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Chinmaya-Tej

Chinmaya-Tej

Chinmaya-Tej www.chinmaya.org San Jose Publication Vol.22, No.4 July/August 2011 Mission Statement To provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of and practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become a positive contributor to the society.

A True Teacher

A MAN firmly established in wisdom is tranquil and his equipoise is never broken even when he is investing his entire energies in the world outside for the service of mankind. The words coming from an individual can gather wings only when they spring from a heart soaked in an utmost subjective experience. The teacher will have to explain in terms of the intellect that which is beyond the intellect. This early catering to the intellect is possible only when the teacher knows the technics employed in the by the great of old in conveying and explaining the inexplicable. However, much we may explain, the actual transference of knowledge from the teacher to the taught is not through words. For this, the power of communication must be in the teacher, and this he can discover only from his own experience. s Table of Contents s Volume 22, No .4 July/August 2011

From The Editors Desk ...... 2 Chinmaya Tej Editorial Staff ...... 2 Groundbreaking Ceremony Invitation ...... 3 Chinmaya-Tej ...... 6 Worship Your Teacher ...... 7 The First Pearl: Love & Work ...... 13 and Sampradäya ...... 14 Inspired Leadership ...... 18 Swami Tejomayananda ...... 22 Bala Vihar Locations & Choir ...... 23 Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra and Language Classes ...... 24 Rasamrutam ...... 25 BalViHar Magazine - Gita Chanting Classes for Children . . . . . 26 Tapovan Prasad ...... 27 Scheme of Study for Chinmaya Study Groups ...... 28 Community Outreach program ...... 29 Vedanta Study Groups Adult Sessions ...... 30 Satsangs with Br . Prabodh Chaitanya ...... 30 Prabodhji's Classes at Bala Vihar Locations ...... 31 Prabodhji's Classes at Sandeepany ...... 31 Swami Tejomayananada’s Itinerary ...... 32

1 From The Editors Desk Tej, is a bi-monthly publication of Chinmaya Mission San Jose. CMSJ is in the process of getting the necessary permits to build the New Facility. The City of San Jose is studying the building drawings and when they are approved we shall begin the construction of our New Building. We are happy to show you some elevation drawings of the projects. We invite you to visit the site when you can. News and events update via e-newsletter on CMSJ web-site is serving our timely announcements. Please keep us updated with your e-mail addresses and send them to “[email protected]” If you do not hear from us e-mail or Chinmaya Tej, please forward your address and e-mail to me indicated on this page. Chinmaya Tej is also available for viewing on our website. Chinmaya-Tej will be mailed to all Sponsors and Members of Chinmaya Mission San Jose. Send your subscription marked, Chinmaya-Tej, CMSJ, 1050 Park Ave., San Jose, CA 95126.

Chinmaya Tej Editorial Staff Editor: Uma Jeyarasasingam ([email protected]) Co-editor: Rohini Joshi Electronic Editorial Advisor: Satish Joshi Contributors: Subbu Venkatkrishnan, Swami Sivananda, Swamini Vimalananda, Swami Chinmayananda Design & Layout: four waters / four waters media Printing: Bill Browning / PigMint Press, Redway, California Data Base: Kapil Vaish Mailing: Autozip, Ukiah, California Contact us: http://www.chinmaya.org • Phone: (650) 969-4389 Fax: (650)428-1795

2 Ground Breaking Ceremony Invitation from the CMSJ Board

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cordially The CMSJ Board of Directors sence requests the honor of your pre

along with family at the Ground-Breaking Ceremonies of the CMSJ New Building Facility. We are indeed blessed since these ceremonies will take place in the auspicious presence of the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, our Beloved and Revered Param Pujya Guruji, Swami President Tejomayanandaji, CMSJ Board of Directors , Swami Shantanandaji and our own Beloved Br. Prabodh Chaitanya and Smt. Uma Jeyarasasingam.

This event is the culmination of efforts that began in 2006 to secure a new property for the future CMSJ Building. Though the ground breaking ceremonies are the culmination of one phase of the project, this in many regards is the beginning of much more work to be done. To ensure that the future work is completed with out too many obstacles, we invoke the Grace and rampara with Blessings of God and our entire Pa Poojas and ceremonies. Ceremonies will be conducted by Panditji Ravichandran.

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4  A parts of the ground breaking ceremonies, there will be a three day discourse series on the Mahimna Stotram given by Swami Shantanandaji. Discourses begin on July 22nd from 7:30pm-9:00pm, July 23rd and July 24th from 8:30am to Noon. Further details available at www.chinmaya-sanjose.org.

It goes without saying that we would not have reached this stage of the CMSJ New Building Project without the tireless and unwavering support of the entire CMSJ community. For this, we are ever grateful. We humbly seek your presence at these ceremonies. Please join us.

Thank You and Warm Regards, CMSJ Board of Directors

5 Chinmaya ~ Tej

Thank you for asking about Chinmaya Tej. Pujya Gurudev initiated and launched the CMSJ Newsletter in 1988. Later, finding the CMSJ Newsletter to be, in his words, “like a catalog”, i.e., woefully inadequate for the purposes he had in mind, he gave detailed guidelines to transform it into a formal, informative, useful, and high-quality publication. Thus Chinmaya-Tej was born.

