Newsletter April 30, 2014

 

Newsletter Archives

 

 

SPECIAL MUSICAL EVENT in MAY

 

Upcoming Events

New Walk-in Hatha Yoga – Saturdays, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Every Saturday, beginning May 10, from 5PM – 6PM, Hannah Ressenger will conduct a ‘walk-in’ Hatha Yoga class for  $5.00/per class.  Hannah studied under Amrit Desai at Amrit Yoga Institute, Fl and became an instructor in 2007. She  is a substitute yoga instructor at Sun Salutations in Lincoln, and also teaches children & conducts workshops.
Contact Hannah only  at: 401-473-4372, Email: key2lyfe-AT-gmail.com for details.

Ongoing Weekly Classes

 

Walk-in Hatha Yoga – Sundays, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Hatha Yoga classes are being conducted on Sundays, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, in the Lower Level (LL), by a Vedanta devotee. Walk-in rate is $5.00 per class. For details, contact Pat only at: pat.blake8-AT-gmail.com
Sanskrit Class – Sundays, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Sanskrit class resumes Sunday, April 20 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM, taught by Deepro Chakraborty, a Sanskrit-Studies PhD student from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a Sanskrit instructor at St Stephens College, New Delhi

Bharathnatyam Dance Classes – Sundays, 3:30 – 5:00 PM
To learn traditional South Indian Classical dance (age 5 thru adulthood), taught by classical dancer Anuradha, please call her only at 704-707-5430 for complete information

Sitar and Tabla lessons – Sundays, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
To learn to play beginner’s level sitar or tabla, taught by Koyel Ghoshal, please contact her only at koyelg-AT-yahoo.com

 

Weekly Programs (in addition to Daily Programs given below)

Friday, May 02	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: New Study Class begins on Bhakti Yoga, (book by Swami Vivekananda) taught by Swami Yogatmananda
Saturday, May 03	8:30 – 10:30 AM: Karma yoga/cleaning 11:00 AM – 12 noon: Guided meditation and singing 7:00PM – 8:00PM : Aarati (devotional singing, a reading and meditation) - open to all
Sunday, May 04	5:00 – 5:40 PM: A talk - ‘Hold-on To GOVINDA: A Hymn of Sankara’ by Swami Yogatmananda 6:00PM – 9:00 PM - Pt. Rajan & Sajan Mishra Classical Vocal Concert (Ticketed event only)
Tuesday, May 06	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: A video presentation by Swami Atmatattwananda, Vedanta Society of So. CA, Hollywood. All welcome.

 

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. 4' 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

Spiritual Retreat - Sat. April 26

About fifty devotees participated in this forty-fifth day-long retreat ‘Let us be Spiritual’. It consisted of three discourses conducted by Swami Ishatmananda, Minister-in-charge, Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, an hour-and-half Q/A session, guided mediation led by Swami Ishatmananda, Aarati, and the chanting of Rama-naama Sankirtanam.
Click here to see photos.

 

Pastor and Parishioners visit Vedanta – Wed. April 30
Paster Dennis Baril, Community Covenant church, Rehoboth MA, and four parishioners, visited Vedanta from 10:30AM – 12:45PM, where Swami Yogatmananda discussed Hinduism and answered several questions.

 

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

 

Satsang with Swami Ishatmananda  - April 25, Friday 
Twenty devotees attended this satsang discussion by Swami Ishatmananda, Vedanta Soc. of Chicago, about transformation, manifestation, and eventual realization of oneself and  Universal Oneness.

 

Let’s Be Practical - April 27, Sunday
Being spiritual means becoming practical. What does not let us be practical?: 1.too much idealization,2. dependence on unavailable resources, and 3. Ignoring the essential needs. What can make us practical? 1. that which works in real situations, that which is do-able, and that which is comprehensive. Even if there is no precedent for our action, we may rationally decide it is do-able. Why we are not practical: we are dreamy (we confuse facts with fiction, as in wishful thinking), we are not thoughtful enough (we keep shifting our goals),, we are not patient enough and we have a tendency to cut corners (to make compromises, try to get something without paying the right price). Pseudo-practicality (thinking worldly goals are practical) is more dangerous than impracticality. Swami Vivekananda said that practicality means trying to reach the highest Ideal, rather than pulling down our Ideal to where we are. We have to form a ladder to reach the Ideal, from where we are to where we want to climb. We all want unlimited existence, knowledge and bliss. This is a practical goal because the Self is ever-present. Digging a well is more practical than running after a mirage, even though it takes more effort. We need to be aware of the obstacles so we can prepare properly. As Swami Vivekananda said, we must all become rishis. 

 

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Class – April 29, Tuesday
Immortality is sought by each one of us but it can't be obtained through material resources in this world. The knowledge that frees us from the bondage of mortal body is nectar that will bring immortality. Conversations recorded in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are full of such knowledge. In  spite of bodily pain and discomfort,  Sri Ramakrishna was full of joy as there was no body consciousness. We all aspire for that happiness. It is very easily available to us but we try to look for the same in the outside world and get disappointed. Master is the doctor who can cure this disease of worldliness and free us from the suffering.

Master commented that a devotee always wants to go close to God. Prakriti – the created appearance – the changing entity – a devotee wants to be one with the Purusha – the consciousness living in the body/the unchanging aspect -  The God. We love that unchanging indweller who is the SAME in all.

M mentioned that Dr. Sarkar believes in God as the Master and himself as the servant. But still he can't accept the idea of God in the form of a man. It is very difficult to grasp the idea of God as formless, infinite. Rather it is easier for our mind as well as our intellect to comprehend the concept of God in an easily perceivable form.