THE LIFE of SWAMI VIVEKANANDA in TWO Volu1ffis
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Life Beyond Death by Swami Abhedananda
Life Beyond Death Lectures of Swami Abhedananda A Great Yogi and Direct Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Life Beyond Death – lovingly restored by The Spiritual Bee An e-book presentation by For more FREE books visit the website: www.spiritualbee.com Dear Reader, This book has been reproduced here from the Complete Works of Swami Abhedananda, Volume 4. The book is now in the public domain in India and the United States, because its original copyright has expired. “Life beyond Death” is a collection of lectures delivered by Swami Abhedananda in the United States. Unlike most books on the subject which mainly record encounters with ghosts and other kinds of paranormal activities, this book looks at the mystery from a soundly rational and scientific perspective. The lectures initially focus on providing rational arguments against the material theory of consciousness, which states that consciousness originates as a result of brain activity and therefore once death happens, consciousness also ends and so there is no such thing as a life beyond death. Later in the book, Swami Abhedananda also rallies against many dogmatic ideas present in Christian theology regarding the fate of the soul after death: such as the philosophies of eternal damnation to hell, resurrection of the physical body after death and the belief that the soul has a birth, but no death. In doing so Swami Abhedananda who cherished the deepest love and respect for Christ, as is evident in many of his other writings such as, “Was Christ a Yogi” (from the book How to be a Yogi?), was striving to place before his American audience, higher and more rational Vedantic concepts surrounding life beyond the grave, which have been thoroughly researched by the yogi’s of India over thousands of years. -
Conversations with Swami Turiyananda
CONVERSATIONS WITH SWAMI TURIYANANDA Recorded by Swami Raghavananda and translated by Swami Prabhavananda (This month's reading is from the Jan.-Feb., 1957 issue of Vedanta and the West.) The spiritual talks published below took place at Almora in the Himalayas during the summer of 1915 in the ashrama which Swami Turiyananda had established in cooperation with his brother-disciple, Swami Shivananda. During the course of these conversations, Swami Turiyananda describes the early days at Dakshineswar with his master, Sri Ramakrishna, leaving a fascinating record of the training of an illumined soul by this God-man of India. His memories of life with his brother-disciples at Baranagore, under Swami Vivekananda’s leadership, give a glimpse of the disciplines and struggles that formed the basis of the young Ramakrishna Order. Above all, Swami Turiyananada’s teachings in the pages that follow contain practical counsel on many aspects of religious life of interest to every spiritual seeker. Swami Turiyananda spent most of his life in austere spiritual practices. In 1899, he came to the United States where he taught Vedanta for three years, first in New York, later on the West Coast. By the example of his spirituality he greatly influenced the lives of many spiritual aspirants both in America and India. He was regarded by Sri Ramakrishna as the perfect embodiment of that renunciation which is taught in the Bhagavad Gita Swami Shivananda, some of whose talks are included below, was also a man of the highest spiritual realizations. He later became the second President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. -
Tantra Yoga Secrets (385)
A Tantra Yoga Workshop from a Master Teacher Tantra Yoga Secrets empowers readers to overcome emotions, gain new knowledge, and live a more fulfilling spiritual lifestyle. "Takes one beyond the illusionary misunderstanding that tantric practice/sadhana is about sexuality and raises it to its full value as a powerful way to wake up to the Self of all." -GABRIEL COUSENS, MD, DD, diplomat of Ayurveda, acknowledged Kundalini and Shaktipat master; author of Conscious Eating and Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine Considered to be the highest and most rapid path to enlightenment, Tantra Yoga is a practice of transformational self-healing. While many are drawn to Tantra on the promise of an enhanced sexual practice-longer orgasms, increased stamina-the real Tantra aims to awaken Kundalini, the dormant potential force in