The manifold purposes of Tej, as laid out by Gurudev, are as follows: 1. It is the voice of CMSJ. 2. Gurudev wanted CMSJ’s publication to be of high quality and comparable to CMW’s Mananam and other Chinmaya Mission Publications. 3. It is the official publication of CMSJ. When CMSJ was first registered as Non-Profit Organization, there were queries from various government agencies as to whether CMSJ had an official publication, from which they could learn about CMSJ, our history, mission, and values. Tej served that purpose. 4. Tej is CMSJ’s mode of outreach and communication to spiritual seekers beyond those who are able to attend CMSJ’s discourses in person. Extra copies of each issue of Tej are printed so as to be available for new seekers. 5. Gurudev also instructed us to cover Vedanta topics in the Tej. Accordingly, Tej has articles on Vedanta topics for beginners as well as advanced readers.

Other Details about Tej: 1. The annual cost to produce 6 issues of Chinmaya Tej is $21,000. It is paid for by CMSJ’s Annual Membership contributions, Bala Vihar revenues, and general donations. 2. Chinmaya Tej is also available online. Hard copies of Chinmaya Tej are distributed only to members of CMSJ who reside in California.

6 Worship your

Swami Sivananda (Reprinted from Science of , Volume One) BE FREE from desires. Thirst for the knowledge of God. Engage yourself in performing selfless service. The Divine Vision and intuition will dawn in you. Worship your father, mother and teacher. Worship the guests. Look upon all of them as the Lord Himself, without regarding them as mere human beings. Pay them due reverence. Serve them with great respect. 7 Do not yield to fatalism. Change You should have a keen longing to your habits. Lead a virtuous life. meet a Guru and be initiated by Eradicate greed and anxiety. Give him. Then God Himself will provide up vanity. Be devoted to the Lord. a Guru for you. Good books written The Divine Light will dawn in you. by realised , who have trodden The worship of saints has been taken the path successfully, will help you more or less as a necessary greatly. Mere talk will not do you in the life of an aspirant. Even the must practise. Upanishads declare that the Sadhaka Learn Yoga under a Guru. Then only should have the same devotion to will you be able to understand the his Guru as he has to God. The subtle points. Get practical lessons idea is that by constantly thinking also from him. Then alone will of his Guru, the Sadhaka is kept you grow rapidly. He will remove on the right path, away from evil, your doubts and show you the and moulds himself on the pattern right path, because he has already of his teacher. trodden the path himself. He will When a Sadhaka superimposes on point out the pitfalls and snares that his personal Guru the characteristics tempt aspirants on the path. He will of the impersonal Absolute, as in the inspire you. case of idol-worship, his devotion Just as electricity flows from a reaches the Supreme. God, the positively charged battery towards Indweller, understands the devotion the negative pole, even so, power, of the Sadhaka and guides him along energy, love, wisdom and spiritual the proper path. currents flow from the master-mind Even wise men often lack this broad of a towards the lesser mind of outlook and argue that the human the disciple. figure of a saint should not be Books also can assist you. They will adored with the devotion due to inspire you. They can guide you God. As with God, so with the only to a certain extent and to a Guru -- the way to the Impersonal certain point. You have to practise lies through the personal. the rules of right conduct before A Guru is necessary. But you must you approach a Guru. You can first prepare the ground well for the start the minor practices -- , reception of the seed of knowledge Pranayama and some concentration from the Guru. He cannot do this exercises, with the help of books. for you. Simple living, simple food, Books written by realised persons simple clothing, aversion for sensual can serve the purpose of a Guru till pleasures, speaking the truth, devel- you come in personal contact with oping a heart of love, Brahmacharya, a realised Yogi or adept. You can self-control and endurance — all also get help from senior aspirants these have to be developed. on the path of Yoga. 8 Make a programme of your activi- God, to that Mahatma the truths ties. Draw up a spiritual routine taught here shine in full”. and stick to it systematically and A true Sadguru is absolutely free regularly. Apply yourself diligently. from passion, anger, selfishness, Never waste a single minute. Life greed, hatred and egoism. He is is short. Time is fleeting. That beyond worldly temptations. He “tomorrow” will never come. It is is able to remove the ignorance of now or never. aspirants. He can clear any kind Stand up with a firm resolve: of doubt. He can give practical, “I will become a Yogi this very easy lessons to control the mind moment.” Gird up your loins. Do and the senses. His instructions are rigid Sadhana. Walk the path of very impressive. Even an ignorant, Yoga, in the footsteps of Trailinga proud man bends his head before a Swami, Sadasiva and true Sadguru. The Sadguru is able Dev. If you are very sincere in your to take the students to the door of spiritual practices and if your mind liberation. He is well versed in the is filled with burning dispassion and . He is sinless. He is an ocean of mercy. He is a friend of all. keen longing for liberation, you can reach perfection within six months. In the Upadesha Sahasri of Sri Believe me, there is no doubt of this. Shankara you will find: “Vedanta should be taught to one who has Direct realisation of the Self is the a calm mind, who has controlled means to liberation. He who is his senses, who is free from faults endowed with the four means of such as passion, anger and greed, salvation will be able to realise the who is obedient, who is endowed Self. One can acquire these four with pure, virtuous qualities, who qualifications -- discrimination, is always humble, and who yearns dispassion, intense desire for libera- for liberation.” tion, and divine qualities, by strictly adhering to the duties of his own The Guru will impart spiritual caste and order, by austerities and instructions to that aspirant who selfless service, by propitiating his thirsts for liberation, who duly obeys own Deity, and by service of a Guru. the injunctions of the , who has subdued his passions and He only who is devoted to his Guru senses, who has a calm mind, and and has been performing worship who possesses virtuous qualities can comprehend the depths of the like mercy, cosmic love, patience, teachings of Vedanta. You will find humility, forbearance, endurance in the Swetaswatara Upanishad: and courage. Initiation into the “Whosoever hath the highest love mysteries of will for God, and for the Guru as for fructify only when the disciple’s

