question

[Guest guest]

An interesting question from one of our A/S level students who is

manning (or woman-ing!!) a website for youngsters. I would like the

opinion from list members.

 

jay....

 

-

<Devia.Ravji

<vivekananda

Thursday, December 07, 2000 01:48

Question

 

 

> Is fate fixed!!!

>

> Some people say that some events in your life are fixed & the rest is make

> up as you go along.

>

> The fixed bits are Janam (birth), Parents, Lagan & Maran (marriage and

death).

>

> Your opinion would be duly welcomed by our website.

>

> Thanks

==================

Reply:

 

This question: Is there free will? -- has bothered philosophers for a long

time.

The more elaborate question:

Is Hindu belief: That birth, death and marriage are predestined, true?

 

 

I am going to throw this question open to our list.

Let us see how the list reacts.

 

regards

Vivekananda Centre

[Guest guest]

-

" Madhoo Soodan " <madhoo

<Vivekananda >; <Devia.Ravji

Sunday, December 10, 2000 01:53

RE: [Vivekananda] Re: Question

 

 

> I cannot say if this question is answerable at all. Here are some

> thoughts/my views on the topic of fate:

>

> Rising of the Sun is a simple truth and is fixed in its routine. For some

> the rising of the sun may be yet another opportiunity to accomplish new

> things for one more day. For others the risning of the sun may be the loss

> of the tranquility of the night in which they were able to forget all

their

> problems which they are about to face for yet another day. Is the rising

of

> Sun our fate (albeit good or bad). To me it seems that each rising of the

> sun is simply an event in our life. This event in itself is completely

> unspoilt. As such it is beyond fate. Yet the event may be a very

> significant catalyst in the maturity of our fate.

>

> Just as the sunrise, there are many such unspoilt events in our lives.

> These include: sunrise, sunset, day, night,rain, sunshine, hot, cold,

> spring, autumn, summer, winter, sleeping, awakening, breathing in,

breathing

> out, eating, drinking, walking, resting, talking, listening, thinking,

> birth, death etc. The process of growing a mature tree from a mere seed is

> somewhat pre-determined. However,the actual outcome can be affected by:

(i)

> the unspoilt events e.g the rain, the seasons etc. and (ii) the actions

of

> the farmer i.e. by looking after the crop.

>

> I would suggest that fate is our own creation. Perhaps, it is the fruition

> of our actions. The actual outcome of these actions can be affected by

both

> the unspoilt events of life as well as the doer of the action.

Consequently,

> I do not feel that fate can be pre-ordained (i.e. fixed), as we have the

> opportunity to change it in every breath. Fate is the fruit or the mature

> tree. Our actions are the seed. We are the farmers. Fixed events e.g.

> Birth, Death etc. are the seasons.

>

>

>

> Madhoo Soodan

>

>

>

> >

> > Vivekananda Centre [vivekananda]

> > 07 December 2000 18:47

> > Devia.Ravji; viv list

> > [Vivekananda] Re: Question

> >

> >

> > An interesting question from one of our A/S level students who is

> > manning (or woman-ing!!) a website for youngsters. I would like the

> > opinion from list members.

> >

> > jay....

> >

> > -

> > <Devia.Ravji

> > <vivekananda

> > Thursday, December 07, 2000 01:48

> > Question

> >

> >

> > > Is fate fixed!!!

> > >

> > > Some people say that some events in your life are fixed & the

> > rest is make

> > > up as you go along.

> > >

> > > The fixed bits are Janam (birth), Parents, Lagan & Maran (marriage

and

> > death).

> > >

> > > Your opinion would be duly welcomed by our website.

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > ==================

> > Reply:

> >

> > This question: Is there free will? -- has bothered philosophers

> > for a long

> > time.

> > The more elaborate question:

> > Is Hindu belief: That birth, death and marriage are predestined, true?

> >

> >

> > I am going to throw this question open to our list.

> > Let us see how the list reacts.

