Society of Toronto (Ramakrishna Mission) 120 Emmett Ave. Toronto, ON CANADA M6M 2E6 Tel: 416-240-7262 Fax: 416-245-3764 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vedantatoronto.ca

Newsletter November 2010 Words to Inspire

Bondage is not outside. It is within. Bondage is in one’s own mind, but it mistakenly appears to be outside. Once can understand this clearly when one’s mind becomes pure through good karma and God’s grace. But the intellectual understanding is not enough to get rid of bondage. It is through the grace of the guru and intense self-effort that one becomes free from bondage. -Spiritual Treasures - Letters of Swami Turiyananda- At Peace With Oneself (Practical Spirituality – Swami Lokeshwarananda, p 5-6) Life is a torment with most people. A satisfy his desires and he satisfies them, the same continuing, unremitting torment. They find life such a desires will attack him with redoubled fury as soon as cruel joke that they wish they could get rid of it. The they are fulfilled. compares desires sooner, the better. The reason varies from individual to to fire. Just as fire is never extinguished by the individual. It may be poverty, disease, bereavement, or addition of fuel to it, so also desires never got rid of disappointment, but ironically, the reason, in some by satisfying them. The more they are satisfied, the cases, is one’s own self. The torment, in other words, is more they grow in intensity. Also, if one desire goes, self-inflicted. It is self-inflicted in the sense that it is not another immediately takes it place. Thus man is real, it is imaginary. If you ask such people what is constantly plagued by desires. An odd aspect of the hurting them, they will say they do not know. That does situation is that some of the desires remain not make the suffering less painful. There is also no easy unidentified; they hide themselves somewhere under relief for the suffering because the cause is not known. surface of the mind and never show up till an The fact of the matter is that the cause, if there is any at opportune moment arrives. It is such desires that give all, is not objective. It is in the mind, embedded the most trouble to man. A man with such desires is somewhere in its depth. To outsiders, it does not exist, it always unhappy but he does not know why he is is imaginary, but to the sufferer it is real, very much so, unhappy. the only reality. Hindu philosophy advises equanimity under Why is it so, why do people suffer when there is all circumstances. It says, man should try to remain no reason, no apparent reason at least, that they should calm in face of both pleasure and pain, success and suffer? It is understandable if a man suffers because of failure. Whatever may happen, he should remain some misfortune, which throws him completely out of unperturbed. But is it possible? According to gear, but when there is no such calamity, why should he , it is possible if man can rid his mind of suffer? Hindu philosophy has an explanation for this, desires. Desirelessness is considered an ideal state of which however fantastic it may sound, deserves a close mind. To attain this state he has to practice look. It says that man suffers because he has too many discrimination. Most of the time he craves for desires, some prominent and some not very prominent ephemeral things; instead, he should struggle to get but no less pressing. There are desires which get things that last long. What are those things? In one fulfilled, and there are desires which never get fulfilled. word, perfection. There is no short cut to perfection. It is good that all his desires are not fulfilled, but he does One has to struggle hard for it. Hinduism does not not think so and he begins to fret. The unfulfilled desires believe in any miracle except the miracle of hard keep nagging at him constantly, and he never has a work. To be at peace with himself, man has to have moment’s peace of mind. If he is a person with means to this perfection.

Freedom through faith – Part II (Delivered by Swami Swahananda at the Vedanta Society of Toronto)

