Living Lotusly!

“Swami Vivekananda is an enduring source of inspiration” said the Honourable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, as he together with millions across the world paid respects and remembered this great son of India and inspirer of the world on 4th July, which was Swamiji’s Maha Samadhi Day. How should we view this day? I believe it must be celebrated as a day of victory. It was Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna who said that Naren will leave his body when he had finished his work. Although we all lament His early departure from the earthly planes, Swamiji had “set in motion the machinery” that would develop a new order of beings - more confident, brave, highly progressive, strong and ready to face the world.

The morning broke with much excitement in the Kingdom of the Zulu with the Durban July horse race grasping the attention of many as they pondered upon their attire and obviously on their choice for the winner, in preparation to attend the event. My thoughts however managed to weave past these entirely frivolous distractions and centre on the aim of attending Ashram to offer my respectful obeisance and gratitude to a Saint whose heart cried out to the folly of man in leading an uninspired and aimless life through ignorance of his true nature.

An empyrean vibe accosted the Satsangh Hall which imbued with the essence of sandal incense. The regally adorned altar simply invoked adoration and did not stall in transporting devotees into a realm of supreme tranquillity.  No soon as Kandana Bhava Bandhana (arathi) was sung… my mind was unbounded from the precincts of Durban Ashram and ported to the banks of Belur Math. I could hear the gongs and bells echo in the flamboyant arched halls of the Temple. Tears streamed down the face of devotees as the flames of the arathi flickered and danced for the enjoyment of the seated image of  Master. The concerted and the collective rendition soaked in such sincere devotion drowned out the blaring horn of the nearby jute mill, the foraging crows and the rickety ferries bobbing on the tempestuous Ganga. I pictured Swamiji pacing His veranda with a smoke in His hand, deep in thought, heart bleeding with pain about the condition of humanity. I took solace and comfort knowing that Swamiji will continue to pace His veranda until the work He set in motion -that is to deliver every soul from the abyss of ignorance to the point of understanding it is one with the divine- is realised.

Here in South Africa, the Ramakrishna Mission, through the inspired work of Swami Nischalananda has catalysed and augmented the vision of Swami Vivekananda by channelising youth energy into developing value-based character.

Youth performing at the Childrens' Cultural Festival
Pic Courtesy: SA Devotees

The Childrens' Cultural Festival initiated by Swami Nischalananda show cases the results of immense sacrifice and intense dedication in nurturing and grooming the new order of beings as envisaged by Swamiji. You cannot imagine the delight on the faces of those who watch the cultural feast for the first time, which is completely produced by the youth with the assistance of their Sunday School teachers. For those of us who have attended previously, we are simply stunned by the standards that continuously improve year after year.

It was also heart-warming to see that Swamiji’s instruments - the Monks of the order starting to multiply in South Africa… a definite and clear sign that the spiritual renaissance is going to be given new impetus and vigour over the next few months.  The grace extended through the first President from Belur Math, Swami Vimokshananda, expanded on Saturday when our current President Swami Vishwathmananda returned to South Africa with two new monks who will compliment and intensify the work of Swamiji in South Africa. South Africa is blessed and elated to welcome Swami Sumanasananda and Swami Tadbhasananda to her shores.

Monks of the Ramakrishna Order in attendance at the Childrens' Cultural Festival
Pic Courtesy: SA Devotees

Swami Vivekananda’s life speaks to the search and rescue of the indomitable strength, power and resolve that lies within each one of us.  Swamiji’s life punctuated with its fair share of trials and tribulations resonates amicably with many people who are struggling to keep their head above water in the vast ocean of existence. Struggle has become synonymous with life. Victory comes to those who adopt the correct attitude and temerity to face and resolve the impasses before them.

The burly and authoritative words of Swamiji at once reduces to ashes any smouldering signs of weakness, lethargy, fear and uncertainty flourishing from the root of ignorance. “Face the brutes” - probably one of his most audacious and potent utterances commands immediate fearlessness against challenges that confront us.

The most brilliant and priceless gems emerge out of the confrontation with the cutting-brush. Our inadequacies and inferiority complex has thwarted us from emerging as shining gems against the challenges of life. Our great concern is our youth who have sought the escapist routes of suicide, substance abuse and the life of crime in order to pass the days oblivious of the world.

 

Youth performing at the Childrens' Cultural Festival
Pic Courtesy: SA  Devotees

Based on the foundations and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, we witness the youth of our Sunday Schools blossoming like the splendid and beautiful lotus in the murky waters of this world. They radiate such confidence and panache and adorn a little smirk of their faces, challenging life to test them.

Positive role models, good literature that develops your intellectual and mental capacity and aligning yourself to values and teachings that help you expose your divine nature is essential for success in this time. I can assure our youth and adults alike that Swami Vivekananda is definitely an enduring source of inspiration and light to you.