9 mind becomes desireless. Then only It is better if you get your will knowledge dawn. from your Guru. This has a tremen- dous effect on the disciple. The The desire to attain knowledge of Guru imparts his power along with the Self will dawn only in the person the Mantra during the time of initia- who is free from desires, who has tion. If you cannot get a suitable a pure mind, and who is quite Guru, you can select any Mantra disgusted with this worldly life. according to your own liking and Such a man only is competent to taste and repeat mentally with faith hear, meditate and attain knowledge and devotion. This also has a great of Brahman. When the knowledge of purifying effect. You will attain the the Self dawns, ignorance, which is vision of God. the seed of bondage and the cause Lord Shiva lived with Pattinathar of , is totally eradicated and for some time and yet the latter the aspirant attains immortality and was not able to recognise the Lord. eternal bliss. The Lord left a small note which If anyone possesses discrimination, contained the following message: dispassion and the sixfold virtues, “Even the broken needles will not then a strong desire for liberation follow you after your death,” and will manifest itself. Dispassion is disappeared. This opened the eyes the fruit of discrimination. Aspirants of Pattinathar and had the effect of a Guru’s influence on him. who have renounced the world are not able to realise the goal because Initiation, inspiration and knowledge they have no burning desire for depend on the aspirant’s personal liberation. efforts. The Lord’s Grace descends upon him at the proper time, when Faith, devotion, self-restraint, one- his patient and sustained struggle pointedness of mind, purity of heart, for Self-realisation is no longer dispassion, desire for liberation and necessary. meditation are the immediate factors Some, like Yogi , have to of liberation for the aspirant. He serve their master arduously for a who is endowed with these qualities long time, whereas others get initia- attains immortality and knowledge. tion in a flash. It depends upon the An aspirant should be as firm as spiritual Sadhana and evolution of Mount Meru, as free as the ether, as the aspirant. fragrant as the jasmine, as broad as Yogi Milarepa underwent a series the sky, as forbearing as the earth, of struggles during his service of as forgiving as parents, as radiant as his Guru. the sun, as fearless as a lion, and as He had to perform superhuman generous as Ranti . acts of heroism and bravery before Guru and Initiation he was initiated. Sages and Rishis 10 of yore put their students to severe Therefore, it depends upon the trials before they took them into ability, capacity and purity of the their confidence. They intuitively aspirant to receive the Divine Grace, knew whether a student was fit for which elevates him to exalted heights initiation or not. The neophytes of supreme joy and bliss. were entrusted with the work of The aspirant should be ever watchful tending cattle, bringing fuel from to receive spiritual instruction from the forest, washing the clothes of the whatever source it might come. Guru, and such other tasks which Anyone who helps him in removing look like menial service in the eyes his ignorance is a guide. But he of present-day aspirants. who hastens the aspirant’s spiritual To aspirants like Swetaketu, , progress and takes a lively and keen Satyakama and others, every act was interest in his evolution is the real an act of Yoga or worship of the Sadguru. Guru. To them nothing was menial. Just see how attained They dedicated everything to their knowledge of the Self even from Guru with an unselfish motive. insentient beings. The aspirant, Therefore, they attained purity of before he desires the Grace of the heart quickly, mastered the Vedas, Guru, should deserve it. The supply and eventually got knowledge of of Divine Grace comes only when the Supreme Self. there is a real thirst in the aspirant Gautama chose four hundred and when he is fit to receive it. lean and weak cows and asked A sage or saint like Sri Shankara or , his disciple, to Madhusudan Saraswathi can initiate tend them. He instructed him not the aspirant in any particular path to return before they had become for which he is fit. The Guru will a thousand in number. Satyakama find out by a close study of the lived in the forest for a long time. aspirant, his taste, temperament and A few days prior to his return to capacity, and decide for him the his preceptor’s , the gods, most suitable Sadhana. If his heart , and instructed is impure, the teacher will prescribe him in the knowledge of Brahman. selfless service for a number of years. Gautama was quite astonished to Then the Guru will find out for what see Satyakama shining with Brahmic particular path the student is fit and splendour. initiate him in that. initiated in the A Bhakta can be initiated by a twinkling of an eye. The gods Bhakta saint in the path of devotion. initiated Khatwanga in a Muhurta. A Vedantin can initiate a student Some initiate their students through of Vedanta in the Mahavakyas. A simple gazing. Sri Shankara inspired Hatha Yogi or a Raja Yogi can initiate Totaka by means of his pure will. another in that particular path. But 11 a sage of perfect Self-realisation, a circumstances become favourable full-blown Jnani or Yogi, can give very soon and he attains peace, bliss initiation in any particular path. and immortality. If a Bhakta saint is approached by After some time the disciple becomes an aspirant who wishes to tread the like his Guru by following his knowledge, the former may direct instructions to the very letter. If the the aspirant to the proper Guru for disciple does not follow his Master’s initiation, because the Bhakta may instructions and acts in a contrary not have had the Vedantic realisation manner, according to his sweet will, of oneness. But a Jnani can initiate he is not a disciple. A disciple is he an aspirant in the path of devotion who follows the instructions of the also because he has already realised Guru to the letter and spirit, who the fruit of Saguna worship in the till the end of his life propagates present or in a previous birth. the teachings of the Guru to less It is very difficult to know the evolved souls on the path. Blessed particular Yoga by which a Guru are such aspirants! Glory to such has reached perfection unless he realised saints and sages! himself reveals it to the aspirant out May the blessings of all Brahma of . No aspirant will be Vidya , Bhagavatas and Yogins bold enough to put this question be upon you all! May you enjoy to his Guru lest he be considered the bliss of immortality in this very impertinent. birth! May you all worship your In the absence of a realized Sadguru, Guru with sincere devotion and a senior aspirant who has trodden earn his Grace! the spiritual path for a long time, who is above base desires, who has served his preceptor for a long time, and who is a Sannyasin also, can help a neophyte. If one is not able to find such an advanced aspirant, one can follow the teachings contained in the books written by realised saints like Sri Shankara, Dattatreya and others. He can keep a picture of such a realised Guru and worship it with faith and devotion. Gradually the aspirant will get inspiration and the Guru may appear in a dream and initiate and inspire the aspirant at the proper time. To a sincere Sadhaka help comes in a most mysterious manner. All the 12 The First Pearl

