Newsletter May 27, 2015

Newsletter Archives

 

Upcoming Events

Comprehensive Yoga Conference - Fri. June 19 - Sun. June 21

In celebration of the International Day of Yoga ( June 21^st), the Vedanta Society of Providence in collaboration with the Center for Indic Studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the India Association of Rhode Island (IARI) will offer a three-day Yoga conference on the practical aspects of Yoga including lectures, demos and workshops by experienced teachers and practicing subject-matter experts.

Friday, June 19 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday, June 20 - 9:30am - 5:00pm

Sunday, June 21 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Program details will be given soon.

 

New 6-Weeks Hatha Yoga Course - May 06 - June 10
Beginning Wednesday, May 06, a six-week ‘Mindful Flow’ Hatha Yoga class will be conducted at the Vedanta Society under the teaching of Ellen Schaefer of One Yoga Center, RI. The 6-week course will be $30.00 Pre-paid; and $10.00 per class walk-in. Contact Ellen at 401-368-9647.

 

Day-long Spiritual Retreat - Sat. June 13, 9:30AM - 7:00PM

Sub:'Crest Jewel of Discernment' (Viveka-Chudamani) of Sankaracharya

- by Swami Ishatmananda, Minister, Vedanta Society, Chicago

Reg. Fee $20.00 per person. Prior Reg. required. Register by mail or at the Vedanta Society or online.

Click here to download reg. form or to register online.

 

Classical Violin & Tabla Concert – Sun. June 14
From 6pm – 7:30pm, immediately following the Sunday Service Lecture, Pt. Jagan Ramamoorthy, prominent disciple of Padmabhusan Rajam, will perform classical Violin concert in Lower Level (LL), accompanied on Tabla by Amit Kavthekar, disciple of Ustad Allarakha; currently studying under Pandit Sudhir Mainkar. No entry Fee; suggested donation $15.00/person.

Other ongoing Classes:
1) $5.00 Walk-in Hatha Yoga with Hannah Resseger on Tuesdays from 6pm – 7pm: Contact Hannah ONLY at:  key2life-AT-gmail.com
2) Bharathanatyam (South Indian) Classical Dance Classes  on Sundays, 3:30 – 5:00 pm: Contact Anuradha ONLY at :  704-707-5430

 

Summer Events 2015 -Reserve the dates

 

Weekly Programs (in addition to Daily Programs given below)

Friday, May 29	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study Class by Swami Yogatmananda on 'Kenopanisad', a Vedanta Upanisad Text.
Saturday, May 30	8:30 – 10:30 AM: Karma yoga/cleaning 11:00 AM – 12 noon: Guided meditation/chanting and singing 7:00 PM-8PM:  Aarati (singing, a short reading & continued meditation)
Sunday, May 31	5:00 – 6:00 PM:A talk on - ‘No One But Me to Blame’  by Swami Yogatmanandaa 6:00 – 7:00 PM: Soup Supper 7:00 – 8:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music), a short reading & meditation
Tuesday, June 02	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study Class by Swami Yogatmananda on 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna', Ch 49, pp 934

 

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. 6' 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

 

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

 

Study Class - 'Kenopanisad' - May 22, Friday

The life lived within the confines of the body-mind complex is a terrible mistake. A life lived along these lines will bring nothing but terrible frustration to us. All happiness is within us, but instead of looking for the true source of happiness which dwells in our hearts as the true Self, we look for happiness in the sense objects of the world. The everlasting existence is beyond every object, beyond space and time. The Self is to be experienced through deep analysis of the all-pervading reality. It is not known in the way ordinary objects are known. Because the Self is not limited in space and time, It cannot be caught by the "net" of the mind. Knowledge of the Self is dependent upon the direct experience of the Self, a knowledge in which the subject, object, and subject-object relationship, which typify all ordinary forms of knowing, are dissolved. When one has the direct experience of the Self in every sensation, in every vibration of the mind, one attains immortality. Moreover, the Self is not actually unknown: first, the Self is known and then all other things are known, just as in a movie you cannot see the images on the screen without there first being a screen. Swami Vivekananda tells us that during the course of our lives we have seen nothing but God, but we have not seen it as God. This great truth must be realized by all means, in this life. Let us bear in mind that that is the primary purpose of life. The efforts we make to realize the all-pervading Self are the only thing that can truly impart meaning to one's life. If not, then it is a big loss.

 

Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone - May 24, Sunday
Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Other animals are satisfied if they have food, shelter, and mating conveniences.  But even if human beings have all these, they are dissatisfied. While Darwin pointed out that species change in order to survive, Julian Huxley noted that human beings evolve in mind and intellect. Bhartrihari, in the Niti- Shataka, attempts to arouse a higher dimension by saying that if a man has no interest in culture, he is like any animal. Swami Vivekananda said that when our infinite nature is realized, man becomes fearless and free. Religion, only in humans, is about discovering our ultimate purpose in life and how to get there. Sri Ramakrishna described the chakras, in which we symbolically evolve through seven steps: physical existence (like stones); procreation and multiplying; cultivating society (power, arts and culture); I am not the body and mind (beginning of the spiritual journey); I am not bound by space and time (can still be pulled down to lower levels); seeing God as through a glass (safe from falling and spiritual practice happens on its own); and a state where the glass or screen falls off. Without spiritual practice, we may fall down to lower steps. At step 3, going to step 4 is progress, but going to step 4 from step 5 is falling. The direction is important. We finally reach the step where Jesus said I and my Father are One; and Be ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

Study Class - 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna' - May 26, Tuesday

This day, it was one of the rare occasions when Sri Ramakrishna inquired about His illness. While He was physically ill during these days, He always used to be in a blissful state spiritually. There is really no connection between physical illness and spiritual bliss. Sri Ramakrishna's illness led devotees to make significant spiritual progress in His constant presence. It was much more than what could be achieved through significant tapasya (austerities). Spiritual teaching through words (written or spoken) is a cumbersome way of transmitting spirituality. If there is spiritual fervor in the teacher and a qualified instrument in the student, the transmission happens silently and very efficiently in the mere presence of the teacher. Such transmission is possible for students who are able to establish such a "wireless" connection with the teacher.
Sri Ramakrishna's illness also served the purpose of sifting the disciples into the ones of inner and outer circles. The devotees of inner circle had to overcome unsurmountable obstacles to be with Him and to serve Him. This was the sign of the devotees' deepening love for Sri Ramakrishna. The intensity of devotion makes large obstacles seem minor. During this time Sri Ramakrishna was preparing for the future by training the disciples of His inner circle. Unlike ordinary people He did not "plan" for this training. His complete lack of ego meant that He could not plan for such things. He mentioned that He was increasingly experiencing the tendency of his mind to go towards the formless indicating that He may not live too long. He could clearly "see" the Formless Indivisible Satchidananda. It is matter of great meditation for us to imagine what Sri Ramakrishna's experience of the Formless might be. Words are unable to communicate this experience.