Vedanta US Study Group Topics

Attendees: Nandini-didi, Chandra, Neelam, Laxmi, Sneha, Tara    Why does the title of this chapter (in the book The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda   Vol III ) begin with the words "The God of Love ...."? It is easy to get it mixed up with " Love of God "!    The preceding chapter ( The Triangle of Love ) is about love , and the essence of this chapter is built on the understanding of the nature of the Para-Bhakta. These are the three angles of the triangle of love.     The Para-Bhakta is not an ordinary man. He/She is one who has " passed beyond the idea of selfishness, of bartering and bargaining, and who knows no fear ". What is the ideal of the Para-Bhakta?    In the previous chapter, Swamiji says, "That ideal which men and women commonly worship is what is in themselves; every person projects his or her own ideal on the outside world and kneels before it." Swamiji explains this by taking the relationship of husband ...

Samaskara that is our karmaphala is one of the key elements that differeniates ones  idealism from another that was my answer But what Tara said was ... we are progressively growing from the stage  where we have come  from actually our minds are closed and clouded but we are potentially divine that was Nandini's reply. It means life is continuing process and in each life birth we are continuing to evolve and also not competing with one another until we get liberated. Nilaam asked a vital question which makes all of us think of putting on our thinking cap and that is  if one gets liberated amongst us then the the  scenario of liberation shifts little bit another soul will continue then who is going to replace the one who had already attained Mukti. I haven't added  Leelamoye (M)/ Leelabati (F) leelakhertra part yet.  Neelam also asked after liberation, does the liberated soul look upon this world as maya or leela. Nandini added Some other sou...

Human life is best among all living forms, as our soul can attain MUKTHI or MOKSHA in this life. To reach pinnacle, we need to identify our GURU, who can guide us from MAYA(existing world) and lead us to salvation. Spiritual journey is divine, we should start it with our own interest, so we can find reason for our existence and find ways to unify in GOD Now questions may arise, am i ready, how long do i need to do it, what if i get distracted, who can help me, will i be able to do it and many more The answer is absolutely YES, have faith in GURU, believe in yourself, we can definitely attain SACHIDANANDA First and foremost thing to start with: Remove ‘I’ from your mind. ( I is the root cause of all negative emotions) Now our mind becomes purer and lighter and helps to gain more Gynana Start following below points.. 1. Identify your ISHTA.(whom you feel epitome) you can express all your feelings with ISHTA. 2. Make sure you spend some quality time daily in ideal pl...

Aprâtikulya 3.30.2020 ATTENDEES: Nandini-didi, Tara, Neelam and Lakshmi Today's topic was around understanding what is the nature of the universal love of a Bhakta. Here are my notes. Please add to it or improve it: "Apratikulya" is when I no longer perceive that something, anything, bad is happening to me. In fact, it does not even occur to me, that the nature of what is going on, is "bad". This is because my thoughts are so deeply immersed in love, a universal love, that I no longer look at anything as something other  or separate, from me. The Bhakta no longer looks at anything, with any emotion, other than love. Also, being full of this universal love, the Bhakta would only put the body to good use, the best use being in service of people. Not having body consciousness is the very foundation for the above state of mind. Without body consciousness, isn't it going to be difficult to distinguish between what is me & mine, and what is no...