straighten it, it becomes curly again. Although the tail remains curly, our mind gets straightened out through these attempts. In trying to help the world, we purify ourselves, and thus come closer to our true nature. Becoming pure, becoming morally strong, means that we do not seek things from the world; our desires are reduced. The more our desires are reduced the more moral we become, and the closer we come to realizing our divine nature. Therefore, Swami Vivekananda implores us to do good to the world with the awareness that, in truth, the world does not need our help. If we analyze ourselves critically, we see that it is sheer egotism that gives rise to the sense that we are needed for something: God is all and takes care of everything; our sense of self-importance keeps us away from God realization. As sincere spiritual aspirants, we must strive to become instruments in the hands of God, thanking the Lord for giving us the opportunity to exercise benevolence, and thus providing us with a means to become pure and perfect.  

 

Symposium on Swami Vivekananda on His Birth Anniversary Celebration – Jan. 26, Sunday
Tushar Puranik spoke on The Resurrection of Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda was essentially a message of character-building, strength, harmony of religions and service to humanity as a way of worship. While Swamiji’s body died, the principle he represented has resurrected in us in our character building, finding our inner strength and fearlessness, in our service of man (such as seeing Shiva in the poor), as the personification of the harmony of religions, and in our discovery of the Divinity in man. Swamiji has already resurrected in our hearts, and it is only a matter of time until we experience this.
Prof. Gloria Hernandez spoke on the Poems of Swami Vivekananda. Swamiji loved and surrendered to the Divine Mother. In his poetry, he emphasized the ineffable Mother (“Who knows how Mother plays?”), Mother the Protector (Mother protects every being without discrimination), the Terrifying Mother (“Kali the Mother”), and Mother of Home and Path (Where else can I find home?).  
Swami Yogatmananda: summarized the message in the two lectures.  We should absorb his thoughts and become like him, as he resonates with our hearts. Swamiji’s message succeeded because it was backed by experience. A turning point in Swamiji’s life was when, as Narendra, he accepted the Divine Mother. This was the point at which Sri Ramakrishna had almost completed the molding of Narendra. We should try to bring out the resurrection of Swamiji not in physical form, but internally.

 

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna class - Jan. 28, Tuesday

Master is in the company of His devotees. Narendra- later Swami Vivekananda, is singing few songs as per the Master's request.
God is the Pole-star of our life. Life is guided by God and should move around God. The touch of God makes everything beautiful. If the divine presence goes away from the perception, then things do not look beautiful any more. We do not experience/ perceive this divinity due to our ego. One should not harbor any negative thoughts about one’s weaknesses nor be puffed up regarding the strengths. Both these mean ego. Complete surrender to God is required. If we realize the world is transitory, then our focus will change from the world to God. Through devotion, oneness with God can be felt.
Narendra also sang a song describing everything that exists is God alone. Initially Narendra was not in agreement with the concept of non-duality. Gradually Master made him understand the same and gave him the experience of non-duality.
Conversation continued as the singing was over. Master commented about Nityagopal - how his present state will undergo a  change. His mind will be focused on Master - the true indweller in Mater's body - God. This will be discussed further in the next class.