® CHINMAYA MISSION® WEST BIMONTHLY NEWSLETTER March 2009, No. 128 In This Issue SPIRITUAL TRAILS Life is a Gift, Living an Art The Flag of Realization a dialogue Travelogue REFLECTIONS Mother Lakshmi to the Rescue Where Is My Beloved Divine? I Found My Way NEWS & EVENTS CM Beaumont New Property CM San Diego New Property Krishnalaya Camps CHYK Washington D.C. Ekadashi at CM Princeton CM Boston Expands CM Atlanta: "Happy Living" CM LA Youth Meet CORD CM Phoenix Performs FEATURE Chinmaya Vibhooti Camp ANNOUNCEMENTS Mahasamadhi Camp 2009 Young Married Couples Seminar Dharma Sevak Course CIF’s E-Vedanta Course CHYK Retreat CM Dallas Family Camp Vedanta Course 2010 Sanskrit Study Course CM Chicago Youth Camp 21 Weeks with Lord Ganesha! 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Editor: Brahmacharini Aparna Chaitanya Layout: Odalis Valdivieso DCHINMAYA PUBLICATIONS d Cover Photo of Arya Chatani: Courtesy of Neelam Raja Chatani Copy Editors: Dipali Trivedi, James Hausman, Anupama Bathala www.chinmayapublications.com CM Centers' Liaison: Seema Jani Submissions: [email protected] Toll Free (888) CMW-READ 'Krishnalaya' CMW Headquarters/Retreat Center: (707) 207-5011 / fax (707) 247-3422; [email protected] [email protected] CMW Executive Secretary: Brahmacharini Aparna Chaitanya / (305) 279-8456; (215) 396-0390; fax (215) 396-9710 fax (305) 477-5362; [email protected] d His Holiness Swami Tapovanam All will admit that joy is to be found in peace and not in the agitations of the mind. But some look upon that goal of human life as the cessation of all sorrow, some take it as the realization of Self through the distinction between the real and the unreal, some others consider it as sheer non-existence (shunya), and yet others conceive of it as the height of happiness reached in the enjoyment of worldly pleasures. The unique state of serene peace can be attained only in a non-dual state. So long as man recognizes an entity outside himself—in other words, so long as a world and a God exist apart from him, he cannot have complete detachment or absolute peace. Nothingness (shunya), because it is nothing, cannot be Peace, for the existent and the non-existent cannot be placed on the same footing. By mistake, people find in comparative peace unlimited peace and liberation, fulfillment of life’s purpose. Absolute peace can exist in nothing except Brahman, which is the negation of duality. Source: Wandering in the Himalayas d His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda Our self-unfoldment, inner growth, personality, and charm can burst forth in all their fragrance and joy only when we plan for, and bring about, an actual translation of our idealism into our day-to-day life. We must live what we believe in. We must act upon our cherished ideas. We must strive to live our accepted philosophy of life. As seekers and sincere aspirants to a higher cultural life, you all must learn to translate your ideal picture of yourself in your work life. This is only possible through regular self-examination and long, careful introspection. Each day, see the drama of your own daily life thrown upon the screen of your own mind. Watch. Edit the play; take new decisions; discover the faults; avoid them in your next 24 hours of life. Thus, one by one, weed out your weaknesses in your physical contacts and dealings, in your mental feelings and emotions, and in your intellectual estimation of things and beings. Source: Chinmaya Udgosh, May 2005 d His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda Mauna, or “silence,” is observed at many levels. The grosser is at the level of speech. For beginners, this helps prevent unnecessary wastage of energy due to worldly gossip. A reflective mind is also said to be in mauna. When a deeply contemplative mind discusses or investigates within about one’s roots, it is true Self-inquiry. With subtle discrimination, we distinguish that which we are, from that which we are not. I am not the body, senses, or mind. I am the witnessing Consciousness. These thoughts should not be the repetition of learned words, but the realization of a fact. For example, under the influence of alcohol, I thought I was a beggar. When I am sober, I realize I am not. Such an assertive flow of thoughts, regarding my true nature, removed the wrong notion and habits of the mind, which is used to living as a limited entity. With continuous practice, these thoughts lead us to an egoless state of being. Source: Sat Darshan Click here for Pujya Guruji’s Itinerary Spiritual Trails Life is a Gift, Living an Art Talk by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda Transcribed by CM Chicago; edited for print hinking is a special faculty of human beings throat.” Life is so precious that we are willing to andT it is undeniably a gift. When we know how pay any price for it. to think, our problems can be solved, resolved, or dissolved. If we do not know how to think, more Everything else is possible only when there is life and more problems can crop up, and existing in us. I did not buy this life. I cannot say that my problems can become complicated. parents gave it to me, as this is also not possible. I did not create it and cannot take credit for it. What is a gift? If I go to a shop and buy something I created a lot of confusion in my life, but I did for myself, is that a gift? A lady bought herself a not create life. The people I know also cannot take mink coat and told her husband, “I bought this credit for it. It is a gift—but from whom? Who as a gift from you, for my birthday, because you gave it to me? People with faith say God gave it. will not remember!” If we buy something for Atheists say Nature gave it. Whether it is Nature’s ourselves, then it is a purchase not a gift. And if gift or God’s gift, it is a gift. And whenever we we make something and give it to ourselves, it also receive such a precious present, we must know cannot be called a gift. The fundamental element how to use it. is that a gift has to be given by someone else. It should also be given out of love. A bribe involves It is very easy to abuse, misuse, not use, or giving, but is not a gift since there is an ulterior even destroy life. While making good use of motive or expectation. A donation may also not be life is difficult, destroying it is easy. Gautama a gift if someone has asked us or forced us to give Buddha was once going through a forest where it. When giving comes from the heart and out of Angulimala lived. Angulimala killed people and love, when no one demands and yet you give and wore a necklace made of their fingers. No one feel like giving, then it is a gift. had the courage to pass through that forest. When Angulimala saw Buddha, he was surprised, As living beings, it is clear that we have life in us, as there was no fear in Buddha. He was totally but we cannot claim any right over it.