Newsletter June 10, 2015

Newsletter Archives

 

Upcoming 'Special' 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

Click here for more information.

 

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:
$5.00 Walk-in Hatha Yoga with Hannah Resseger on Tuesdays from 6pm – 7pm: Contact Hannah ONLY at:  key2life-AT-gmail.com

Summer Events 2015 -Reserve the dates

 

Weekly Programs (in addition to Daily Programs given below)

Friday, June 12	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study Class by Swami Yogatmananda on 'Kenopanisad', a Vedanta Upanisad Text.
Saturday, June 13	9:30 AM  – 7:00 PM: DAY-LONG RETREAT - open to those pre-registered;  See information above.
Sunday, June 14	5:00 – 6:00 PM:A talk on - ‘Sabbath for Man, Not Man for Sabbath’ by Swami Yogatmananda 6:00 – 7:30 PM: Classical VIOLIN Concert by Jagan Ramamoorthy; accompanied on Tabla by Amit Kavthekar
Tuesday, June 16	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 936

 

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

 

Past Events

1) Swami to Indianapolis - Wed. June 03 - Thurs. June 04
Swami attended  the inaugural opening of the Hindu Temple of Indianapolis and returned Friday morning, June 05.
2) Day-long Meditation - Sat. June 06, 2015, 12noon – 8:00PM
Fourteen devotees participated in this  monthly  ‘long mediation session’, from 12 noon to 8pm. This is the last monthly long-meditation session until the fall session resumes.
3) Bhagavad Gita class, Middletown CT – Sun. June 07, 10:30am - 11:30am
Swami Yogatmananda conducted  the monthly Bhagavad Gita (Ch.18 cont.) at Sri Satyanarayana Temple (10 Training Hill Rd, Middletown, CT) to about fifteen devotees.
4) Children’s Sunday ‘Spiritual-Arts & Storytelling’ Class – Sun. June 07 , 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. 
Six children participated in the children’s program under guidance of Dorothy Abram. This was the final ‘Kids only!’ Sunday program until it resumes in the fall.

 

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

 

Study Class - 'Kenopanisad' - June 05, Friday

The Kena Upanishad takes up the problem of how can one know the knower (=True Self)? In ignorance It appears through all these fictitious distinctions, such as subject and object. Where does "I" end and the world begin? There is no demarcating line, except in ignorance. Therefore, the Self cannot be known in the manner in which objects are known. This truth must be realized. The Upanishads are meant to inspire us to experience the all-pervading reality, to get over the mistaken division between "I" and the world. A spiritual aspirant has to start from where he or she is. Due to our human constitution, we need to take help of images and symbols in sadhana. Kena Upanisad describes 3 symbols: 1.a flash of lightning in the outer world, 2. winking of the eye right in one's person, and 3. the mind, which is internal. Also it gives the word/name 'Vanam'. All these symbols and the name have an intrinsic connection with what they symbolize, namely the all-pervading reality. By meditating deeply on these symbols, we will become connected with the divine, and the little "I" will be dissolved.

 

Making a Doughnut Hole - June 07, Sunday
The scriptures discuss what it means for something to exist. The doughnut gives existence to the doughnut hole, which is secondary, and derived. Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to see things as they are - while names and forms are in flux, existence doesn't go away. The potter may turn a heap of clay into pots, barrels, drums, or lamps. The shapes change, but they are clay alone. There are two aspects of what we perceive: IS-ness, and name/form/function. The world is like a kaleidoscope, with two or three pieces of glass causing infinite images. When we see Divinity in the universe, we see the non-dual Reality, like the clay behind all pots. The Bhagavad Gita says: The unreal never is; the real never becomes not. This is both philosophical and practical, because our life is woven around what we see as real. We tend to see names and forms as real. The Buddha was associated with nihilism because he said all is empty. Swami Vivekananda said that no one can be a nihilist because we accept our own existence. Existence does not go away - the nature of things remains. When we understand that forms are unreal, the attraction for them vanishes. Until then, we pursue them, thinking that next time will be different. The wise person discerns between Reality and appearance. In Vedanta, God is Sat, existence itself. When a rope is seen as a snake, the rope is not affected at all. The effect is on the one who is superimposing. That which changes is not real, and that which does not change is Real. To have a peaceful and joyous life, with no fear, we need to see Reality with clarity.

 

Study Class - 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna' - June 09, Tuesday

During the conversation between M and Narendranath, Narendra was pouring his heart out while describing his inner spiritual struggle. He was hard-pressed by various worldly problems at that time on account of sudden death of his father. The fire of spiritual desire was also burning ablaze within him. Ordinarily when an aspirant faces such a difficult situation the spiritual struggle takes a back seat.
Narendra was disturbed as he was not getting the desired experience of Samadhi. All the spiritual aspirants go through this phase. They feel that in spite of their regular spiritual practices the God is not taking mercy on them. The real obstacle is our deep-rooted and intense attachment to the world. One must take great efforts to cut this attachment. No doubt, it is a very painful but an essential process.
He told M about his visions about the Ida and Pingala. He requested the Master to give him the experience of incessant Samadhi. Master admonished him for such a petty desire. As Master was aware of the grand plan behind Narendra's arrival in the world. He had the complete knowledge about Narendra's real nature and his capability. He was the special instrument to broadcast Master's message to the whole world. Otherwise it is not possible for the ordinary nervous system to sustain through the experience of Samadhi. Only Ishwarkotis can experience it and maintain their bodies to see the same Divine in the whole world. Master was preparing Narendra for that grand task.