May Swamiji, who assured us that he will continue to work 1500 years after He had left His body, guide and help us reach our full potential and lead prosperous lives, is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers

Yogan

Attractive Associations

Landing the pen on to the page after 6 months found my mind in turmoil struggling to coalesce the fragments of thoughts into a coherent idea. At that point, I recalled the last post of Swami Vimokshananda before He departed South Africa where He elaborated about an incident related to Kanaka Dasa -a humble and sincere devotee of Lord Krishna- and the association with metal and magnet. The laws of physics explain explicitly the behaviour of a metal in the field of a magnet. The metal becomes extremely excited and active in its presence and goes to rest in the absence of the magnet. In trying to justify my absence especially to those avid readers of the blog who mailed and messaged me to enquire about the distinct silence, I would have to submit to the fact that my magnet of inspiration, Revered Swamiji leaving us, did leave me marooned from the will to write.

Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna in many of His teachings gave prominence to the benefits of pious and holy company. He said: “many warm themselves in the fire kindled by someone else who has taken the trouble of collecting the firewood and the other necessary things, similarity many fix their mind on the Lord by associating with, and following the instructions of holy men who have come to realise the divine after a good deal of hard penance.” Swami Vimokshananda was one such warm and selfless fire who warmed the hearts of all South Africans that associated with Him and those who were in His presence. He gave all that He could whole-heartedly without a single thought for Himself. Hence His departure in a way set in a cold spell of emptiness.

Yesterday was four years since I received the gentle command from Maharaj to pen my thoughts in the form of a blog and like a splint He has always guided, supported, encouraged and inspired me to explore my mind and inner being for answers to enquiries that plague us on a daily basis. The journey has been truly enlightening and rewarding. Like a veracious and unerring magnet that always maintains its attractiveness to metal, Maharaj sent an awakening jolt from Singapore yesterday on the Anniversary of the blog calling for a new post. Like how the metal has to succumb in full co-operation to the power of the magnet, I with full sastanga pranams to my Guru and Maharaj pen this first post for the year.

THUF Poster at the Youth Day Fun Run

The Tongaat Hindu Unity Form hosted yet another astounding and successful Arise Awake Fun Run on June 16th commemorated as National Youth Day in South Africa. Interestingly, India celebrates National Youth Day on the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda… because of His grand and illuminating ideas on youth development and also for His colossal contributions to the awakening and liberation of India during the prime of his youth.

The word “youth” is trending increasingly on social media. Why has it become the new buzzword? Are youth feeling the pressure of the pressure? What are their expectations? What do adults expect of them? At a Youth Day address in 1995, Nelson Mandela said: “I am confident that South Africa’s youth is more than ready to meet the challenge of freedom. We are firm in our conviction that you deserve a better future.” 21 Years later and even after the deaths of Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, Swami Vivekananda and others... their visionary ideas and ideals hold true. The question remains: are youth doing their duty?

  

Duty, sacrifice and other such beautiful words in the literary pantheon can only be given true meaning if we attach respect and action to them. Action – another pretty word... that has no meaning... if the verb is not carried out. Leo Buscaglia famously said: “the time for action is now, and only you can make the difference.”

Without wanting to diminish the success and achievements of a good portion of the youth in our country -which is sadly polarised by the large number who have become a menace to the society through their deeds and habits- we attribute the negativity to the lack of employment opportunities, skills, social conditions and the association of uninspiring company.

Sri Ramakrishna said that even moist wood placed upon fire soon becomes dry and finally burns. Similarly association with good, inspiring company helps drive away the moisture of weakness, dullness, lethargy and despondency from the heart of a person and then the fire of viveka   (discrimination between good and bad) burns steadily in them.

Swami Saradaprabhanandaji of the Phoenix Sub-Centre always pointed out that young people must be exposed to mind strengthening, character-building literature rather than material that is merely sensational and lacks the ability to inspire you to excel to your full potential.

Youth must ensure that they identify and study sound role models. Amidst all the scandals and inadequacies of leaders in the world, there are role models of impeccable character and who have the force to mould young people into laureate citizens.

In concluding this post, I want to quote from the engraved walls of the Hector Pieterson Memorial Square in Soweto the words of Mbuyisa Makhubo’s Mother (the boy who together with Antoinette Sithole carried the body of Hector Pieterson moments after he was shot... in the iconic picture we’ve come to associate with Youth Day in South Africa): Mbuyisa is or was my son, but he is not a hero. In my culture, picking up Hector is not an act of heroism. It was his job as a brother. It was his duty.

Swami Vivekananda said that He “holds every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense pays not the least heed to them”. This profound statement by Swamiji speaks to the fact that a society cannot progress when certain parts of the society lag behind. It is the duty therefore of every person to help raise the standards of every person to a dignified position. Swamiji further states that there can be no liberation until all are free.

Hence we can deduce that when we perform any act of kindness or seva, it is futile to attempt such for recognition or fame, but to attempt it with a sense of duty as it eventually is for your own well-being and liberation. Let us all collectively work towards ending hatred, bigotry and all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, social status etc. and work towards harmonising the world towards peace, joy and the one goal being God-realisation. 

