Newsletter January 30, 2013

 

Newsletter Archives

Upcoming Events

 

Swami Vivekananda Puja/Worship Day – Sunday, Feb. 03

Worship: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM; Prasad-lunch: 1:00 - 2:00 PM; Video: 2:00 - 4:00 PM; Music: 4:15 - 4:45PM; Symposium: 5:00 - 6:00 PM; Chant-Music & Meditation: 6:00 - 7:00 PM; Dinner follows. All are invited to any or all program. Program schedule is subject to change.

 

Weekly Programs

Friday, Feb. 01	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study class on Bhagavad Gita, Ch. 17
Saturday, Feb. 02	8:30 – 10:30 AM: Karma yoga/cleaning 11:00am – 12 noon: Guided meditation and singing
Sunday, Feb. 03	11:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Swami Vivekananda Puja/Worship Day (see details above) 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Symposium on Swami Vivekananda 6:00 PM: Aarati and chanting of Śiva-nāma Sankirtanam (108 names)
Tuesday, Feb. 05	7:00 PM: Aarati (devotional music) & meditation 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Study class on The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - Ch. 44, p. 846

 

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
Evening :	7:00 – 7:15 PM: Aarti (devotional music), with a short reading from Swami Chetanananda's book: ‘Mahendra Nath Gupta ‘M’' 7:15 – 8:15 PM: Meditation

 

Past Events

 

Salutations! – Saturday, Jan. 26

On Saturday, January 26, the birth anniversary of Swami Turiyananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, was observed with a morning chant, and in the evening with a song, reading of his biography and prasad.

 

Swami in Tiverton RI – Sunday, Jan. 27

A guided meditation was conducted by Swami Yogatmananda at Amicable Congregational Church (UCC), 3736 Main Road in Tiverton RI to about 100 congregation attendees during their 10:00 AM Sunday Service hour.

 

Swami at New England Tech. – Tuesday, Jan. 29

Swami Yogatmananda discussed Hinduism and Vedanta for the World Religion studies class (four students and teacher) at New England Technology Institute in East Greenwich RI on Tuesday, January 29 from 12 noon-2:00pm.

 

Swami at Rhode Island College – Wednesday, Jan. 30

Swami Yogatmananda discussed Hinduism and Vedanta and answered several questions to about 28 students (and the professor) in the World Religion studies class from 2:15-3:45 PM at Rhode Island College in Providence on Wednesday, Jan. 30

Click here to see photo.

 

Synopses of Last Week's Classes

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

 

Bhagavad Gita – Friday, Jan. 25

Ch. 17, Verses 1-3: In the 17th chapter of the Gita, Lord Krishna provides insight into human nature, our perceptions, and the faith that really guides our actions. At the end of the 16th chapter, Lord Krishna emphasizes that we should act according to what is told by the scripture and by the sages, since they authoritatively provide insights into what cannot be perceived by our sense organs. Although many of life’s problems lie in the world of the senses, their causes and solutions often lie beyond sense perception. Therefore, if we want to solve these problems, we must look for a solution that lies beyond the realm of the senses, being guided not by our passions or desires but by a scriptural authority or sage. At the beginning of the 17th chapter, Arjuna asks about the spiritual welfare of those who are earnest about seeking self-realization but do not have access to a scriptural authority or sage, and therefore must perform actions according to shraddha, or faith. Shraddha is not a superficial belief; rather it is that faith which determines the way in which we act. One’s shraddha may be predominantly one of three types: saatvika, rajasika, or tamasika. According to the predominant type, each person has a very unique and specific view of who he or she is and what the world is. As a result of this inherent faith, our behaviors, our attitudes, and our relationships manifest in very different ways. The faith of each person is in accordance with the accumulated impressions one has formed in the mind over the course of multiple lifetimes. In the next class, we will further examine the three different types of shraddha.

 

Let's be Practical – Sunday, Jan. 27

The word practical is defined as something being hands on and applied. Every individual likes to be practical; no one likes ideas that are not tangible. Result-oriented action is considered practical. Religion is often considered impractical as for many, it only means ‘believing this or that’ without any practical impact on our daily life. But, if understood correctly, the opposite is true - religion makes our life practically full of bliss and helps us get over ignorance. An individual’s stand on issues is based on their understanding and understandings can change in one’s life. There are various aspects of practicality, but the knowledge of the truth is the most practical or tangible. Pleasures come to an end; therefore it is worthless to run after them. Truth is the only real thing. Is it practical to get entangled in unreal things? Getting a higher knowledge with an evolved understanding a person will realize what is truly practical in life. Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda are two immensely practical yet spiritual individuals. Sri Ramakrishna told Swami Vivekananda that he sees God palpably; and anyone could do the same. Everything is really God; we see nothing but God, but we need to see that as God. Learn to see something as it really is and that is what is truly practical. Swami Vivekananda said to worship the Living God. He also added “Do not neglect the Living God and not run after any other idols”. That’s being practical.

 

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna – Tuesday, Jan. 29

Master was sitting in his room, surrounded by devotees. M brought in one physician to examine the Master's health. ‘People say, if you are so holy then why you should be so sick?’ Master asked. Ordinarily it is thought that a holy person will always maintain very good health. As such, there is no connection between holiness and health. Because people see the individual and his body to be inseparable, this confusion takes place. Many people raised this question even in case of Master's illness. They had their doubts about His spiritual attainments after witnessing his bodily sickness. Tarak, who later on became Swami Shivananda, commented that even Bhagavan Das Babaji - a great Vaishnava saint also suffered from sickness for many years. Bhagavan Das Babaji was the spiritual leader of the Vaishnava sect. For last few years of his life he was bed-ridden. Actually, there is no connection between health and holiness. Goswami - a vaishnava devotee who was present there said Master's illness is due to accepting the sins of people coming to Him. It is believed that incarnations can absorb the sins of other people and that is the cause of their suffering. One present there suggested the Master to ask Divine Mother to cure his disease. But Master was in such a condition that He could not pray for His body. His awareness about the body was just like a sheath. He experienced God alone residing in Him. There was no separate I who can pray for the wellness of the body. One devotee asked about the singing. Devotees were little reluctant for music as Sri Ramakrishna used to go in Samadhi due to that. They thought that the ecstasy aggravated His illness and hence tried to keep Him away from that. After a little singing M left with the Doctor.