> >

> > regards

> > Vivekananda Centre

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Vivekananda Centre London

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> Vivekananda Centre London

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

" Swaminathan Venkataraman " <nachiketas

 

 

> This mail came to another mailing list. Can members please respond

directly

> to the person since I am not sure if he is still a member of our group?

>

> Swami

>

> >michael.sabani

> >

> >

> >Hello,

> >

> could someone answer a question for me that I haven't been

> >able to find an answer to?

> >What is arati?

> >

> >Michael Sabani

> >

Dear Michael

 

The GCSE Hinduism syllabus requires learning about Aarti..

 

It is a religious ceremony sometimes called the welcoming

ceremony, sometimes called the invocation ceremony.

 

It is conducted using a lamp with five wicks (to represent the five

elements) which is gently waved in a clockwise direction in

front of the deity.

 

Hope this helps

 

regards

jay

Vivekananda Centre London

[Guest guest]

Question from DR Mourad

 

Can the list members respond directly or via the list?

 

jay...

 

-

dr.mourad

Vivekananda Centre

Sunday, August 26, 2001 09:48

Question

 

 

Hi

While reading the spiritual literature of the late Indian sages Sri Ramana

Maharishi, Sri Krishna Menon and Sri Shankara

they all mentioned and emphasized that the world as such is an illusion, mirage

or dream like and the ego should be cast off and annihilated so as the truth of

our everyday experience be uncovered.

Please explain

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~response~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Dr Maroud

 

Your question is very central to the teachings of Advaita Vedanta.

I have asked our list to respond.

 

regards

jay

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

-

" Florent " <dnsflrnt

<hindu

Friday, October 05, 2001 01:16

Question

 

 

Sir.

>

> My name is Denis FLORENT.I'm 30 years old and I'm french.

> I'm a young searcher about the ancient indian astronomy. Have you some

> informations,some details about the indian goddess :Kali : mother of

> Universe...especially the relation between Kali and the Universe.

>

> Thank You.

>

> Yours Sincerely.

>

> D.Florent

 

=============response===========

 

Dear Florent

 

We will get back to you with some responses from our list members

 

regards

jay

Vivekananda Centre London

[Guest guest]

Following interesting question came to us:

Members welcome to reply directly or via the list......jay / Vivekananda Centre

 

 

-

Shashikiran Prabhakar

ps_kiran

hindu

Wednesday, December 12, 2001 04:46

Question

 

 

" " Renunciation: The central theme of the Gita is renunciation. " Work away; but

offer the fruits of your actions to God. Do not run after the objects of the

senses. Lead a detached life. " "

 

when it says offer fruits of your actions to God. Can you explain how one can

actually implement this? thanks

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Ramakrishna, " Vivekananda Centre " <vivekananda@b...>

wrote:

> Following interesting question came to us:

> Members welcome to reply directly or via the list......jay /

Vivekananda Centre

>

>

> -

> Shashikiran Prabhakar

> ps_kiran@h...

> hindu@b...

> Wednesday, December 12, 2001 04:46

> Question

>

>

> " " Renunciation: The central theme of the Gita is

renunciation. " Work away; but offer the fruits of your actions to

God. Do not run after the objects of the senses. Lead a detached

life. " "

>

If you go by the circumstances in which Lord Krishna delivered the

message in the Gita to Arjuna, in midst of the battlefield of

Mahabharata,one can hardly say that the central theme of the Gita

is renunciation.

> when it says offer fruits of your actions to God. Can you explain

how one can actually implement this? thanks

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Kiran:

 

I have found the constant repitition of your Chosen Deity (i.e., Japa) while

in the midst of your active life is very helpful in rising above " me and

mine, " as you strive toward " Thee and Thine. " Let Japa become your mental

" screen saver, " as you practice it whenever the full attention of your mind

is not needed for whatever activity you are engaged in.