Love is the heart of religions, the theme of all classical works of art and literature and the song of all devotees. Scientists know only what love does...not what love is. Love can indeed empty our asylums, maybe all our hospitals. People suffer in life due to lack of love. Love is to human hearts what the sun is to flowers!! Love grows with knowledge of the beloved. To love, therefore, is to know... yet, to know is not necessarily to love. We may often give without love, but we can never love without giving. Love is at once noun and verb... Love is something to be sustainedLove and fulfilled, and by loving. Work By loving alone can love be made to grow and thrive. And our work is love made visible. When love is made to manifest, work is done. When we work only to produce profit or wages, work becomes crushing sweating, joyless labour. With love in our heart, let us put forth effort and flood the world with our work.

~Swami Chinmayananda

13 Dharma Sampradāya

Swamini Vimalananda excerpted from “Dharma” published by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

Now let us understand the word Sampradāya. Sam + pra dāya = Sampradāya. That which is well and clearly given is sampradāya. It means a sect, creed or religion as the word is commonly understood). A sampradāya must mainly have the following characteristics: 1. It comes into being at a particular period of time due to various reasons 2. It is inspired or founded by an individual or a set of individuals 3. It follows certain scriptures inspired by or propounded by the individual 4. It follows a particular code of conduct

A sampradāya deals with one or many aspects of dharma. The one who establishes it may or may not belong to a sampradāya e.g. Jesus was a Jew. A sampradāya is established due to:

1. the need of the time; e.g. Mohammed established Islam to bring a semblance of decency into the warring nomadic tribes. 2. decadence of the moral values in the society; e.g. Christianity emerged when Roman society was steeped in indulgence and pleasures. 3. as a reaction against another sampradāya; e.g the Protestants were against the traditional Roman Catholic Church. 4. so as to make the knowledge of dharma easily understand- able and followable to even the common man; e.g. Swami Sahajananda started the Swaminarayana Sampradāya which is easy to follow. 14 Now we shall try to think about the two words — Dharma and Sampradāya together. Dharma is one. Sampradāya can be and are many. Dharma is not founded by an individual, it is without a beginning. A sampradāya is founded by an individual. It is born and therefore shall perish. (jaatasya hi dhruvo mrityuh) — that which is born shall perish — Geeta. Dharma is eternal — Sanātana. From the above discussions it can be clearly realised that all of us have one common Eternal Dharma. Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, Sampradāya Christianity, Swaminarayana, Pushti Mārga, etc. are all sampradāyas. They have one inspirer or founder e.g. Jesus, Mohammed etc. They follow a particular text e.g. the Bible, Koran etc. They follow a particular code of conduct e.g. Sunday Mass, Baptism, etc. Dharma by its very is ‘bin sāmpradāyik’ (secular), Dharma however has the capacity to accommodate countless sampradāyas. It is the very base of all of them. No sampradāya has the capacity to encompass the entire Dharma in all its aspects. When we call a sampradāya — a Dharma, a lot of misunderstandings and conflicts arise. We call Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, , etc. Dharma when they are in fact sampradāyas. Moreover, when we call Dharma as sampradāya we do great injustice to it. Sampradāyas arise from Dharma, exist in it and will get dissolved in it. So to say that the majority in India are is not strictly right. All humanity shares this Dharma. To club various sampradāyas together and call them a majority is also unfair since the various followers maintain their separate identity e.g. staunch Shaivites would not generally like to be identified with Vaishnavites. To give minority status to one sampradāya e.g. Muslims and deny the same to another e.g. Pushti Mārgis (followers of the sect started by Shri Vallabhacharya) is an injustice to the other. In fact in Bharat (India), Muslims as a sampradāya enjoy an overwhelming majority compared to most other sampradāyas except Christianity which is the second largest sampradāya. When a country’s laws are based on the tenets of Dharma it is called a Dhārmik Rāj e.g. Rāma Rājya. When a country’s laws are based on sampradāya or favour a sampradāya, then it is called a Sāmpradāyik Raj e.g. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim State. In a sāmpradāyik raj, there is either intolerance or injustice shown towards another sampradāya e.g. Serbs towards Muslims, or there is a total annihi- lation of another sampradāya e.g. the Shaivites were either killed or driven out by the Muslims from Kashmir. A sāmpradāyik raj gives no scope for another sampradāya to flourish under it’s wings. On the other hand in