The 21st of June has been declared International Yoga day by the United Nations. Let us all use this ancient technique to find union with the universe.

May we all strive to be good people and to be good and inspiring company to others, is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always

Yogan

Wishing all Dads a blessed Father’s Day for Sunday, 21st June. 

Boxing Day Blues!!!!!

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

Swami Vimokshananda
pic- google images

At 09:30pm on Christmas Eve, I retired to bed and the lateral orientation of my body against the embracing mattress was so comforting after a long day. My angled-gaze fixed upon the ceiling caught the reflection of Master, Mother and Swamiji that hung above my bed. The air was dissolved with a heavy silence. It seems the world was fatigued and withdrawn from the activities of the “silly season”. Being a bit of a social animal... solitude comes across like an annoying cousin, so I struck a little conversation with the Trio. I do concede that I returned the quill to the stand until the New Year, but it was divinely summoned from its sabbatical by Swami Vimokshananda for one special post. Hence I pen this blog as a special dedication to Revered Swamiji before His departure from South Africa on Tuesday.

Although this festive season has no direct implication on Hindus or any other faith  - but because of the Christian influence on the world- all activities centre on the Christian calendar. Hence the world winds down and goes into a festive spirit during this time of the Christian commemoration of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. My enquiry focused around the mechanical and robotic nature of life. We have become so enslaved in the pursuit of material accomplishments that we no longer enjoy the bliss of our free spirit. Our happiness is deferred for an entire year and we try to explode and burst into jubilation and freedom for a predetermined period called the festive season.



As this enquiry was levelling out, my mind soared to the peaks of the Himalayas and the deltas of the Ganges... where in the residual of both was a civilisation that lived and enjoyed the nature of their free spirit. It was during that place and era where life, purpose and contentment happily and congenially embraced one another. The Indus valley civilisation was the seat of the Vedic way of life and culture. Driven by the quest for eternal peace, they ventured inward rather than taking instructions from the senses. This was the oasis and grand manifestation of Sanathana Dharma rooted in values and practicality.



Through attack and invasion the system was contaminated and through force and persistent brainwashing, people were lead to embrace the instant gratification of the senses and lost touch and contact with the joy of freedom within. 

The Trust Deeds lodged with the Government of India will reflect that the Ramakrishna Mission and Math was officially founded on 1 May 1897 by Swami Vivekananda. As a sannyasin monk we ponder what the need for Swamiji to formalise an organisation was? Whilst living with His Guru and Master, His expressed desire to be in 'samadhi' and free was very prevalent. So after the death of Sri Ramakrishna it was the ideal opportunity for Him to roam the lands as a free iterant monk and immerse Himself in 'samadhi'.



However out of His empathy for the enslaved masses and the lost souls of the world, Swamiji bound Himself physically to the work. It was on Christmas Eve...in the same year of the Master's passing that Swamiji together with a few other disciples took their vow of renunciation before the dhuni fire. It was during this festive period that the seeds of "atmano mokshartham jagat hitaya che" -for one’s own salvation and the welfare of the world- were planted and His mission to make man understand his innate nature of freedom and capacitate him to enjoy the same was crystallised.



Thus I note with intrigue the profound coupling of Christmas Day with Boxing Day. According to recorded history, Boxing Day is an English tradition, today celebrated mostly as a bank holiday. But in the days of yore it was when servants were at work on Christmas Day busy serving their Masters and were given leave from duty on the next day with a box of left-over treats and money. Thus this day became known as Boxing Day. This was the significance of Christmas and Boxing Day in the former days. In contemporary times I see it in a different way.



Swami Vivekananda reached Kanyakumari on the eve of Christmas in 1892, He was burdened with the depression, despair and despondency of what He witnessed throughout His travels of India. He passed into a deep meditation at the tip of the Motherland... on the present and future of His country. He sought to understand the root of Her downfall. With the vision of a seer, He understood why India had been thrown from the pinnacle of glory to the depths of degradation. He reflected on the purpose and achievement of the Indian world. He perceived the realities and potentialities of Indian culture. He saw religion to be the life-blood of India’s millions. He realised in the silence of His heart that India shall rise only through a renewal and restoration of that highest spiritual consciousness that has made Her, at all times, the cradle of the Nations and cradle of the Faith. He saw Her greatness; He saw Her weaknesses as well... the central one of which was that the nation had lost its individuality.



With the Saviour and Messiah being born (Christmas Day) and living through the written word, our aim is put on the boxing gloves as we fight to free ourselves from the enslavement of the senses and mind. And instead of partaking of the left-overs and handouts, we must restore our individuality and partake of the grand feast with the Lord. Freedom is our birth-right and must be enjoyed by all. Let the fight begin.


Let the victory of freedom come to us all, is my sincere prayer.