the human personality. Master teacher and author Mukunda Stiles invites readers to participate in a tradition that includes a vast range of practical teachings that lead to the expansion of human consciousness and the awakening of a primal energy. Stiles explains this incredibly intimate and life-changing practice with grace, structure, and clarity. "These lessons provide a system of practices that con open doors into rewording perceptions of reality." -ROBERT SVOBODA, B.A.M.S., ayurvedic physician, author of Aghora; Ayurveda: Life, Health, and Longevity; Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution; and Ayurveda for Women "Anyone seeking self-awareness will benefit by following the step-by-step asana and meditation practices from this ancient path." -MA JAYA SAT! BHAGAVATI, Kashi Ashram, founder of Kali Natha Yoga "Tantra Yoga Secrets is an invaluable manual for students ready to progress beyond yoga postures to expanded states of awareness." -LINDA JOHNSEN, author of Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India "Tantra Yoga Secrets provides an insightful view of this fascinating yet misunderstood topic of how to bolance the male and female energies of Shiva and Shakti within us to achieve swastha (the harmony of health with the inner Selij." -DR. -
Abhedananda's Interpretation Of
ABHEDANANDA’S INTERPRETATION OF NEO - VEDANTA Thesis Submitted to Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, for the Award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SANSKRIT VEDANTA DIVYA N. K. DEPARTMENT OF SANSKRIT VEDANTA FACULTY OF INDIAN METAPHYSICS SREE SANKARACHARYA UNIVERSITY OF SANSKRIT KALADY – 2017. Dr. K. REMADEVI AMMA Professor, Department of Vedanta, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala, 683574. CERTIFICATE This is to certify that, this thesis entitled “ABHEDANANDA’S INTERPRETATION OF NEO-VEDANTA” submitted for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Sanskrit Vedanta, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, is an authentic record of research work carried out by Mrs. Divya N. K. under my guidance and supervision. KALADY, Date:16/ 11/ 2017. Dr. K. REMADEVI AMMA DECLARATION I, Divya N.K., Research Scholar, Department of Sanskrit Vedanta, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, do hereby declare that the present thesis entitled ‘ABHEDANANDA’S INTERPRETATION OF NEO-VEDANTA’, submitted for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sanskrit Vedanta is a record of bonafide research carried out by me. It is also declared that this has not previously been formed, in part or full, the basis for the award of any Degree, Diploma or fellowship or any other similar title. KALADY, DIVYA N.K. Date :16/ 11/ 2017. PREFACE The base of Indian culture and heritage is the unity in diversity or the oneness and this is its uniqueness. This unity in diversity, brotherhood, religious tolerance and national integrity are the pillars of Indian heritage. West Bengal is the most gifted land of India as it gave birth to many great leaders in almost all the fields, for example in the field of social reformation it was Rajaram Mohan Roy who is also known as the maker of Modern India, in the field of spiritual reformation and awakening it was Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and so on, in the field of literature and arts it was Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and others. -
The Greatness of Misery
The Greatness of Misery Swami Chetanananda People generally love joyful stories with happy endings. But human life consists of happiness and misery, comedy and tragedy. Even when divine beings take human forms, they must obey this law of maya. Because happiness and misery are inevitable in human life, avatars accept this fact but are not affected by it. Most of the time, their minds dwell in their divine nature, which is above the pairs of opposites. They take human birthto teach ordinary people how to face problems and suffering, maintain peace and harmony, and experience divine bliss by leading a God-‐‑centred life. In every age, when religion declines and irreligion prevails, avatars come to reestablish the eternal religion. But they do not come alone. They are aended by their spiritual companions: For example, Ramachandra came with Sita, Krishna with Radha, Buddha with Yashodhara, Chaitanya with Vishnupriya, and Ramakrishna with Sarada. As the birds cannot fly with one wing, so avatars are accompanied by their Shakti, theirfemale counterpart. These spiritual consorts carry the avatar’s spiritual message and serve as an inspiration for others. Sita suffered throughout her life; and she taught how to forbear suffering by keeping her mind in herbeloved Rama. Radha tried to forget her pain of separation from Krishnaby focussing on her longing and passion for him. When Buddha left, Yashodhara was grief-‐‑stricken. She raised their son and led a nun’s life in the palace. She forgot her pain by practising renunciation and thinking of the impermanency of the world. Vishnupriya accepted Chaitanya’s wish to be a monk, releasing her husband to be a world teacher. -