15 a dhārmik rāj all sampradāyas flourish and prosper e.g. Bhārat has been the birth place of so many sampradāyas (, etc.). Many have come from outside and flourished (Islam, Parsis, Christianity etc.). Bhārat has the maximum number of Muslims in any country. Only those sampradāyas which are anti-dhārmic i.e. those which preach anti-social, anti-national views cannot be tolerated in a truly dhārmik rāj. For example at this time in India, over population is a long problem and Pakistan stands threateningly on its head. Any sampradāya that preaches its followers to produce greater numbers just to gain a majority or favours Pakistan should be called anti-dhārmic and all other sampradāyas must unite to change such anti-national views. Should Dharma enter politics? There is a trend amongst the so-called intel- lectuals that it should not. Dharma is that which integrates an individual, community or nation and provides a basis for harmonious living. Where there is no dharma, adharma (corruption, injustice, crive, etc.) prevails. This is what we see in every field of activity (education, politics etc.) in India and around the world. Yes, sāmpradāyik views would not enter into the politics of dhārmik rāj. This would pollute the very concepts of a dhārmik rāj e.g. in India, people of a particular sampradāya get money from the government to go on pilgrimage and time-off during working hours to conduct prayers, whilst the same is not given to another sampradāya. No Pushti Mārgi gets money from the government to visit Shrinathji or holiday on ekādashi (a holy day which occurs twice a month). This is pseudo-secularism which amounts to adharma. Now let us think on the words ‘Philosophy’ and ‘Religion’ in the context of the dharma. What is their relationship? Is dharma the same as philosophy or religion? Or do they enjoy a part-whole relationship? Dharma contains both philosophy and religion, and religion and philosophy do not have a part-whole relationship. Philosophy basically contains the knowledge of the essential relation of the living beings, the world and its Creator (Jīva - Jagat - īśvara). It also encompasses the transactional relation, the Law of Karma, Theory of creation and Universal values. In our Hindu culture Philosophy is called ‘darshan’ and philosophic or spiritual texts are called Darshan Shastras. Religion is the knowledge of the application of values, duties, code of conduct, do’s and don’ts, spiritual 16 practices (sādhanās),rites and rituals etc. These may or should change according to the time, place and circumstances; e.g. the concept of brahma muhurat auspicious time of arising --4 a.m.) cannot be valid at the North Pole. One cannot afford or help society by having four wives and ten children in a country like Bhārat. Each sampradāya too has a philosophy and a religion. Some are predominantly religious. Some others lay equal emphasis on both in their basic teachings. Philosophy provides the vision to view the individual-world-Creator (Jīva - Jagat - īśvara) relationship and religion teaches us the way to live life. When philosophy alone is given predominance by its proponents, the sampradāya becomes impractical. The followers merely talk big but their behaviour leaves much to be desired. If religion alone is given dominance then such a sampradāya produces religious fanatics, narrow minded and blind believers. If however, one lives a religious life with a philosophic view, one can become truly dharmic. Now we enquire, if dharma includes both philosophy and religion, do we really need a sampradāya? Why create differences to know the one? This has already been touched upon. In the vast scope of Dharma, the common man gets confused and is unable to make the right choices for his individual progress nor does he have the vision of his role in the complex world around him. The masses need to be guided with simple, healthy views and rules to help their progress. For instance, since the Hindu was given a choice of going to the temple, Yogasanas (yogic postures), worship (), meditation (dhyāna), repetition of the Lord’s name (), etc. as their daily early morning routine, in sheer indiffer- ence or confusion they chose nothing, or sometimes not according to their tempera- ment. They deprived themselves of the great spiritual benefit of these spiritual practices (sādhanās) and in the process almost lost their rich heritage. Hence a sampradāya does guide an individual or society towards progress and unity. But as said, “It is good to be born in a sampradāya but not to die in one.” One must finally uplift oneself towards that Truth beyond sampradāya which is called Supreme (Parama) Dharma.

17 Inspired Leadership Swami Chinmayananda

from Mananam Series on Values in the Workplace The leaders of humanity have a very subtle duty in life. They take upon themselves the difficult task of guiding the masses. to such dedicated men-of-action, Lord puts in a word of warning so that they may not cause any harm through excessive enthusiasm: Let no wise man unsettle the minds of the ignorant people who are attached to action: let him engage them in all actions, himself fulfilling them with devotion. (Bhagavad Gītā, 3:26) A society is not built overnight through magic incantation. Time and tradition alone build up the strength and beauty of society. It is influenced both by the world-plan around and the personality-plan within. This scheme of things should not be suddenly altered. The art of guiding humanity without disrupting the existing harmony is well brought out by Lord Krishna in His note of warning to leaders in all fields. A true leader should fall in line with the generation, and slowly and steadily guide people to act in the right direction by setting an example for them to follow.

18 It is dangerous to unsettle the faith of the generation. Violent revolutions deform the character of the individual. History is replete with examples, where, in the excitement and enthusiasm following the discovery of new ideals, leaders have miscalculated the strength of the masses and have been destroyed by the very emotions and passions invoked by them earlier. Krishna says that the best way to bring about a renaissance is by having the leaders of society express the Divinity in themselves, and thus attract a following. By precept and practice, the masses should be gradually guided toward the right path. If one wants to be a good leader, one’s first attempt should be to cultivate equanimity and poise within oneself, qualities that will raise one above the dualities in nature. The same in honor and dishonor, the same to friend and foe: abandoning all undertakings... he is said to have crossed beyond the gunas. (Bhagavad Gītā, 14:25) Such a karma yogin crosses over and reaches beyond the shackles of the guna: sattva, , and . From such a noble person emanate the divine qualities of harmlessness, truth, renunciation, and fortitude. Having transcended the dualities, such a person is equally disposed towards friends and enemies; towards the indifferent neutrals and the hateful; towards relatives, both the righteous and the unrighteous. When such noble leaders come forward to act in a spirit of co-operation and self-dedication, they release the community from its abject poverty, its harrowing sorrows, and from all the shackles of its ignorance, superstitions, and stupidities.