 

God Bless,

Brad

[Guest guest]

-

jagannath M

Monday, April 08, 2002 12:11

Question

 

 

I am Jagannath. I got the e-mail address from the website.

I request you to please answer my basic question on spirituality.

 

1). If we are all part of the God then why did we came to this world ?.

Our present state is according to our karma of last life. then I

want to KNOW is at the first time why did we came here?

Before that what is the our state ? and after getting Mukti what

will be our state?

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~response from Vivekananda Centre ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Dear Jagannath

 

 

Very good question..... let us see what response our list can provide.

We do not promise that we will 'answer your question'.

But I am sure we will respond to your question

in a wide variety of ways.

 

jay Vivekananda Centre London

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

Here is what Thakur said:

 

" Adopt adequate means for the end you seek to attain. You cannot get

butter by crying yourself hoarse, 'There is butter in the milk'! If

you wish to make butter, you must turn the milk into curds, and churn

it well. Then alone you can get butter. So if you long to see God,

practise spiritual exercises. What is the use of merely crying 'Lord!

Lord!'?

 

Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, #432

Advaita Ashram, 6th Impression, 1967.

 

Regards,

 

Sunder

 

 

 

 

Ramakrishna, " Vivekananda Centre " <vivekananda@b...>

wrote:

> -

> jagannath M

> Monday, April 08, 2002 12:11

> Question

>

>

> I am Jagannath. I got the e-mail address from the website.

> I request you to please answer my basic question on spirituality.

>

> 1). If we are all part of the God then why did we came to this

world ?.

> Our present state is according to our karma of last life.

then I

> want to KNOW is at the first time why did we came here?

> Before that what is the our state ? and after getting Mukti

what

> will be our state?

>

>

>

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~response from Vivekananda Centre ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

> Dear Jagannath

>

>

> Very good question..... let us see what response our list can

provide.

> We do not promise that we will 'answer your question'.

> But I am sure we will respond to your question

> in a wide variety of ways.

>

> jay Vivekananda Centre London

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

God is Infinite and merged in His own bliss. He is the

eternal and only one and to Him, there is no

subject-object difference. He being infinite is the

entertainer

the entertained and also the entertainment Itself. He

dreams and the entire creation destruction cycle all

is

inside His dream. Like a child creating sand castles

and breaking them both in fun, He does so with the

entire Universe. He is in it, it is a part of Him and

He is much more than the Universe known by thought. So

God does not need entertainment as we do and the

concept of boredom, sadness, don't apply to God. He is

beyond boredom and all things that we know or think

of.

 

Respectfully and in the Master,

Suresh

 

--- Brad Stephan <brad wrote:

> Greetings:

>

> Any thoughts/scripture on this question: " What

> keeps God from getting bored? "

>

> If God is All-Knowing, then there is nothing new for

> Him to know or discover or experience. And, if the

> answer is " creatures or creation " where He gains new

> experiences, then it seems He is not Perfect unto

> Himself.

>

> Thanks,

> Brad

>

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

Hi Brad -

 

God must be enjoying his play of creating infinite

intelligent men, women, keep some dangerous traps like

Kamini-Kanchan and just enjoy how they liberate

themselves ...He must be enjoying the sweet relations

with Devotees...He must be busy in listening all their

needs, demands and sometimes their orders ?

 

He needs to take care of his children, I think he must

not have time to get bored (?) Just my views though.

 

Jai Sri Ramkrishna !!!

 

--- Brad Stephan <brad wrote:

> Greetings:

>

> Any thoughts/scripture on this question: " What

> keeps God from getting bored? "

>

> If God is All-Knowing, then there is nothing new for

> Him to know or discover or experience. And, if the

> answer is " creatures or creation " where He gains new

> experiences, then it seems He is not Perfect unto

> Himself.

>

> Thanks,

> Brad

>

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

He is not bored as He is always engaged in action.

 

Because, if I do not engage in action relentlessly, O

Arjuna, people would follow My path in every way.