My dear and Revered Swami Vimokshanandaji - Thank You for all your support and inspiration. Your stay in SA has been in itself a spiritual revolution to many of us. May your new posting bring you much more joy and happiness. You will forever live in our hearts.



Jai Swamiji!!!!!

With love and prayers
Yogan
www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

Sterling Sarada Ma!!!!

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Master performing pooja to Mother
pic-google images

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

There is an English phrase which says: "save the best for last". In many respects we are at the grand finale. Schools are out, places of business have closed for the year, and everything seems to be winding down to the gorge of relaxation from the hectic year that has been. Being a part of the madding crowd, I too, have decided that this shall be my last blog for the year. There have been many highlights and lowlights but in essence when once reflects through a clear mind, a sense of appreciation arouses from the dust of melancholy. The blessings add up when we account for so many things we take for granted that are conspicuously absent in many lives around the globe. In that light I decided to dedicate this post to HOLY MOTHER, who through Her unceasing ever-expanding heart... welling with compassion declared: "I am the Mother of the wicked, as well as the virtuous, when you are in distress always speak this to yourself: I have a Mother."


Born on 22 December 1853 in the humble village of  Jayrambathi, the Mother  followed the customs and traditions of Her lineage with sincerity and devotion. She was married to Sri Ramakrishna at the age of 5 and joined Him at Dakshineswar Temple at the age of 18. Her external life was full of struggle and challenges. At Dakshineshwar, She lived in an eight-square-feet room until She was 32 years but undertook all these discomforts  as spiritual training under the guide of a realised Master and emerged as His finest student. Although Her outer being went though much pain and suffering... Her inner being was the culmination of purity, joy and complete detachment from the outer world.


To the untrained eye, it may come across that the Ramakrishna-Order deliberately polarises the Mother. We always hear Monks ask if people have read Ramakrishna or Vivekananda or speak of the Master and Swamiji with much enthusiasm. It is only from the tongues of the ardent devotees of the Mother will you hear Her gospel. However this is furthest from the truth. When you read the lives of all the disciples and even the Master you will gain an unambiguous insight on how their lives were guided and blessed by the Mother. Her true nature was ultimately revealed by Sri Ramakrishna Himself when He performed the 'shodasi pooja' and worshipped Her as the Mother of the Universe itself.  Swami Nikhilananda intuitively once explained that as heat cannot be separated from fire and lustre from gems, the Brahman cannot be separated from Shakti. Hence, Mother is the power behind Master and Swamiji.


Being guilty myself of ignoring the literature of the Holy Mother in favour of Swamiji and Master, I was superlatively captivated by Her wisdom and teachings which appears as a calming and soothing balm from the burning miseries of this life. The Mother -unlettered- Herself spoke through Her inner awakening catalysed by the Master to give continuity to His mission after His departure.


A doubt or enquiry may arise as to why I continuously refer to the world as miserable and full of pain and suffering when on the contrary it reflects a materially well endowed civilisation... when compared to our ancestors 50 years back. Living on the lap of luxury, advanced science and much progress - where is there room for the misery?


When I glanced at the morning edition of the Daily News this week, it delivered another odious blow to a frustrated and vexed nation dealing with the ongoing power load shedding. Due to the shortage of adequate rainfall and the depleting dam levels, the authorities want to enforce shedding with water as well. On the very same page side-by-side, the article relates to gangs tormenting neighbourhoods with armed robberies... and if you continue to read the other supplements you will come across drug abuse, violence etc, etc........ In fact, finding positive and inspiring news to read has turned into a treasure hunt. So let’s just say my reference to misery is really an inference to the daily murk that hangs over the society as presented in the media. We seem to be caught in the vortex of despair, held frigid in fear we stand helplessly as the ground of hope and faith gives way under us.


But Mother  has assured us: "Don’t be afraid. Human birth is full of suffering and one has to endure everything patiently, taking the name of God. None, not even God in human form can escape the sufferings of the body and mind. Difficulties always come but they do not last forever. You will see they pass like water under a bridge."

Mother’s sagacious wisdom is not far-fetched fairytale false-hope counsel but stems from reality and grounds us with firm understanding that provides nutrition to deal with the situation rather than pretend it does not exist.  Holy Mother further said that one must experience the results of 'prarabdha karma' (karma from previous births which has begun to bear fruit in this life). No one can escape it. But japa or repetition of God’s name minimises its intensity. It’s like the case of a man who is destined to lose his leg, but suffers only from the prick of a thorn in his foot instead.


With such practical teachings and advice, it is no wonder that the Ramakrishna Mission and its work has grown to the state that it is today. Mother's life has taught us that  purity, compassion and boundless love are the necessary nutrients needed to fertilise the humanness that is stagnant within us. Her teachings free us from the shackles of our own minds. Her remedy to all ailments in this age is to not find fault in others. She said: "If you want peace of mind, do not find fault with others, rather see your own faults. Learn to make the whole world your own. No one is a stranger my child the whole world is your own."