19 To arrive at such a balance within ourselves, and work in a spirit of dedication we have to free ourselves from attachment to the objects around us. Only in a mind freed from all its egocentric burden, will calmness, poise, and equanimity take root. If universal love is to be cultivated, the sense of “I-ness” and “my-ness” should be burned away. Then comes the realization that his embodiment is only an instrument to carry out His will and must be carefully tuned to receive His grace. The following qualities belong to the one born to the Divine Estate, says Krishna: Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in the Yoga of Knowledge, alms-giving, control of the senses, sacrifice, study of the Scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness, harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion to beings, non-covetousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickle-mindedness, vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, absence of pride ... these belong to the one born for the Divine Estate, O . (Bhagavad Gītā, XVI:1-3)

A Glorious Example As a leader, even after entering the vast field of work, one should not neglect one’s obligatory duties. Such duties include those demanded of one’s social status or domestic situation. As an example, Krishna points out to Arjuna the noble life of King Janaka, who set up a glorious example for his generation to follow. Because, Whatever a great man does, other men imitate. Whatever he sets up as the standard that the world follows, (Bhagavad Gītā, 3:21)

20 Leaders should keep this in mind at all times and should engage in perfect actions that are well worth initiating. Illiterate masses who listen to the thundering eloquence of their leaders on platforms may not often understand the full import of their ideals, but they feel and appreciate the behavior and attitude of the leaders in society. These millions copy the decorum set as a standard by the leaders, not by their words but by their actions, and we know that these millions form the nation. Therefore, the rebuilding of a society or a country can be achieved only through the integrated character of its leaders. The true and vibrant personality capable of such achievements has been beautifully depicted by Krishna. After due considerations, when one has put on the leader’s mantle, one’s first allegiance should be to the ideals one stands for. The ideals should be such that they inspire the masses to sink their mutual difference, work together, and strive with enthusiasm, bringing out mysterious qualities and quantities of dynamism in their individual endeavors to try to build unity and harmony. Amid the apparent diversity of work performed by each, there should not be any discordant notes. Each action should be so perfect that it brings more and more peace and harmony into the environment. Only such actions can compose right service and come to reflect true dedication. One purges oneself of the accumulated burden of vāsanā through such actions. Through one’s constant attunement with the higher and the nobler, one chastens one’s personality. Such a polished personality is the right vehicle to work in this world of change and endless problems, for achieving success and happiness for generations to come. 

21 Swami Tejomayananda

22 B ala Vihar Locations 2010-2011 Fremont Washington High School 38442, Fremont Blvd. Saturdays: 1:30 pm Contact: Prakash / (510) 490-1266 Danville/ California High School San Ramon/ 9870 Broadmoor Drive/San Ramon, CA 94583 EAST BAY Saturdays: 4:30 pm Contact: Meena Kapadia / (925) 680-7037 San Jose Lincoln High School 555 Dana Avenue, San Jose Sunday: Session I-9:00am, Session II-10:30am, Session III-11:45 am Contact: Uma / (650) 969-4389

Shiva Abhisheka & Puja at Sandeepany San Jose Conducted by Mission Members Time: 7:30-8:30 pm / Every 2nd Monday of the month

Swaranjali Youth Choir San Jose Choir sessions are held every alternate Sundays between 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Venue: Sandeepany / San Jose Teachers: Prema Sriram, Jaya Krishnan, and Jayashree Ramkumar Contact: Prema Sriram: [email protected] Those who are interested in joining the choir as a vocalist or musicians may please contact Prema at the address above.

Danville/San Ramon/east bay Choir sessions are held once every two weeks, Saturdays at 2:00pm - 3:00pm Venue: California High School 9870 Broadmoor Drive, San Ramon, CA 94583 Teacher: Shailaja Dixit / Contact: Shailaja at (925) 309-4837 Those who are interested in joining the choir as a vocalist or musicians may please contact Shailaja at the above number.

Fremont Choir is held weekly on Saturdays, 12 noon - 1:00 pm Venue: Washington High School / Fremont Teachers: Natana Valiveti and Rajashri Iyengar Contact: Natana at [email protected] Those who are interested in joining the choir as a vocalist or musicians may please contact Natana at the above address.

23 Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra and Language Classes

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL 555 Dana Avenue, San Jose Bala Vihar is in three sessions. Grades KG – 4: 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Grades 5 – 12: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. Language classes: 11:45 - 12:45 p.m. Gita Chanting classes: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. Adult lectures by Br. Prabodhji, are held in the Media Room. All details are posted on Website: www.chinmaya-sanjose.org. All parents will receive E-mail announcements with regard to changes. The Parking Lot is on Dana Avenue and you can walk from the parking lot to the class-rooms. We are renting this facility from San Jose Unified School District. We are currently using 26 classrooms in three sessions. I appreciate all the parents, some of you who are driving your children from as far North as Redwood City to San Jose. You will find it very rewarding as you see your children grow up with Hindu Heritage, moulding them into young adults. We want the best for our children. Fremont: Classes will begin on Sept. 11, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Classes include BalaVihar/Yuva Kendra, Gita Chanting, Languages and Dance classes. Vedanta Classes for Adults are also offered. san ramon/east bay: Classes will begin on Sept. 11, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. Classes include Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra, Languages, Swaranjali (Youth Choir). Vedanta Classes for Adults are also offered. We have 1540 children enrolled in our program from our three centers since enrollment started 07-08 school year. I wish to thank all the volunteers who areTeachers, Co-Teachers and Youth Helpers teaching and assisting in the different classes. It takes more than teachers to organize these programs at San Jose Lincoln High, Fremont Washington High, and California High School. Parent Volunteers and CMSJ Volun- teers organize setting up, Book-Store, Snacks, Lecture Halls etc. Our sincere thanks to all the many dedicated volunteers.