Sri Ramakrishna & His Disciples in Orissa
Preface Pilgrimage places like Varanasi, Prayag, Haridwar and Vrindavan have always got prominent place in any pilgrimage of the devotees and its importance is well known. Many mythological stories are associated to these places. Though Orissa had many temples, historical places and natural scenic beauty spot, but it did not get so much prominence. This may be due to the lack of connectivity. Buddhism and Jainism flourished there followed by Shaivaism and Vainavism. After reading the lives of Sri Chaitanya, Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and direct disciples we come to know the importance and spiritual significance of these places. Holy Mother and many disciples of Sri Ramakrishna had great time in Orissa. Many are blessed here by the vision of Lord Jagannath or the Master. The lives of these great souls had shown us a way to visit these places with spiritual consciousness and devotion. Unless we read the life of Sri Chaitanya we will not understand the life of Sri Ramakrishna properly. Similarly unless we study the chapter in the lives of these great souls in Orissa we will not be able to understand and appreciate the significance of these places. If we go on pilgrimage to Orissa with same spirit and devotion as shown by these great souls, we are sure to be benefited spiritually. This collection will put the light on the Orissa chapter in the lives of these great souls and will inspire the devotees to read more about their lives in details. This will also help the devotees to go to pilgrimage in Orissa and strengthen their devotion. -
Was Swami Vivekananda a Hindu Supremacist? Revisiting a Long-Standing Debate
religions Article Was Swami Vivekananda a Hindu Supremacist? Revisiting a Long-Standing Debate Swami Medhananda y Program in Philosophy, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, West Bengal 711202, India; [email protected] I previously published under the name “Ayon Maharaj”. In February 2020, I was ordained as a sannyasin¯ of y the Ramakrishna Order and received the name “Swami Medhananda”. Received: 13 June 2020; Accepted: 13 July 2020; Published: 17 July 2020 Abstract: In the past several decades, numerous scholars have contended that Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu supremacist in the guise of a liberal preacher of the harmony of all religions. Jyotirmaya Sharma follows their lead in his provocative book, A Restatement of Religion: Swami Vivekananda and the Making of Hindu Nationalism (2013). According to Sharma, Vivekananda was “the father and preceptor of Hindutva,” a Hindu chauvinist who favored the existing caste system, denigrated non-Hindu religions, and deviated from his guru Sri Ramakrishna’s more liberal and egalitarian teachings. This article has two main aims. First, I critically examine the central arguments of Sharma’s book and identify serious weaknesses in his methodology and his specific interpretations of Vivekananda’s work. Second, I try to shed new light on Vivekananda’s views on Hinduism, religious diversity, the caste system, and Ramakrishna by building on the existing scholarship, taking into account various facets of his complex thought, and examining the ways that his views evolved in certain respects. I argue that Vivekananda was not a Hindu supremacist but a cosmopolitan patriot who strove to prepare the spiritual foundations for the Indian freedom movement, scathingly criticized the hereditary caste system, and followed Ramakrishna in championing the pluralist doctrine that various religions are equally capable of leading to salvation. -
Expand Your Heart – Vkjuly19