Your mental attitude controls the external situations there is a God, who will protect us, gave people because all the enjoyments and sufferings of the some hope to survive. Although God did not world are not so much in the body as they are in the actually protect many people, but still that hope mind. Say you have a heavy cold. You might kept them alive. So faith in God proved complain of body ache and fever, and you start beneficial. feeling that God is so unkind to you. Then you read the newspaper that one million Americans are suffering from the flu. Immediately on reading this Faith gives courage and freedom. The more news, you start feeling better, not because your courage you develop, the more free you feel. fever and body ache has lessened, but you now Arnold J. Toynbee in his book ‘Civilization on know that one million people are with you. Your Trial’ said that modern people do not mind has now gone out of yourself and related itself understand how much of their freedom is to the other one million people. curtailed. Previously if anybody wanted to travel anywhere it was so easy. But nowadays it That is why when somebody dies, the near and requires so much documentation to be filled in dear ones are asked to do service to other before you can travel. This way the freedom is people, so that their mind gets diverted from curtailed. themselves and they feel less pain. Thinking about ourselves results in suffering. But once Now we discuss about faith on the lower level we start practicing unselfishness, we start – political and social level. There also, if the considering what is beneficial to others and as a people do not have confidence in their result our suffering is reduced. government, the government cannot last. It is one of the axioms of jurisprudence that a The mental attitude that there is a God, can be majority of the people must agree to the law. of great help to us. If you have faith in God, Otherwise the law will not have any validity. then even when you are sick, you start thinking They may punish you if you break it, but still that God is there to protect you and you feel that law has no validity in the minds of the better. So faith will save you from anxiety: that people. is the main benefit of faith. Any belief or any theory that gives confidence to man, is worth When the Second World War took place, I was considering. It need not be the truth, but if it in India. Due to shortage of food the British can impress the mind and give it confidence, government introduced rationing. The monthly then it will do good to us. For example, a child ration was so little that it would only cover us has complete faith that his mother is there to for 20-25 days. After that there was no food. protect him. The mother may know that in But just 25 miles away, there was a ration-free reality it is beyond her ability to protect the zone and one could buy any amount of food child. But the child feels sure that his mother there. So most of the people would travel there will protect him. and bring a small quantity of food from that place and would sell here. In 1946 there were riots in Kolkata. Hundreds of innocent people were killed. Hostels were We used to manage a children home with about attacked and many students were killed. Later 167 students. The food was always scarce – on the police came in and controlled the how could we feed the students was our main situation. But during this period, the idea that concern. We complained about the food shortage to the Government. They advised us to

close down the hostel. Meanwhile the local the weaker power. So if by freedom we refer to magistrate issued an order that this law of political freedom, whether we have freedom or rationing was immoral and the Minister then not depends on what the social circumstances lifted the ban. Here also since we had faith in are. But from a spiritual point of view, your God, we did not starve. Faith will sustain you. very nature is freedom.

We are always anxious about our future; in fact You may say that it is not your experience. But a major part of our suffering is for the past and there is an important teaching: ‘As you think, the future. All the time we repent about the past so you become’. Having faith in the teaching and are anxious of the future. In fact, we should will help you to realize it. It is not true that we always enjoy the present, and not spend all our are bound or that we are sinners. Sri energy in worrying about the past or the future. Ramakrishna said that one should not repeat If we have faith in God, then we will be free such things as ‘I am a sinner’. To call from these anxieties. somebody a sinner is sin itself. All purity is in you. If you say- ‘Suddhaham, Buddhaham, People have so much faith in their children, Niramayaham – I am pure, I am illumined, I am they put all their money in educating their free from disease’, then the sub-conscious mind children, even though the children may not take will absorb the idea and then project care of them in future. Half the people of this accordingly. world whom you help, do not feel any gratitude. This does not mean that we should The soul is freedom itself; it has not acquired not help people. However, it is better not to freedom. The moment you think that you are expect any gratitude; if you want to give, then free, you become free. Of course, until it is give without any expectation. your experience, this is also faith. Remember always that one day you will die. The day you Swamiji said that whatever qualities are are born you started to move towards death. acquired will go away. But freedom is our real That will help you to have faith in God. In that nature; it is not acquired by outside faith, you will discover freedom. circumstances. It is different from political freedom, which may be acquired and lost. In *** politics, the bigger power will always replace VEDANTA SOCIETY OF TORONTO 1. The Vedanta Society of Toronto is planning a major expansion to its existing premises in order to accommodate the growing needs of the devotees. Members, devotees and friends are welcome to email their suggestions and valuable input on this project. The email address dedicated for this project: [email protected]

2. Soup Kitchen is looking for volunteers, for the year 2010 – 2011 to enable us to continue the soup kitchen. Volunteers are required for 2 hours to prepare soup & salad. Please drop in on Tuesdays at 9:30 am & 10 am on Saturdays.