(Gita 3.23)

 

These worlds would perish if I do not work, and I

shall be the cause of confusion and destruction of all

these people. (Gita 3.24)

 

 

 

--- Brad Stephan <brad wrote:

> Greetings:

>

> Any thoughts/scripture on this question: " What

> keeps God from getting bored? "

>

> If God is All-Knowing, then there is nothing new for

> Him to know or discover or experience. And, if the

> answer is " creatures or creation " where He gains new

> experiences, then it seems He is not Perfect unto

> Himself.

>

> Thanks,

> Brad

>

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

Dear fg:

It would be good if you could track that down, because it certainly is not

in the books we know, nor have any of our swamis even mentioned it, to my

knowledge. Erroneous ideas should be nipped in the bud.

Yogeshananda

[Guest guest]

Dear Revered Devotees,

 

It is said that Purna was also an Ishwarkoti. Thakur

brought 6 with Him of which 5 joined the order. They

are Swami Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Swami

Niranjanananda, Swami Yogananda and Swami Premananda

The other was Purnachandra Ghosh who was forced by His

family to get married. The Master loved Him very much

and took care of Him until He left the body.

 

Suresh

 

--- faintglow <faintglow wrote:

> Dear Devotees,

>

> I came across a reference recently to a second soul

> that Sri

> Ramakrishna brought down along with Swami

> Vivekananda. (I believe it

> was somewhere on the Sri Chinmoy website, though I

> am not absolutely

> sure that is where I came across it). The account

> suggested that the

> level of attainment of this soul was of the same

> order of magnitude

> as that of Swami Vivekananda but that it had been

> lost in the coils

> of Samsara upon landing, never to find its way to

> the blessed feet of

> Sri Ramakrishna. This is cited as an example of how

> even the greatest

> can be ensnared by Mahamaya. I would like to know if

> anyone on this

> newsgroup has any more information on this. I have

> read the 'Gospels

> 1 & 2', Christopher Isherwood's book and 'They lived

> with God' by Swami

> Chetanananda but I do not recall any mention of

> this.

>

> Thanks and regards

>

> fg

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

And we hear so less of Bhavanath too ... what happened

to him after the passing away of Thakur.

 

Thakur probably considered him to be of a very high

order too.

 

Sorry, I do not remember the places in the Gospel, but

here is an extract from

http://www.kathamrita.org/kathamrita/k1sec14.htm

 

 

When he comes, he immediately sends Balaram to invite

them. Says he, “Please go and invite Narendra,

Bhavanath and Rakhal. Please invite Purna, the Younger

Naren, Narayana ­ all these devotees. Feeding them is

like feeding Narayana (God). They are not ordinary.

They are parts of divinity manifest in the flesh. You

will be greatly benefited if you feed them.”

 

 

 

--- Suresh <suresh_rathnam wrote:

> Dear Revered Devotees,

>

> It is said that Purna was also an Ishwarkoti. Thakur

> brought 6 with Him of which 5 joined the order. They

> are Swami Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Swami

> Niranjanananda, Swami Yogananda and Swami Premananda

> The other was Purnachandra Ghosh who was forced by

> His

> family to get married. The Master loved Him very

> much

> and took care of Him until He left the body.

>

> Suresh

>

> --- faintglow <faintglow wrote:

> > Dear Devotees,

> >

> > I came across a reference recently to a second

> soul

> > that Sri

> > Ramakrishna brought down along with Swami

> > Vivekananda. (I believe it

> > was somewhere on the Sri Chinmoy website, though I

> > am not absolutely

> > sure that is where I came across it). The account

> > suggested that the

> > level of attainment of this soul was of the same

> > order of magnitude

> > as that of Swami Vivekananda but that it had been

> > lost in the coils

> > of Samsara upon landing, never to find its way to

> > the blessed feet of

> > Sri Ramakrishna. This is cited as an example of

> how

> > even the greatest

> > can be ensnared by Mahamaya. I would like to know

> if

> > anyone on this

> > newsgroup has any more information on this. I have

> > read the 'Gospels

> > 1 & 2', Christopher Isherwood's book and 'They lived

> > with God' by Swami

> > Chetanananda but I do not recall any mention of

> > this.

