Hari Om! Below is a list of all Reflection Adventure of the Week (RAW) for the 2022-2023 Vedanta in Bhagavata Class.
- Week of May 14th, 2023 (Reflection Adventure of the Month (RAM))
On May 18th, registration for Living the Gita will commence. Please register for this study group on How to Live the Gita. Vivekji will present half and half you will complete independently.
We started the 11th section on March 6, 2022. Today is May 7th, 2023. We have been studying this section for more than 12 months. What is the deepest change you have made in your personality?
Make a farewell gift for Bhagavan Shri Krishna.
There is ‘I’ (clarity) and ‘I am’ (mixed). This week try to stay in the ‘I’ as much as you can. Try to delete the ‘am’ part. Just be ‘I’.
Refresh all of the icons in your living space. Wipe them, put lights on them and those you no longer need, remove them.
In the last 5 chapters until Bhagavan Sri Krshna is no longer with us, if there is anything that you would like to ask of Bhagavan Sri Krshna, what will you ask Him?
Try to only eat sattvic food (that which is easily and naturally obtainable)
Out of the 16 verses in Bhikshu Gita which one is yours? Which one is going to move you the most?
Which way are you caring for the next generation?
Practice what you came up with the discussion subject (how to practice giving up moodiness)
Research the questions and answers from chapter 19, verses 28 – 44
Each week, choose one indulgence of yours and become disinterested in it.
- Week of January 29th, 2023
chart out physically, not digitally, the ten directions on how to nurture sattva. The more we see it, the more we will think about it.
- Week of January 22nd, 2023
Change our relationships/friends circle to be more sattvic.
- Week of January 15th, 2023
What do you think the Guru’s mantra is, that Bhagavan Krishna is going to share with Rishi Uddhava. Come up with an original Mantra that has made you more virtuous.
- Week of December 18th, 2022 (Reflection Adventure of the Month (RAM))
Have a sticker, icon or image of Bhagavan near each of your timekeeping devices. This will allow time to be meaningful.
- Week of December 11th, 2022
Practice the 4 subjects covered in class, i.e. to Unitask, Utilise, Release and Model.
- Week of December 4th, 2022
Practice the 3 subjects covered in class, i.e. to Associate, Simplify and Seclude.
- Week of November 20th and 27th, 2022
Come up with the 6 verbs/practices for the 6 teachers covered in class:
- Earth – to forgive
- Air – to purify
- Fire – to absorb
- Water – to refresh
- Space – to accept
- Moon – to observe
- Sun – to share
- Dove – to serve
- Python to quieten
- Ocean – to deepen
- The Moth – to ……
- The Honeybee – to ……
- The Elephant – to ……
- The Honey Gatherer – to …..
- The Deer – to …..
- The Fish – to …..
Week of November 6th and 13th, 2022
The ten teachings thus far are to – forgive, purify, absorb, refresh, accept, observe, share, serve, quieten and deepen. Our perpetual RAW is to practice these teachings, this week’s focus being – to serve, quieten and deepen.
- Week of October 30th, 2022
The eight teachings thus far are – forgive, purify, absorb, refresh, accept, observe, share, and serve. Our perpetual RAW is to practice these teachings, this week’s focus being – to serve.
- Week of October 23rd, 2022
Follow your own advice.
- Week of October 16th, 2022
What are the 3 world events in 2022 that have become your teacher?
- Week of October 9th, 2022
Everytime you feel stress, anxiety and dejection, remember the 4 teachings, i) Infinity is real; ii) Illusion is unreal; iii) Creation is relative and iv) Extraction is release.
- Week of September 25th and October 2nd, 2022
Celebrate Navratri in a meaningful way by giving to the World WildLife Fund (WWF) to help support our Mother Earth. Please contribute to our current fundraising effort to protect elephants and tigers in India through the World Wildlife Fund.
- Week of September 18th, 2022
Join us for Chinmaya Niagara’s Open Home, where you will learn about our course offerings. Link to this Wednesday September 21, 2022 Open Home – https://lu.ma/openhome
- Week of September 11th, 2022
Reflect on the 7 saddest experiences of your life. Reflect on each one daily, but do not feel sad. Work hard and smart without feeling sad.
Share your reflections in the comments below.
RAW for Sep 10:
Write 5 utility points for being in this course.
The 5 utility points for me are:
1.Change my thoughts from GOD Fearing to GOD LOVING.
2.Understand the real purpose of this life.
3.Makes me Disciplined.
4.Can Feel the blessings of Bhagwan even in most difficult situation.
5.Contemplation makes me calmer and more thoughtful to face situation in life.
Humble Gratitude,
Brinda
i would like to give myself – the (me -ego) Self as my gift to Bhagavan. Working hard to ask for forgiveness and bring more Purity in myself to BE Bhagavan. OM Namo NArAyanAya!