24 Bhakti Rasamrutam (The sweet essence of Devotion)

Swaranjali, Chinmaya Youth Choir, has produced 10 CDs containing 100 , glorifying the Lord in many Indian Languages. The Bhajans are rendered by 15 students of Swaranjali, with devotion, an offering to the Lord as their contribution to the New Building Project. Choir participants who sang on the Bhaktirasamrutam album were trained by Prema Sriram, Jaya Krishnan and Jayshree Ramkumar. The CD is entitled, Bhakti Rasamrutam, the sweet essence of Devotion. All details on this CD are posted on our web-site, chinmaya-sanjose.org. This is a rare gift which is very inspirational and uplifting. The proceeds from the CDs will add to our Fund-raising efforts. Thanks to all who contributed their time and talents to the production of the CD.

25 Kids' Own Magazine... BalViHar

Parents... This is a monthly magazine published by Central Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai for Children. It is packed with stories, puzzles, arts and craft ideas, children’s contributions of essays, riddles, games, and much more. You can subscribe to it directly. The annual subscription is $30 and you will receive it monthly by air. We suggest that you subscribe in your child’s name so your child will have the pleasure of receiving his or her own magazine from India. Make your checks payable to Central Chinmaya Mission Trust and mail it to: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai 400 072, India

Gita Chanting Classes for Children by Mallika Subramanian San Jose: Lincoln High School / Every Sunday Contact: (408) 245-4915 Fremont: Washington High School / Every Saturday Contact: (510) 490-1266 San Ramon/East Bay: California High School Every Saturday (3:15pm - 4:15pm) Contact: (510) 490-1266 26 Our thanks to all our Sponsor families who have continued to support us for many years and to all Member families who have found our programs to benefit their children thereby supporting us. We have room for more Sponsors and Members. Please invite your friends to join the larger Chinmaya Family of the Bay Area.

CMSJ SPONSORSHIP ...... Annual Contribution $500 CMSJ MEMBERSHIP ...... Annual Contribution $200 Chinmaya - Tej ...... Annual CT Sponsors $300 Chinmaya - Tej ...... Annual Subscription $50 (Receive Chinmaya-Tej only)

Tapovan Prasad A Monthly Spiritual of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide

Published by Chinmaya Chinmaya Mission Worldwide It is Internationally acclaimed Publication filled with articles and reports that are inspiring and educational. Hindus living all over the world keep in touch with their spiritual heritage through Tapovan Prasad. Annual Subscription by Airmail: US $25 (12 issues) Make checks payable to Tapovan Prasad, and mail to Chinmaya Mission No.2, 13th Ave., Harrington Rd, Chetput, Chennai, 600 031, India

27 Scheme of Study for Chinmaya Study Groups, US

1. Self Unfoldment 2. bodh 3. 4. Atma bodh 5. Manah Shodhanam 6. Upadesa Saram 7. Bhakti 8. Meditation and Life 9. Introduction – Ch.1 & 2 10. Jnanasarah 11. Kenopanishad 12. Gita, Ch. 3 – 6 13. Dyanaswaroopam 14. Kaivalya Upanishad 15. Gita, Ch. 7 – 9 16. Isavasya Upanishad 17. Gita, Ch. 10 – 12 18. Bhakti Sudha 19. Gita, Ch. 13 – 15 20. 21. Gita, Ch. 16 – 18 22. Sat Darshan 23. Vivekachoodamani

Vedanta Study Groups held in the Bay Area are listed in this issue of Chinmaya Tej and you may contact them if you wish to join a Study Group.

28 Community Outreach Program Opportunities

Chinmaya Mission San Jose

San jose Are You Willing to Volunteer or Just Sponsor the Program? If yes, please call Krishna Bhamre: (408) 733-4612 or e-mail [email protected] We need volunteers for preparing and serving Hot Meals for the Homeless. Lunch bags are prepared at Los Altos Community Center. All Youth volunteers are required to sign up with Krishna Bhamre. Meals For The Homeless Program: Served at San Jose’s Emergency Housing Consortium at Orchard Drive off Curtner Avenue (Adult & Youth Volunteers & Sponsors).

Fremont Fremont BV sponsors Sandwiches For The Needy. On the 2nd Saturday/Washington High School in Fremont. Parents of Bala Vihar and the kids prepare 70 Sandwiches, bag them and provide chips, fruit and juice. The Sandwiches are delivered to the Tricity Homeless Coalition, where they are served to adults and children. The Shelter is located on 588 Brown Road, Fremont, CA In addition, last Christmas, Fremont Bala Vihar donated new blankets, sweaters, sweat shirts, and infant warm clothes etc. to the homeless at the shelter.

29 Vedanta Study Groups Adult Sessions

Concord: Bhagavad Gita, Ch. 8 Sevak: Vipin Kapadia Contact: Meena Kapadia (925) 680-7037 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Wed.)

Cupertino: Kathopanishad Sevak: Sreeharsha Contact : Ram Mohan (408) 255-4431 Time: 7:30 pm (Thur.)

Fremont: Chudamani Sevika: Priya Batheja Contact: Priya Batheja (510) 490-1926 Time: 7:30 pm (Mon.)

Los Altos: Bhagavad Gita Ch. 3 Sevak: Uma Jeyarasasingam Contact: Ruchita Parat (650) 858-1209 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Mon.)

Milpitas Sevika: Uma Jeyarasasingam Contact: Suma Venkatesh (408) 263-2961 Time: 7:30 pm (Tue.)

Mountain House: Self-Unfoldment Sevika: Padmaja Joshi Contact: Padmaja Joshi (209) 830-1295 Time: 8:00p.m. (Wed.)

San Jose: Bhagawad Gita Ch. 2 Sevak: Jayaram Reddy Contact: Krishna Reddy (408) 257-9587 Time: 8:00 pm (Wed.)