1 TheVedanta Kesari July 2019 1 The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Cover Story page 11... 1 A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly `15 July of the Ramakrishna Order since 1914 2019 TheTheVedanta Kesari Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 h(044) 2462 1110 E-mail: [email protected] Website : www.chennaimath.org DearDea Readers, TThe Vedanta Kesari is one of the oldest cultural aandnd sspiritual magazines in the country. Started under tthehe gguidance and support of Swami Vivekananda, the ffirstirs issue of the magazine, then called BBrahmavadinr , came out on 14 Sept 1895. July 2019 BrBrahmavadin was run by one of Swamiji’s ardent ffollowersol Sri Alasinga Perumal. After his death in 4 1190990 the magazine publication became irregular, aandnd stoppeds in 1914 whereupon the Ramakrishna OOrder revived it as The Vedanta Kesari. Swami Vivekananda’s concern for the mmagazine is seen in his letters to Alasinga Perumal whwheree he writes: ‘Now I am bent upon starting the journal.’ ‘Herewith I send a hundred dollars…. Hope this will go just a little in starting your The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta paper.’ ‘I am determined to see the paper succeed.’ ‘The Song of the Sannyasin is my first contribution for your journal.’ ‘I learnt from your letter the bad financial state that Brahmavadin is in.’ ‘It must be supported by the Hindus if they have any sense of virtue or gratitude left in them.’ ‘I pledge myself to maintain the paper anyhow.’ ‘The Brahmavadin is a jewel—it must not perish. Of course, such a paper has to be kept up by private help always, and we will do it.’ For the last 105 years, without missing a single issue, the magazine has been carrying the invigorating message of Vedanta with articles on spirituality, culture, philosophy, youth, personality development, science, holistic living, family and corporate values. -
VIVEKANANDA and the ART of MEMORY June 26, 1994 M. Ram Murty, FRSC1
VIVEKANANDA AND THE ART OF MEMORY June 26, 1994 M. Ram Murty, FRSC1 1. Episodes from Vivekananda’s life 2. Episodes from Ramakrishna’s life 3. Their memory power compared by Swami Saradananda 4. Other srutidharas from the past 5. The ancient art of memory 6. The laws of memory 7. The role of memory in daily life Episodes from Vivekananda’s life The human problem is one of memory. We have forgotten our divine nature. All the great teachers of the past have declared that the revival of the memory of our divinity is the paramount goal. Memory is a faculty and as such, it is neither good nor bad. Every action that we do, every thought that we think, leaves an indelible trail of memory. Whether we remember or not, the contents are recorded and affect our daily life. Therefore, an awareness of this faculty and its method of operation is vital for healthy existence. Properly employed, it leads us to enlightenment; abused or misused, it can torment us. So we must learn to use it properly, to strengthen it for our own improvement. In studying the life of Vivekananda, we come across many phenomenal examples of his amazing faculty of memory. In ‘Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda,’ Haripada Mitra relates the following story: One day, in the course of a talk, Swamiji quoted verbatim some two or three pages from Pickwick Papers. I wondered at this, not understanding how a sanyasin could get by heart so much from a secular book. I thought that he must have read it quite a number of times before he took orders. -
Polyclinic News
Volume:-11, No. 5 Dec. 16 to Jan. 17 “They alone live who live for others. The rest are more dead than alive.” Polyclinic News Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Lucknow, runs the Vivekananda Polyclinic & Institute of Medical Sciences, a 350 bedded multi-speciality community hospital with the objective of providing quality healthcare at the lowest cost to all patients and to provide charity services to deserving patients from the lower socio-economic strata. Upgradation of Equipment in Physiotherapy: The Physiotherapy Department of Vivekananda Polyclinic & Institute of Medical Sciences (VPIMS), Lucknow has been continuously upgrading its equipment profile and has procured 02 Multi-channel Microprocessor Based TENS and 02 Hydro collator Machine (8 Packs large size) manufactured by Rapid Electro Med. The machines were inaugurated on 21st December 2017 by Swami Muktinathananda, the Secretary of the Institute. