Newsletter February 18, 2015

 

Newsletter Archives

 

NOTICES:

1) Swami Yogatmananda is away, traveling in India from Jan. 14 - Feb. 23.

Click here to see his travel itinerary in India.

During this period, Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana, a nun from the Vedanta Society of So. California is conducting weekly classes.

 

2) Bharathanatyam Dance Classes – Sundays, 3:30 – 5:00 PM; Contact Anuradha: 704-707-5430

 

Weekly Programs (in addition to Daily Programs given below)

Friday, Feb. 20	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study Class by Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana on the book 'For the Seekers of God' (Teachings of Swami Shivananda),
Saturday, Feb. 21	8:30 – 10:30 AM: Karma yoga/cleaning 11:00 AM – 12 noon: Guided meditation/chanting and singing 7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation
Sunday, Feb. 22	5:00 – 6:00 PM: A talk - ‘Ramakrishna and the Revival of Mythology’ by Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana 6:00PM – 7:00 PM: Soup Supper 7:00PM - 8:00PM : Aarati (devotional singing, a reading and meditation)
Tuesday, Feb. 24	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study Class by Swami Yogatmananda on 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna'

 

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. 5' 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

Maha-Shivaratri – Tues. Feb. 17
Aarati  began at 6:45PM, followed by the chanting of Shivanaam Sankirtanam (108 names to Shiva) and a special talk by Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana on 'Lord Shiva'. Scroll down for synopsis of the talk.

 

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

(All classes given by Pravrajika Shuddhatmaprana, unless otherwise stated)

 

Study Class - 'For Seekers of God' - Feb. 13, Friday
June, 1927: A conversation is taking place between Mahapurushji and some devotees. After the vesper singing of the names of Rama (Ramnam Sankirtanam), Mahapurushji told the devotees the story of how Swami Brahmananda first heard the singing of the names of Sri Rama in southern India and had enjoyed it so much that he decided to establish it at Belur Math. The Swami also shared that it was Swami Vivekandanda’s earnest wish that worship of Rama be established in every Indian home.

July 10th, 1927: Many devotees were gathered in Mahapurushji’s room. An elderly devotee asked the Swamiji: “Maharaj, please give us some piece of advice. Living in the world and having many ties, we are scorched day and night. Please bless us that we may find piece in life.” Mahapurushji replied that the essence of all teachings is to not forget God. The only way to enjoy peace in the world is to do our duties while whole-heartedly calling on the Lord.  

September 3rd, 1927: The sadhus, devotees, and Mahapurushji were deeply grieving the recent loss of Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order. Mahapurushji shared some reminiscences about Swami Saradananda, emphasizing that, “[he does] not exist apart from the Master (Sri Ramakrishna). Those who think about [the direct disciples of Ramakrishna] are actually thinking about the Master himself…This love and devotion will surely reach the Master.”

 

Self-Surrender - Easy or Difficult? – Feb. 15, Sunday
Sri Ramakrishna says that two things required for God-realization are self-surrender and faith. Although self-surrender sounds easy, when put into practice, becomes difficult as one has to struggle with letting go one's own will. An allegorical story of Gajendra (the king of elephants) from Bhagavatam explains this idea. Gajendra (a soul with strong ego) entered into a lake (= life) and was caught hold by a crocodile (represents various passions such as lust, anger, jealousy, hatred, fear, pride, etc.). Being a strong animal, Gajendra struggled for a long time to rescue himself and after exhausting all his strength, he prayed to the Lord Vishnu and the Lord finally rescues Gajendra. When our lower self becomes the master, we forget our real nature and remain in the realm of Maya. When ego is surrender to God, the person can easily cross over the Maya as Lord Krishna promises in Bhagavad Gita. Gajendra, a sincere soul, recognizing that his virtues alone are not capable of rescuing him and his real source of strength is Lord, surrendered his ego to the Lord. When mind contemplates on God, the obstinate will loses its hold and starts melting in God. Then the devotee desires nothing but God. Thus Gajendra prayed not for the freedom from crocodile, but for the freedom from ignorance that separates him from the Lord. This is similar to the prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola – "O Lord.....take my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. .... I give it all back to You and surrender it wholly to be governed by your will." God's grace comes in the form of the wisdom that makes the devotee unite with God.  

In modern times, we see total self-surrender in the life of Girish Chandra Ghosh, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and one of the greatest dramatist of this time. Although he was a libertine in his earlier life, he had genuine faith in Sri Ramakrishna and as a spiritual practice gave Sri Ramakrishna his power of attorney. Little did he know at that time that this is an unending work, that at every breath, he has to act as per God's will. He practiced this path with all sincerity and was transformed into a saint. True self-surrender fills the devotee's heart with love, gratitude and constant remembrance of God. Self-surrender is a process that thrives on faith. It is simple and easy when mind is ready for it. Although its nature is dualistic in the beginning; it ends in the union with God.

 

A talk on 'Lord Shiva' - Feb. 17, Tuesday

The Lord Shiva in his two forms- the meditative , the supreme Guru and the dancing form of Nataraja always acts as a remover or destroyer of suffering, delusion, desire and the dream of this whole world. He has been worshipped by all in various forms to be free from ignorance and delusion. There are various physical attributes which are commonly associated with his form. He is known as Neelkantha - the one with a blue colored throat. His throat has become blue as he mercifully drank the poison that came out of churning of the ocean to obtain the immortal nectar during the fight between Gods and demons. Only he has the capacity to handle that severe poison. The trident in his hand represents three gunas - sattva, rajas and tamas. The snake around his neck represents the power of kundalini. The sound of damaru in his hand represents the  universal heart beat or the sound of OM.

Sri Ramakrishna's state of mind can also be compared with Shiva - the meditative mood in samadhi and the mood of a devotee. In both these moods Ramakrishna was constantly busy in intoxicating the world with the love of God to remove the ignorance. His oneness with Shiva can be witnessed from various stories of his life. His mother got the divine experience in front of Shiva temple even before his birth. As a small boy, he lost all the outer consciousness while enacting the part of Shiva. Mathurbabu saw the living form of Kali and Shiva residing in the Master's body. That experience convinced Mathurbabu of the Master's divine personality. 

Master looked upon Shiva as the absolute Truth. He trained many of his direct disciples to meditate on the Lord Shiva and help them achieve the direct experience of the Absolute.