BELUR MATH NEWS

Vivekananda Institute of Human (ICM), held for the first time in India, at Hyderabad Excellence at Hyderabad Math celebrated its 10th from 19 to 27 August. There were several satellite anniversary from 8 to 10 September in which Sri conferences before or after the ICM; in five of E S L Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, them, faculty members of this University were Swami Prabhanandaji, General Secretary, invited speakers, and at three of these conferences, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, and Vivekananda University was the only Indian several other dignitaries participated. institution represented by an invited speaker. Swami Prabhanandaji, General Secretary, Swami Smarananandaji, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, laid Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, the foundation stone for the proposed Sri inaugurated the newly built first floor on the Ramakrishna Block at Vivekananda College primary school building at Sargachhi Ashrama on campus of Chennai Vidyapith on 8 August. 28 September. Kadapa centre celebrated the Centenary of Shillong Ashrama has started mobile Ramakrishna Movement in Kadapa by conducting medical service at Wakhen village. various programmes this month, including The renovated monks’ quarters building inauguration of two buildings at the City Centre: the at Nagpur Math was inaugurated on 19 August. newly built multipurpose hall on 5 September and Rajkot centre observed the anniversary of the renovated shrine on the 11th. 's Participation in Chicago On 11 September, Raipur Ashrama held a Parliament of Religions on 11 September 1893, by symposium which was inaugurated by Dr Raman organizing youth seminars and public meetings. Singh, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh As a part of its programme to familiarize Swami Smarananandaji, Vice-President, school students with Indian Culture and inculcate Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, moral values in them, our Ulsoor (Bangalore) Math inaugurated the newly built first floor on the conducted cultural competitions from 21 August to Technical Section building at the Girls’ School 18 September in which 552 school students campus of Sarisha centre on 18 September. participated. The annual convocation of Vivekananda Guwahati Ashrama conducted a health- University for the Faculties of Disability awareness-cum-treatment camp at Jiakur Management and Special Education (DMSE) (Kukurmara), village in Kamrup district on 24 andGeneral & Adapted Physical Education and August, in which 556 patients were treated. (GAPEdY) was held at the University’s Manasadwip centre conducted a health Faculty Centre in Coimbatore on 25 September, in awareness camp on 28 August. which 95 and 313 successful candidates Porbandar centre conducted a dental camp respectively of the above faculties were awarded at the Ashrama premises on 11 September, in which degree and diploma certificates. Dr Mylswamy 32 patients were treated. Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan-1&2, Garbeta centre conducted a health- ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, delivered the awareness-cum-treatment camp at Hoomgarh in convocation address. Pashchim Medinipur district on 24 September, in Three students associated with the which 160 dental patients were treated. Department of Mathematics Chandigarh centre – 2410 school children of Vivekananda University have gained admission of Panchkula district (Haryana) and Patiala district to doctoral programmes in various universities in (Punjab) underwent eye check-up; of these, France, one of them being under an Indo-French 97 children with refractory errors were given free collaboration scheme. glasses. Two faculty members, two research Lucknow centre – 362 underprivileged scholars and three MSc students of Vivekananda school children were given Vitamin A capsules, and University attended, on invitation, the prestigious 81 children with refractory errors were given free International Congress of Mathematicians glasses this month.