In all the challenges we face in the world, let’s not find fault in others.Let us go about life with the understanding that we are all one. Instead of getting agitated and pointing fingers at others let us find our own weaknesses and rectify them. Let us build the strength to make positive contributions in finding solutions and always immersing ourselves in God's name. Through devotion and surrender to God, we shall tap into peace and joy.


In these trying times we have the comforting embrace of a Mother. Let us embrace Her and ask Her to take away our troubles. She comes to you in the form of your personal deity. Cling to Her affectionately. Let's live by Her assuring words: "Don’t be afraid... always remember that somebody is protecting you... you always have a Mother".


Jai Ambe Mata ki Jai!!!!!!

Have a safe and blessed festive season. Thank You for your support of the blog in 2014 and for your encouraging feedback.

May Mother bless us all always.

With love and prayers
Yogan
www.sudarshsnavidya.blogspot.com

Diabetic Diaspora!!!!

image-Google Images

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||



After satsang, it was indeed a blessed opportunity to travel with Swami Vimokshananda to Rudi's home. What a wonderful reception awaited us as there, where about 40-plus friends and relatives teeming with abounding joy and love, garlanded Maharaj and His entourage with their divine and humble glances.  It was not unusual that the gathered devotees sat entranced by the charming words of Maharaj which have the skill to tame the restless mind and place it in the realms of God intoxication. Being sent to this realm once again, I showed much appreciation for the great heritage and culture that is bequeathed unto us. Listening to the narratives and wonderful incidents in the lives of the great Saints and Sages and also the leela’s played by the divine in rewarding devotion of the bhaktas... underpinned the rich and noble guidelines given by our scriptures in engineering a just and moral society.



As Hindus, we used to proudly proclaim that for the 12 months of the year there are 13 festivals. The aim of these activities is to ensure that we are never found wanting in respect of orienting our mind towards the divine. We find that this idea has spilled over into our organisations as well as being used as an instrument to create awareness and educate society of major ills. On this last day of November, I recall how throughout the month we were bombarded through the various media platforms about the effects of diabetes. A recent study announced that 382 million people in the world suffer from diabetes. It is a disease that results in high blood-sugar levels and is categorised into type 1 when the body does not produce insulin to reduce the levels or type 2 when there is not enough insulin produced or the cells of the body do not react to the insulin. For some afflicted with the disease, they are lucky that it is lifestyle-related and with a few adjustments to diet and habits... it can be easily controlled. Unfortunately for others, the disease has managed to map itself into their genetic blueprint and therefore have to chronically intervene to maintain healthy blood-sugar levels.



It has become necessary today to deploy many resources in creating awareness about child and women abuse (we are currently observing the 16 Days of Activism of no violence against Women and Children Campaign) and many other such ills in society simply because these adharmic tendencies have become a norm and have progressed exponentially. The city of Durban is still gripped by the repugnant abuse of a 2 year child who was laid to rest this week. These are only a few cases that make it to the public eye; yet there are thousands of unreported cases of abuse, rape and molestation that fester at the base of society. The sad statistic is the amount of Indian families that are now by case-loads at the various intervention centres that deal with abuse, family violence and molestation. You may immediately respond by asking why I am alarmed that Indians are part of the statistics. Well my discomfort purely stems from the deviation of the diaspora.... a civilisation that was once couched within the highest values and moral framework today suffers from type 1 adharmic diabetes.



The rising levels of immorality, lust, greed and diabolic tendencies has rendered the insulin of goodness and nobility useless against a mind and nervous system fraught with need to instantly gratify the senses against the inner voice of reason and discrimination. This lifestyle disease contracted through contact with western ideals and a lack of character development from an early age has led our society to the point we are at now.  The golden question is: where to from here? The diagnosis being made is only creates awareness... an intervention is required to manage and resolve the situation. It seems to be a human habit or tendency to react at the very last moment when the situation is beyond a form of repair rather than being proactive and ensuring that normalcy is restored earlier.



If our own mind and intelligence is not in a position to neutralise the rising levels of adharma within us... that like the medical diabetes the insulin has to be introduced from the outside. Swami Vishwatmananda the new President of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa during our tea satsang two weeks ago made a very interesting statement. Maharaj said... in this age you must have 'sadhu sangh'... even we need sadhu sangh. If we take this literally then it would mean that we must be in the holy company of a monk at all times so that our mind becomes disciplined in to the dharmic path. However that cannot be the cogent analysis as it would imply that if there is no monk or Swami it would be difficult to follow the right path.



I unpacked the meaning of the word sadhu to mean good, excellent and right - all collective words used to also refer to a person who has renounced and dedicated his life to dharma. Hence for me sadhu sangh means to keep the company of right and good which does not necessarily refer to a person. It can be a scripture, a system of values, an inspirational role model etc. We must vaccinate our minds and intellect with man-making ideas and throw away all that weakens us is the clarion call from Swami Vivekananda. What we need in these trying times is strength and strength alone to crush and make these ignoble waves recede to oblivion.