Satsangs with Br. Prabodh Chaitanya All events are from: 8:00-9:00pm 1st Friday of each month: Kirtida & Kamalesh N. Ruparell Text: ABC’s of Vedanta • Ph: (408) 867-9550 2nd Friday of each month: Geetha & Sanjay Rao Text: Srimad Bhagavatam - Kapil Gita • Ph: (408) 863-0595 3rd Friday of each month: Sweta & Jnan Ranjan Dash, Almaden Text: Aparokshanubhooti • Ph: (408) 268-5056

30 All classes held weekly unless otherwise stated

San Jose Clayton Facility Self Unfoldment Sevak: Venkatesh Srinivasan Contact: Ramana Vakkalagadda (408) 564-2749 Time: 8:00 pm (Fri.)

San Ramon Bhagavad Gita, Ch 6 Sevak: Bela Pandya Contact: Sireesha Balabadra (925) 804-6102 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Wed.)

San Ramon/Calif HS Bhagavad Gita, Ch 7 Sevak: Vipin Kapadia Contact: Vipin Kapadia (925) 680-7037 Time: 3:15 p.m. (Sat.)

Saratoga: Self-Unfoldment Sevak: Jaswa Contact: Kalpana Jaswa (408) 741-4920 Time: 7:30pm (Thur.)

Redwood City: Bhagvad Gita, Ch. 6 Sevak: Sreeharsha Contact: Sunil Jeswani (650) 364-1074 Time: 7:30 pm (Fri.)

Walnut Creek: Bhagavad Gita Ch. 4 Sevak: Vipin Kapadia Contact: Rakesh Bhutani (925) 933-2650 Time: 9:30 am (Sun.)

Prabodhji's Classes at Bala Vihar Locations Fremont: session 1:30-3 pm Bhagavad Gita Ch 3 danville: 4:30-6 pm Gitas from Tulsi san Jose: session 1: 9 am Bhagavad Gita Ch 11 Session 2: 10:3 am Gitas from Tulsi Ramayana

Prabodhji's Classes at Sandeepany Mondays: 10-11:30 am Sri Ramacaritamanas Wednesdays: 10-11:45 am Kenopanishad (followed by class) Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:30-7:30 am Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30-8:30 pm Brhadaranyaka Upanishad Saturdays: 6:30-8:30 am. Guided Meditation and

31 Itinerary for Swami Tejomayananada Late Summer 2011

Date Location/Event Phone

July 29 - Aug 3 Chinmaya Mission (1-630) 654-3370 Chicago Mahasamadhi Camp Gita Ch. 9, Jnana Sara

4 Aug - 8 Aug Reserved

9 Aug - 13 Aug Switzerland (41) 7910-46090 Aviva Keller Asylstr 102 Zurich 80387

14 Aug - 19 Aug Norway (47) 4094-2008 R Alexander Medin Bygdoy Allé 16 Oslo 0262 Norway

21 Aug - 23 Aug Central Chinmaya MissionTrust (91-22) 2857-8647 Saki Vihar Rd., Powai, Mumbai 400 072 Maharashtra, India

24 Aug - 29 Aug Chinmaya Gardens (91-422) 261-5446 Siruvani Main Rd., Nallur Vayal PO Coimbatore 641 114, , India

30 Aug - 10 Sep Central Chinmaya MissionTrust (91-22) 2857-8647 Saki Vihar Rd., Powai, Mumbai 400 072 Maharashtra, India

32 “Live morality before you talk of it. Practise meditation before you preach it. Taste goodness before you recommend it. Gain bliss before you offer it to others.”

~ Swami Chinmayananda

Join the Chinmaya Family as SPONSORS… We invite you to join our Sponsorship program so that you can help us to promote, sustain and continue to teach adults and children, alike, the Hindu Dharma which is our Heritage. Chinmaya Mission began its service to the Hindu Community some 20 years ago in the Bay Area.We are funded by public contributions. Your contribution, as a Sponsor, goes towards the operation of Sandeepany. Many families who are taking part in the various classes that we offer to adults and children, have enrolled themselves as Sponsors. They enjoy many benefits and become an integral part of the spiritual family at Sandeepany. Sponsorship is an annual contribution of $500 per family. The donation is tax deductible and can also be paid bi-annually, quarterly or monthly. What Do Our Sponsors Receive? • They enjoy all the classes offered at Sandeepany Schools for adults and children. • They will receive the journal, MANANAM and the bi-monthly Newsletters: Chinmaya Tej and CMW Newsletter. • Sponsors are invited to attend Weekend Retreats held periodically at Sandeepany.

United Way Contributions Your contributions to United Way can now be designated to Chinmaya Mission San Jose (United Way I.D. No 212100). The Mission is enrolled to receive such contributions with United Way Agency in Santa Clara. Chinmaya Family would like to thank you for your support. e If travelling South on 101 s Take Guadalupe Expressway Exit Then go past the airport about two (2) miles and get off at Park Ave. exit San Jo At the bottom of the ramp, and at the light, make a right turn

If travelling South on 280

eepany Take the Meridian North Exit

d Go to Park Ave. and make a right turn San

If travelling South on 880 Take the 280 exit to San Jose to

Get off at the Meridian North Exit s Go to Park Ave. and make a right turn

tion If travelling South on 680

c Get off at Race Street Exit At the bottom of the ramp, at the light, make a right turn

Dire Go to Park Ave. (3rd light) and make a right

Chinmaya Mission Non-Profit Organization San Jose U.S. Postage Sandeepany San Jose PAID Piercy, CA 1050 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95126 Ph. (408) 998-2793 Fax (408) 998-2952

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