Guest guest Posted December 7, 2000 Report Share Posted December 7, 2000 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2000 Report Share Posted December 10, 2000 - " 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 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2001 Report Share Posted August 16, 2001 - " 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2001 Report Share Posted August 26, 2001 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2001 Report Share Posted October 5, 2001 - " 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 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 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2001 Report Share Posted December 13, 2001 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2002 Report Share Posted April 16, 2002 - 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2002 Report Share Posted April 18, 2002 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 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2003 Report Share Posted May 26, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2003 Report Share Posted May 29, 2003 > 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2003 Report Share Posted May 29, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2003 Report Share Posted May 29, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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