The moment we accept that the state of our society is due to our neglect... and place before every impressionable mind the knowledge of his potential divinity and true nature; we would have started a rejuvenation and healing process of the mind afflicted by the disease of weakness for so long.

Swami Vivekananda always reminded us that: "strength is life; weakness is death". Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery: weakness is death.

It is weakness, says the Vedanta, which is the cause of all misery in this world. Weakness is the one cause of suffering. We become miserable because we are weak. We lie, steal, kill and commit other crimes... because we are weak. We die because we are weak. Where there is nothing to weaken us, there is no death nor sorrow. We are miserable through delusion. Give up the delusion and the whole thing vanishes.

Like how diabetes in the worst case can be managed or in other cases be reversed with lifestyle changes, so too can the diabetes of adharma be managed and reversed.  Everything lies in your hands.



May we grow and develop into a just, moral and spiritual society and world... is my sincere prayer.

Affectionately yours
Yogan
www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

GPS (God Postioning System) where are we?????

early Indians in cane field
image- google images

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

In the very last public function in Tongaat by Swami Vimokshananda at the Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple, Maharaj addressed the gathering on the importance of respecting our forefathers and ancestors for their immense sacrifices for the benefit of society. On this day 154 years ago we remember and salute those pioneers who ventured into a foreign land on the promised hope of prosperity and a better life. At that time in British India, the population suffered a similar fate of the indigenous peoples of South Africa. It was the refusal of the African people in South Africa to provide labour under slave conditions to enrich the colonial masters that led the British government to seek assistance from their other colonies. Living under severe oppression, it was easy to lure the Indians under false pretences of gold and prosperity to the shores of Africa only to suffer under similar circumstances of bondage and oppression.


However, it was their absolute faith in God and the communal support structure within which they lived that allowed them to persevere and develop conditions for their expansion and growth. Their understanding that by sharing they will grow led the way for educational, cultural and spiritual centres of excellence to be developed through the collection of resources amongst themselves despite their meagre earnings. Today, as thousands of people graduate and benefit from these institutes... we cannot but be in reverence of these great souls who had a profound vision to invest in a better future. By total coincidence, a few of us gathered yesterday for breakfast after a meeting and were discussing the days of yore when so much of love and affection was prevalent within our community. There was a practice that anybody who visited a home was not allowed to leave without partaking of a meal even if the host had not prepared enough for themselves. That was the incredibly rich culture that we stemmed from. Completely out of phase of that custom... today we find a society fractured and disintegrating at an alarming pace. Family feuds, abandoned parents and animosity amongst neighbours have all seemed to displace the sense of harmony and unity that once blanketed our community. For those of us who have experienced a bit of the yesteryears, it plagues our mind as to what went wrong.


Its seems that Revered Swami Vishwatmananda Maharaj - the new president of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa upon His arrival itself has grasped an understanding of the situation. A beautiful introduction was given last week when Swami Vimokshananda narrated an in depth bio-data of the new President in His blog (www.vimokshananda.com).


Last night, I was blessed to have an intimate tea satsang with both Swamijis.  In a few words, President Maharaj was able to answer many doubts and concerns regarding the state of our society. Maharaj said today we have a situation where wealth, education and the standards of living are growing exponentially but sadly there is also a conversely proportional deterioration of values, morals and ethics.  The malaise that we find ourselves in is due to the neglect of complementing man- making, character-building education with our secular education system. Swami Vivekananda after His careful analysis of the western world was able to deduce that this critical component was integral in fundamentally developing an ideal society.


The science of navigation was utilised by our  Vedic scholars since ancient times. They utilised the constellations and the heavens as a basis to plot their way. As time progressed, the science got more and more advanced. Our forefathers who came to our shores probably used a compass to direct them. Today navigation has evolved to such as extent that we now utilise a system of satellites to collectively give us GPS (global positioning system). Every point on the globe is addressed by a longitude and latitude co-ordinate or in simpler terms a horizontal and vertical position. By merely keying in these two positions into a GPS navigator, one will be directed to that point with little effort.


Swami Vishwatmananda seemed very vocal about man’s obsession with material advancement at the expense of spiritual development. In a very pragmatic tone, Maharaj disclosed that both must be done concurrently. The horizontal expansion (which is material progress) must take place together with the vertical expansion(spiritual progress).Imagine if you were to only key in the horizontal co-ordinates into a GPS system...  you will definitely be going nowhere slowly. That is the situation that humanity is in currently.  In the spiritual path, the GPS is the GOD positioning system.  Mankind must now start to lock onto finding the vertical position. Where the horizontal and vertical lines meet in perfect balance and harmony, we would have found the God position. When Swami Vivekananda speaks of the potential divinity of man, He speaks of the fact that in theory we know that we are divine, but we have not found the experience. It’s like we know there's a country called Finland, but until we plot the co-ordinates on a map, we will only know of it but will never experience it.