> >

> > Thanks and regards

> >

> > fg

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

> http://search.

>

>

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

Respected Swami Yogeshanandaji,

 

Thank you very much for your kind clarification. I did manage to

track down the reference. Please refer to the link below:

 

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/avatars-masters/avatars-masters/29

 

Actually, upon browsing through the matter available at the above

library I realize that it is by no means an authoritative or reliable

source for Sri Ramakrishna material. To explain why I landed at this

unlikely destination in the first instance, I must point out that I

was searching the net (via google) for stories of Sri Nag Mahashay,

one of the many figures around Sri Ramakrishna that I have come to

revere. One of the links my searching turned up was a short book

(from the Sri Chinmoy library) containing a narration of some of the

incidents in the life of Sri Nag Mahashay. From there, I happened to

jump to the link referenced above. I apologize for taking up the time

of this group with a question arising from questionable source

material.

 

My humble pranams at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna,

 

fg

 

Ramakrishna , Swami Yogeshananda

<yogeshananda@v...> wrote:

> Dear fg:

> It would be good if you could track that down, because it certainly

is not

> in the books we know, nor have any of our swamis even mentioned it,

to my

> knowledge. Erroneous ideas should be nipped in the bud.

> Yogeshananda

[Guest guest]

Dear faintglow,

 

I have been an avid reader of SRK literature since the

past two decades but this is new to me.

 

The only parallel I can draw is that Bhairavi Brahmani

was divinely ordained to teach three souls, one of

whom was Sri Ramakrishna. While Sri Ramakrishna could

consume the poison like tempatation of tantric

siddhis, the other two failed miserably.

 

While on SRK literature it is wise to stick to the

accounts of the revered monks of the Ramakrishna

Order.

Some religious institutions often take a devilish

delight in distorting the facts about the Holy Trio.

 

Regards

Jagannath.

 

 

--- faintglow <faintglow wrote:

> Dear Devotees,

>

> I came across a reference recently to a second soul

> that Sri

> Ramakrishna brought down along with Swami

> Vivekananda. (I believe it

> was somewhere on the Sri Chinmoy website, though I

> am not absolutely

> sure that is where I came across it). The account

> suggested that the

> level of attainment of this soul was of the same

> order of magnitude

> as that of Swami Vivekananda but that it had been

> lost in the coils

> of Samsara upon landing, never to find its way to

> the blessed feet of

> Sri Ramakrishna. This is cited as an example of how

> even the greatest

> can be ensnared by Mahamaya. I would like to know if

> anyone on this

> newsgroup has any more information on this. I have

> read the 'Gospels

> 1 & 2', Christopher Isherwood's book and 'They lived

> with God' by Swami

> Chetanananda but I do not recall any mention of

> this.

>

> Thanks and regards

>

> fg

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

My thanks to Edith and SRK Child - - - I believe I have a better understanding that "boredom" (or, questioning Brahman's "raison d'être") is a function of Maya, and does not even exist within Satchitananda.

 

God Bless,

Brad

[Guest guest]

Yes Suresh,

 

Purna was a very promising soul but felt terribly

ashamed about his marriage. However his gurubhais

totally ignored this aspect and mixed with him as

before. Sri Ramakrishna pointed out Purna to be an

ishwarkoti but nowhere has he compared him to Swami

Vivekananda. It is interesting to note that Swami

Brahmananda was able to shake off his marriage episode

completely but Purna obviously could not.

 

Regards

Jagannath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

http://search.

[Guest guest]

Ramakrishna , " faintglow " <faintglow>

wrote:

> Respected Swami Yogeshanandaji,

a question arising from questionable source

> material.