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) are predominately used for nerve related pain conditions (acute and chronic conditions). TENS machines works by sending stimulating pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nerve strands. The stimulating pulses help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Tens devices also stimulate the body to produce higher levels of its own natural painkillers, called "Endorphins". It can be used for pain relief in several types of illness and conditions such as Osteoarthritis, acute lumbar and cervical pain, tendinitis and bursitis. Hydro Collator is a stationary or mobile stainless steel thermo statistically controlled water heating device designed to 0 heat silica field packs in water up to 160 C. The packs are removed and wrapped in several layers of towel and applied to the affected part of the body. -
Why I Became a Hindu
Why I became a Hindu Parama Karuna Devi published by Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Copyright © 2018 Parama Karuna Devi All rights reserved Title ID: 8916295 ISBN-13: 978-1724611147 ISBN-10: 1724611143 published by: Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Website: www.jagannathavallabha.com Anyone wishing to submit questions, observations, objections or further information, useful in improving the contents of this book, is welcome to contact the author: E-mail: [email protected] phone: +91 (India) 94373 00906 Please note: direct contact data such as email and phone numbers may change due to events of force majeure, so please keep an eye on the updated information on the website. Table of contents Preface 7 My work 9 My experience 12 Why Hinduism is better 18 Fundamental teachings of Hinduism 21 A definition of Hinduism 29 The problem of castes 31 The importance of Bhakti 34 The need for a Guru 39 Can someone become a Hindu? 43 Historical examples 45 Hinduism in the world 52 Conversions in modern times 56 Individuals who embraced Hindu beliefs 61 Hindu revival 68 Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj 73 Shraddhananda Swami 75 Sarla Bedi 75 Pandurang Shastri Athavale 75 Chattampi Swamikal 76 Narayana Guru 77 Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru 78 Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha 79 Ramakrishna Paramahamsa 79 Sarada Devi 80 Golap Ma 81 Rama Tirtha Swami 81 Niranjanananda Swami 81 Vireshwarananda Swami 82 Rudrananda Swami 82 Swahananda Swami 82 Narayanananda Swami 83 Vivekananda Swami and Ramakrishna Math 83 Sister Nivedita -
Hollywood Temple Santa Barbara Temple Ramakrishna Monastery
HOLLYWOOD TEMPLE Fridays 7:30 PM SANTA BARBARA TEMPLE RAMAKRIshNA MONAstERY 1946 Vedanta Place 10, 17, 24, 31 Eternal Words of Sw. Adbhutananda 19961 Live Oak Canyon Road 927 Ladera Lane PO Box 408, Trabuco Canyon, Hollywood, CA 90068 Santa Barbara, CA 93108 CA 92678 949 858 0342 323 465 7114 Saturday 2:30 PM 805 969 2903 Daily Visiting Hours 4, 11 Temple Hours 6:30 AM– 7 pm Chanting for Beginners Temple Hours 9–11 AM, 3–5 pm Bookshop Hours 6:30 AM– 7 pm Bookshop Hours Mon–Sat 10 AM–12:30 pm Sundays 9–10:35 AM Bookshop Hours Mon–Fri 9 AM–11 AM, 2–5 pm Sanskrit Class Mon–Sat 11 AM–5 pm 3 PM–5 PM; Sun 10 AM–1 pm Sat & Sun 10 AM–5 PM Sun 10–11 AM, Noon–5 pm Sukirtha Alagarswamy Santa barbara Orange County Hollywood Bookshop Closed Wednesdays Bookshop Closed Tuesdays Bookshop Closed Wednesdays MAY 2019 MAY 2019 MAY 2019 Sundays/Domingos 2:30 PM Sunday Spiritual Talks 11 am Sunday Spiritual Talks 11 am Sunday Spiritual Talks 11 am Spanish Scripture Class Swami Dhyanayogananda 5 Spiritual Talk 5 Vedanta for Mental Wellness 5 Two Drops of Nectar (in person or live video) Swami Atmapriyananda Swami Tadananda, Ramakrishna Mission, Fiji Swami Sarvadevananda Vivekananda University, India 12 The Nature of Nirvana • Other Events • Swami Satyamayananda 12 The Narcissus Complex 12 Two Drops of Nectar Swami Vedarupananda Swami Sarvadevananda 19 Seeking Fellowship vs Seeking Solitude 1 Wed. 7:30 PM Jaya Row, Vedanta Vision 19 Lifelong Learning Swami Dhyanayogananda 19 The Nature of Nirvana Ancient Indian Wisdom—Modern Perspective Pravrajika Vrajaprana Swami Satyamayananda 26 Two Drops of Nectar 2 Thursday 7:30 PM Swami Tadananda, Fiji 26 The Nature of Nirvana Swami Sarvadevananda 26 The Cultivation of Dexterity Maya Swami Satyamayananda in our Daily Life • Other Events • 3 Friday 7:30 PM Swami Atmapriyananda Swami Chandrashekharananda Vivekananda University, India • Other Events • 2 Thursday 7:30 PM Swami Atmapriyananda Vedanta Society of Portland Spiritual Talk Vivekananda University, India Spiritual Talk 8 Wed.