Maharaj in a sinuous way brought the discussion to completion by elaborating on ways to develop the vertical through the practice of selfless service, devotion to God, regular spiritual practices and by studying the scriptures. If we can approach these paths with sincerity then we will genuinely experience the divinity within... and once we have achieved this, then the process of transforming our society would have started involuntarily.


Today, as we remember with fondness our forefathers who crossed the treacherous seas and toiled for our success, let us commit to make their legacy proud by finding the God position and live the ideal way in a society they would have wanted... full of peace, love, compassion and empathy.


Jai Shree Guru Maharaj ki Jai!!!!!


With love and prayers always


Yogan
www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

Blessed Birthday

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

Master Sri Ramakrishna - Glen Anil Ashram altar
Pic Courtesy: Swami Vimokshananda Google+

We say that 'age is but a number'... it is a technique that we have devised to psychologically convince ourselves that we have not aged. To a certain extent, it can be argued that you are as young as you feel but there is no denying that every second that passes brings with it a confirmation that the manifested body is another second closer to its end. I am not a sadist but this thought dawned upon me whilst I spent some solitude hours at the Ramakrishna Ashram on the eve of my birthday. I started a little tradition a few years back... to usher in my birthday in the holy company of Swami Vimokshananda within the divine precincts of the Ashram. Last year, Swamiji's (Vimokshananda) post-operative recovery did not facilitate a sleep-over but Maharaj -so full of compassion and love- allowed me to visit Him on my birthday, just a week and a half of being released from hospital. 

My sincere prayers to Master were answered this year when I wrote to Swamiji making an impassionate plea to celebrate this special birthday with Swamiji. It was not special in the fact of it being my birthday but for the reason that it would be the last birthday that I would spend in the company of revered Maharaj as He would be going to Singapore in a few weeks. Every birthday was like an Upanishad. At the feet of the Master, a spark of wisdom would emerge that would burn asunder the overgrowth of ignorance and other characteristics that thwarted the spiritual revolution within. It was a delight... and this year was no different. We often read with awe and with a tinge of envy of how some devotees in the era of great saints were able to be in their presence and offer service to them. Our Swamis have told us that in these contemporary times where we are not in the physical presence of our Gurus, following their spiritual instructions is in itself service to them. I have understood that quite profoundly but my mind still hankered upon the idea to serve the Guru in a more palpable manner.

Although my Gurudev is some 7000 kilometers away in Kolkata, India... Sri Ramakrishna understanding my desire allowed this to be fulfilled through Swami Vimokshananda. The two days prior to my birthday Maharaj graciously allowed me to be His sarathi (charioteer). On Saturday we left Ashram by 06:00am itself to be at the Brake Village Soobramanier Alayam in Tongaat to witness the abhishegam of Lord Murugan during the auspicious period of Skanda Sashti. Here Maharaj spoke on the glory of Lord Muruga. The next day after the final Kurral class, all the devotees gathered at Uncle Preggie's house for a special satsang and lunch. To date, some devotees are still bathing in the divine energy that flowed in the company of Swamiji.

It was after lunch that an ordinary birthday became extra-ordinary. The devotees had arranged surprise birthday cake. I was overwhelmed with joy but became emotional when Maharaj Himself became the director of programmes. It was the first birthday celebrated in a spiritual way.  That evening after an hour or so of rest, we proceeded to Nirisksha's home for a little prayer service. After some spiritual discussions, the family members sang the most melodious bhajans in praise of the divine. The air was divinely charged with the purity and sincerity that emanated from the entire family. It was such an auspicious way to end the eve of my birthday.

Reclining on my bed in the late hours of the night, the day passed by in reflection and left a sweet taste in my mind. But that was soon displaced by some serious contemplation when a little broader introspection involved the past 38 years of life. In as much as we cannot even be compared to the dust of Swami Vivekananda’s feet, I began to appreciate the magnanimous contributions that He made to the whole of humanity in just the 39 years that He lived upon the earth. Although Swamiji endowed with such intellect could easily have used His qualifications to pursue a comfortable material existence, He sacrificed all comforts and dedicated His life to the worship of His Lord who He saw manifest in the suffering masses of Hiscountry.  He suffered the pangs of hunger and pains of the body through His travels of India, and even in the comfort of America... His heart and eyes welled with tears for His suffering brethren. Such empathy is unparallelled... and yet to seen.

It troubles me to think how so many young people well endowed with resources and education cannot think of anything but themselves... leave alone extending financial assistance in charitable projects;  they cannot even give a few hours of their time in raising the living conditions of their fellow mankind. So having reached this milestone age of 39, I am deeply inspired by the life of Swami Vivekananda. It is humanly impossible to come close to even to a tenth of Swami Vivekananda’s achievements but if I can at least help another understand their potential divinity... I would have set in motion a machinery that will exponentially deliver goodness to the world. 

