Newsletter May 23, 2012

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

Bhagavad Gita class – May 18, Friday

Ch 14, verses 6-8

In this 14th chapter, Sri Krishna, the great psychologist, illuminates the three gunas, or psychological types, which are present in some mixture within each of us.  It is paramount for us to remember that all three of the gunas--tamas, rajas, and satva--can lead to bondage.  We are quick to typify something as wholly-bad or wholly-good, but we need to see that good and bad are relative.  Nothing can be entirely good or entirely bad.  Whatever helps us in attaining our goal at a particular stage is good, at that time; this same practice, path, or association may be a hindrance later.  We are inclined to assume that satva guna, which is characterized by feelings of compassion, peace, and benevolence, is good.  This is why Sri Krishna examines this particular guna first.  He explains that satva guna can indeed be a good thing because it can lead us toward illumination, but it also will eventually lead to bondage by creating an attachment to happiness and knowledge.  We get attached to the positive emotions associated with a satvic personality and also to the understanding and pleasure that comes from studying holy books.  When we understand scripture, it creates a very pure feeling of joy in us, but then we risk getting attached to this feeling, which we associate with study, and we neglect to put into practice that which we study.  As Sri Sankara stated, the very nature of the Self is bliss; anytime a feeling of bliss comes from outside the Self, it will bind us.   Satva’s potential to bind us is especially strong, because it appears so wonderful and does not look like a bondage.  It is much easier to recognize the bondage created by tamas and rajas.  As Swami Vivekananda proclaims in “Song of the Sannyasin:” “Strike off thy fetters! Bonds that bind thee down, Of shining gold or darker, baser ore; Love, hate; good, bad; and all the dual throng, Know, slave is slave, caressed or whipped, not free For fetters, though of gold, are not less strong to bind; Then off with them, Sannyasin bold! Say ‘Om tat sat, Om!’”  All three gunas can be both helpful or harmful, depending upon the individual and the context.  We should work to cultivate satva guna, since cultivation of satva can liberate us from the other lower gunas.  In some cases, the cultivation of rajas is helpful, because the activity of rajas can pull a person from the inertia of tamas.  For others, tamas can sometimes be beneficial, allowing for rest from excessive action.  However, we must remember that none of these three gunas is our ultimate goal; they will each ultimately bind us, and we must strive to be liberated from them. 

Some Notable Disciples of Buddha  - May 20, Sunday

The greatness of a teacher can be seen in the disciples he has produced.  In the book, The Great Disciples of the Buddha, Nyanponika Thera and Hellmuth Hecker tell the stories (a mingling of historical truth and anecdotes) of many of Buddha's most prominent disciples.  Of these, the two closest to him were Sariputta and Magellan.  These two great disciples had grown up as close friends and decided to search for the Purpose of life after attending a 3-day festival and experiencing its meaninglessness. Together, they began looking for a teacher.  After very briefly studying with Sanjaya, and learning all that was possible to learn from him, Sariputta "entered the stream" upon hearing one of Buddha's disciples tell that everything that has a beginning has an end and that clinging does not eliminate suffering.  After informing his friend Moggallan, as well as Sanjaya, Sariputta went to study with Buddha (with Magellan soon to follow). Both Sariputta and Magellan had many fine qualities of leadership. Sariputta was known for his tremendous caring, forbearance, and compassion, while Magellan had such great purity of mind that many psychic powers came to him.  Another great, and the most well-known, disciple of Buddha is Ananda, who served as Buddha's attendant and confidante.  Many of Buddha's teachings came through Ananda.  For example, in one instance, Buddha assigned Ananda to sew robes for some of the monks at a particular place.  Ananda did a wonderful job, and Buddha praised him.  Then at the next place, after Buddha's sermon, Ananda prompted Buddha, telling him that it was now time to once again sew new robes for the monks there. Buddha admonished Ananda, telling him that there is a tendency, once one is praised for some service, to seek that particular work again, not to serve, but to get the praise. Another of Buddha's disciples, Ahimsala (previously known as Angulimala) had killed 999 people.  Needing to kill one more, he first chased his own mother and then Buddha; rather than killing, he became one of Buddha's students.  Ahimsala then became pure of mind, and no longer was bound by his past actions.  As also expressed in the Bhagavad Gita, Knowledge burns away all karma.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna  - May 22, Tuesday

Sri Ramakrishna is narrating about His spiritual practices to the devotees. He says " there is another Person dwelling in this body. Otherwise, after attaining Samadhi, how could I live with the devotees and enjoy the love of God?" He was in the midst of worldly people but His life never manifested a trace of desire or ego. Ordinary worldly people lead an instinctive life with an intense desire to get pleasures from the world. Unfortunately, they keep getting blows from the world instead of happiness. At an opportune time, the wisdom dawns on them that the pleasure is not outside. Then one starts the introspection. One has to put aside the ego in the enquiry of this path. One has to follow the guided path to correct his/her mistake. But there are some rare souls who never get bound. They come in this world on their own accord. They are considered as God Incarnations. It is very difficult to understand this phenomenon by applying logic or the limited scope of our understanding. The laws of cause and effect will not be applicable to the Incarnations.
There are some peculiar characteristics associated with all the incarnations. They are completely devoid of any desire, selfishness or ego. They live among the worldly people but that does not cloud their understanding. They conduct their life as an example to be followed by the seekers of the Truth. It is very difficult to believe in this idea of incarnation. The mind becomes doubtful every now and then. Even Swami Vivekananda was not an exception to this. He tested Sri Ramakrishna in various ways and at different times which serves as a testimony for all of us. That help us in clearing our own doubts.