SUMMARY OF PAST EVENTS Durga Puja was held on Friday, October 15, Vijaya Dashami was celebrated on Sunday, 2010 at 5:30pm. The programme consisted of October 17, 2010 at 11 am. The programme bhajans, reading, homa and flower offering consisted of bhajans, reading, and shanti jal followed by prasad distribution. followed by prasad distribution. UPCOMING EVENTS

Sri Sarada Devi Birth Anniversary will be Christmas Eve will be celebrated on Friday celebrated on Monday 27th Dec 2010 at 24th Dec 2010 at 6pm. The programme includes 11.00 am. The programme will consist of devotional songs, carols, reading from the Bible, bhajans, puja, homa, flower offering followed worship, offering of lit candles by the devotees by prasad distribution. followed by prasad distribution. REGULAR PROGRAMMES SCRIPTURE CLASS: Friday Scripture meditation is held in the evenings from 6:00 Classes begin at 7:30 pm, following the pm to 8:00 pm. regular evening prayer at 6:00 pm. The class, DAILY BREAD FOOD BANK: Many less held at the centre, is open to all interested fortunate families are dependent on the food persons. bank for their daily nutrition. Please help us by VIGIL: On Saturday, November 13, 2010, a contributing non-perishable food items that we vigil consisting of japa and meditation will be may pass along to the Daily Bread Food Bank. observed, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. To SOUP KITCHEN: The Soup is cooked at the participate, please call the centre at 416-240- Vedanta Society and office 9 days in 7262. November (2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 & 30) RAM NAM: Sunday November 14, 2010 at serving 450 meals at Syme Woolner 5:00 pm. Neighbourhood & Family Centre, 2468 INTERVIEWS/INSTRUCTION: Eglinton Ave W, Unit 3, Toronto, ON, M6M Swami Kripamayananda will be happy to give 5E2. Please contact the Centre, if you are interviews to those interested in knowing more interested in participating. Donations for the about Vedanta and meditation. Individual Soup Kitchen will be highly appreciated. interviews are also given for spiritual BOOK STORE: The Book Store is open after instruction. Appointments for interviews Sunday Services and special programmes, and should be made in advance with the Swami at arrangements can be made by phone for 416-240-7262. weekday and Saturday visits. We carry selected DAILY MEDITATION: Meditation is titles from the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda observed at the Centre every morning from literature, as well as other Vedantic materials. 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Devotional singing and

Live in the world like a waterfowl. The water clings to the bird, but the bird shakes it off. Live in the world like a mudfish. The fish lives in the mud, but its skin is always bright and shiny. I tell you the truth: there is nothing wrong in your being in the world. But you must direct your mind toward God; otherwise you will not succeed. Do your duty with one hand and with the other hold to God. After the duty is over you will hold to God with both hands. -SAYINGS OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA-

Vedanta Society of Toronto Minister and Teacher - Swami Kripamayananda, Ramakrishna Order of India CALENDAR OF EVENTS November 2010

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6:30pm 6 9:30am 9:30am KALI PUJA Soup Kitchen Soup CELEBRATION Kitchen

7 11am Lecture: 8 9 10 11 9:30am 12 7:30pm 13 9:30am ‘Mother Worship’ 9:30am Soup Kitchen Scripture class: Soup Kitchen Soup ‘Vivekachudamani Kitchen Vigil: 6 am to 6 pm 14 11am: 15 16 17 18 19 7:30pm 20 9:30am “ANNUAL 9:30am Scripture class: Soup Kitchen GENERAL Soup ‘Gospel of Sri MEETING” Kitchen Ramakrishna’

5:00pm Ram Nam 21 11am Video: 22 23 24 25 26 7:30pm 27 9:30am ‘Eight Limbs of 9:30am Scripture class: Soup Kitchen Yoga-Part 2’ – by Soup ‘Gospel of Sri Sw.Prabhavananda Kitchen Ramakrishna’

1:30pm - VVM 28 11am Lecture: 29 30 ‘How to Study’ – by 9:30am Prof. Kumar Murty Soup 1:30pm - VVM Kitchen

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Vedanta Society of Toronto’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11:00 am. Any member wishing to nominate an active and willing member of the Vedanta Society for the Executive Committee may do so by writing to the Society. All nominations must be received by November 4, 2010 and be duly proposed and seconded, and approved by Swami Kripamayananda. All our members and friends are requested to attend the meeting. If you are unable to attend, please fill in the proxy form included in October 2010 newsletter and send it so that it reaches on or before November 14.