Speaking at the Brake Village Temple, Maharaj expounded Lord Muruga as 'guha' which means the 'one who dwells in the cave of the heart'... allowing me to be His charioteer Maharaj implied that the Lord dwells in my heart and is the charioteer of my destiny. Victory will come if I expose and express this divinity and let it do its job.

I also take this opportunity to thank everybody for their love, prayers and good wishes in making my birthday a memorable one. May Master, Mother and Swamiji bless you always.

With love and prayers

Yogan

Rama Rajya

Lord Rama
image-google images

||Aum Shree Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

In the South African context, Diwali has come and gone like the morning dew. The play-out of traditions and rituals brought much jubilation and inspiration to many homes. The festivities had unleashed much love and compassion in the community with sharing and charitable drives ensuring that the Diwali cheer is spread magnanimously within all corners of society. If one was to step aside from all the revelry for a moment and take a bird’s-eye-view, we will see that we are finding great difficulty in internalising the central messages and themes of these external expressions of divinity. Swami Vimokshananda pointed out so succinctly and eruditely in His blog that amidst all the good that is going on, side by side there is also an increase in unrighteousness. Therefore these festivals help us to bring some sanity to the mind and guide us to develop a just community.

If I were to venture into the arena of real estate development especially during these highly competitive times, it would prudent to outlay an invincible strategy and concept. Consider an estate where the trees were bearing flowers and fruits regularly without injury from pests and insects... the clouds were raining in time and the winds were delightful to the touch… the community will consist of various classes of society all performing their own duties in peace and bereft of greed and all endowed with excellent character… a place free from illness and misery and grief, no widows to lament or  danger from wild animals. There will be huge lakes teeming with fish and fauna housing exotic singing birds and the estate completely devoid of thieves and robberies… no one feeling worthless and where everyone felt safe. Can you believe that such an estate can exist in this world, an ideal society without crime and war, full of auspiciousness, peace, justice and equality to all? I am certain beyond any doubt that my estate will be sold out within minutes of being launched. But as you reign in your horses of imagination, don’t dismiss the above as a fairy tale. The description above was taken from the Ramayana describing the period of Lord Rama’s rule of Ayodhya.

I never for once believed that Deepavali was about an event but was about an ideal that would help shape and guide humanity. Hindu Dharma is about creating conducive environments and mind-sets to derive joy and peace in all that we do. In the midst of searching for this message, my thoughts reflected upon a service delivery protest that swept through the town of Tongaat last week. It was about 5am when the tranquillity of dawn was disrupted by loud chanting and singing by hundreds of protestors that took the streets to demand better living conditions and safe electricity. This mass action was sparked by the death of 3 young dwellers from an informal settlement. They were electrocuted when one of them stepped upon the naked wires used to bring illegal electricity to the settlement. The other two were subsequently electrocuted when they went to save their friend. The aftermath of the deluge was an eyesore with the destruction and mayhem to private and municipal property leaving much of the town stranded without power and access due to blocked roads.

A strike in contrast to the burning tree trunks and tyres at various junctions was the beautifully organised and decorated altar of the Chatsworth sub-centre of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa where rows of neatly arranged lamps had a halcyon effect on the troubled mind. By the grace of Sri Ramakrishna… on the eve of Diwali I was invited to address the congregation and recipients of grocery hampers about the significance of Diwali. My heart welled with joy to see the unselfish and silent manner with which the devotees of the Centre served those who were in need of assistance. Deepavali is derived from two words: deepa and avali. Deepa means light and avali means row. This artful arrangement of lights signifies an equal, just and prosperous society to me. I draw this conclusion from the penetrating insight of Swami Vivekananda when He said that “there is no liberation for the self until every soul is liberated”. Many people work tirelessly and make many sacrifices to live comfortably and enjoy many of the luxuries that life has to offer. The problem is that the structure of a society does not allow one to sit back and enjoy his rewards alone. The case presented above clearly indicated how an entire town suffered the consequences of a group who felt marginalised and neglected.

Therefore it stands to reason that the wise counsel of our dharma to engage in activities of seva or karma yoga, inevitably benefits those who undertake this great work. The brilliance of a row of lamps is the collective illumination of all lamps burning with radiance and vigour. Therefore when one invests his time and resources in uplifting another person in the society, he is investing in creating a model and noble society. Rama Rajya is possible when we can reflect and internalise this message of sharing and caring. Using our lamp to ignite the lamp of others will eventually lead to an array of lamps. This will develop a prosperous and just society that is underpinned on great values and free from the darkness of ignorance.

Diwali should not be an annual event in our lives but must become that instrument to guide us to social cohesion and nation building to ensure that our liberation is not post mortem but can be experienced and enjoyed right here in the now. Today many of our Murugan devotees have also begun their Skanda Shasti observance. May this also be internalised to help your spiritual evolution.

 

Dear Lord kindly lead us from untruth to truth

From Darkness to light

From death to immortality

 

 

With love always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com