>

> My humble pranams at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna,

>

> fg

>

> Ramakrishna , Swami Yogeshananda

> <yogeshananda@v...> wrote:

Erroneous ideas should be nipped in the bud.

> > Yogeshananda

 

Namaste,

 

One more evidence of the same questionable source!

 

http://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/avatars-masters/avatars-masters/43

 

 

Regards,

 

Sunder

[Guest guest]

> could you please guide me if the rk mission takes

> formal classes in meditation and concentration

 

not sure. but if you start visiting a rk mission, the

swami there will help you with any instructions which

you may need.

 

> also please guide regarding the correct route from

> where to get guidance

 

the best way to be guided is by an expert - a swami.

if there is a rk mission close to where you live, you

can go there.

if it is not close, you can rely on books and try to

go to the rk mission once in a while.

 

> you could also tell me about a few good books as

> well

 

there are hundreds of books written by the swamis of

rk mission itself. so there is a lot to choose from.

depends on your inclination and what all books you

have already read.

 

here are some books which i started with :

 

(1) Initial exposure via some lectures of Swami

Vivekananda from the Volume 2 of Complete Works of

Swami Vivekananda

 

(2) Biography of Swami Vivekananda by Swami

Nikhilananda

 

(3) Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

 

(4) Lectures from Columbo to Almora

 

(5) Life of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda by

Romain Rolland

 

 

 

 

Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook.

http://calendar.

[Guest guest]

Dear Vatsal,

 

As far as I know meditation classes are held at the

Vivekananda Centre of Human Excellence at Hyderabad.

 

We at Bhubaneswar are also thinking of holding

meditation classes (Hatha Yoga classes are going on).

I am trying to take the initiative on this matter.

 

Two good books I would recommend are;

 

1. Meditation - Monks of the Ramakrishna Order.

2. Meditation and Patanjali's Yoga.

 

You could also read the following from Swamiji

himself;

 

1. Sadhana - Preparations for a Higher Life.

2. Six lessons on Raja Yoga.

 

Always remember, self control and a higher motive

holds the key to meditation, and also that meditation

is beyond sitting in a posture and concentrating. True

meditation should continue in the work sphere also. As

a precursor to good meditation Swamiji always stressed

perfection in work.

 

All the best,

 

Jagannath.

 

--- vatsaltayal <vatsaltayal wrote:

> respected members

> could you please guide me if the rk mission takes

> formal classes in

> meditation and concentration

> also please guide regarding the correct route from

> where toi get

> guidance

> you could also tell me about a few good books as

> well

> vatsal

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook.

http://calendar.

[Guest guest]

Dear Vatsal,

 

Try this following book

 

" Meditation and Spiritual Life " By Swami Yatiswarananda from

Ramakrishna Mission Publications.

 

This is a most valuable, authoritative, and popular volume by a

widely respected monk of the Ramakrishna Order. Serves as a practical

manual of spiritual life for sincere aspirants eager to attain

spiritual fulfillment. Contains guidance on meditation in all its

aspects, from preliminary preparations to genuine spiritual

experiences.

 

Regards ...Charan Dass.

 

 

Ramakrishna , " vatsaltayal " <vatsaltayal@h...>

wrote:

> respected members

> could you please guide me if the rk mission takes formal classes in

> meditation and concentration

> also please guide regarding the correct route from where toi get

> guidance

> you could also tell me about a few good books as well

> vatsal

[Guest guest]

Ramakrishna , " Vivekananda Centre "

<vivekananda@b...> wrote:

> -

> " pradeep kumar " <pradeep37@h...>

> <hindu@b...>

> Monday, November 17, 2003 08:01

> question

>

>

> > Hello ,

> >

> > I am trying to find out if Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa is

> available

> > in Hindi and if yes where can I order it ?

 

Namaste,

 

http://www.kathamrita.org/srimatrust.htm

 

Contact :579, Sector 18-B, Chandigarh – 160 018 India

Phone: 91-172-774460