Week of April 9th, 2023 -In the last 5 chapters until Bhagavan Sri Krshna is no longer with us, if there is anything that you would like to ask of Bhagavan Sri Krshna, what will you ask Him?
Week of April 9th, 2023-In the last 5 chapters until Bhagavan Sri Krshna is no longer with us, if there is anything that you would like to ask of Bhagavan Sri Krshna, what will you ask Him?
O Bhagavan Krishna, i know you’ll eventually make me come to You. But all i ask now is i am done with this samsara, i am ready to go away with You now and BE You! OM Namo NArayanAya!
Week of March 26th, 2023-Out of the 16 verses in Bhikshu Gita which one is yours? Which one is going to move you the most?
Verse 48. – All the other senses are affected by the mind – mind is NOT subject to the senses. This MIND is more powerful than any other center of power. One who conquers the mind is the true MASTER of all the senses. When mind is removed from the picture, the ATMAN – unaffected by ABCs is rediscovered.
Week of March 5th, 2023-Research the questions and answers from chapter 19, verses 28 – 44
There were 35 questions asked of Bhagavan Krishna by RSi Uddhava:
1.How many disciplines in Yama? (12 Internal disciplines🙂
1. Ahimsa- non-harming
2. Satyam- Unity in Diversity
3. Asteyam- non-covetousness(Contentment)
4. AsangaH- Non-dependence
5. Hri- Self-awareness
6. Astikyam- Faith in Map
7. asamSayaH- non-amassing(non-selfish)
8. Brahmacaryam- self-disciplined
9. Maunam- Moderation in speech
10. Stairyam- Consistancy
11. Kshama- Not being offended
12. Abhayam- Courageous
2.Disciplines in Niyama? (12 External)
1. Saucam- Purity of Body (physically)
2. Japa- Contemplation
3. Tapah- Austerity
4. Homah- Yagna
5. Sraddah- Sincere faith
6. Athithyam- Accomodating
7. Madarchanam- Worship of Divine
8. ThirthAtanam- Pilgrimage
9. ParArthaH- Serving others
10. TushtiH- Contentment
11. (Purity of mind)
12. AcArya sevanam-Service of Teacher
3.What is Sama? – Mind that rests in BhagavAn
4. What is Dama? – Control of senses
5. What is TitIkSa? – Endurance while performing one’s responsibilities
6. What is Dhriti? – Firmness shown in control of senses
7. What is Dana? – Param-DAnam is abandonment of tendency to non-harming of other living beings.
8. What is Tapas? – Being responsible in not letting sense organs become lusty
9. What is Sauryam?- Conquest of one’s animal tendencies – fighting and winning inner enemies
10. What is Satyam? – Seeing Unity in Diversity
11. What is Rtm? – Speech that is factual (true) and beneficial and sweet to hear.
12. What is TyAga? – Giving up all UNREAL that this ego thinks is REAL.
13. What is unstained wealth? – Wealth that is not amassed by demerited means and that which is used for needy (others)
14. What is Yagna? – It is not a mere ritual, Bhagavan Krishna is the real yagna. Surrendering all unto Him.
15. What is DakSina? – Not mere gifts of money but humble GRATITUDE to knowledge imparting GURU.
16. What is man’s strength? – In not letting the mind indulge and the head is where the hands are.
17. What is Bhaga? – One who participates in HIS BhagAs:
aiSwaryasya samagrasya vIryasya yaSasaH SrIyah
jnana vairAgyayOS caiva sannAm bhagam itInganA ||
Lordliness, Power, Fame, SrI, wisdom and non-attachment
18. What is profit? – non-attachment to ABCs but attachment of devotion to Bhagavan Krishna – all other gains are not eternal.
19. What is Supreme knowledge? – Vidya is the removal of Duality in Atman.
20. What is Hri? – Refraining from doing wrong (as what our MAPS say is not Dharma), not mere sense of shame.
21. What is SrI? – Desirelessness and austerity and addition of virtues.
22. What is true Happiness? – Balance in all situations, not attached to situations and being happy or sad.
23. What is suffering? – Being worldly and lusty in thoughts.
24. Who is a PanditA? – One who is a Srotriya and BrahmaniSta – who knows to discern between nitya- anitya vastu – not a mere scholar.
25. Who is a mUrka? – One who thinks he is the body.
26. What is Pantha? – Path that leads us to eternal JOY not worldly ends.
27. What is the perverse way? – An extroverted lifestyle.
28. What is Svarga? – The path of self-development not Indra’s place. Shudda Sattva.
29. What is Naraka? – Domination of Tamo-Guna, pulling us away from happiness.
30. Who is a relative? – A Guru who teaches us that all relations that come in my life are to make me realize that I should be detached.
31. What is home? – Kshetram is this body of mine given to house Kshetragnya.
32. Who is wealthy? – One rich in virtues.
33. Who is a pauper? – a discontented one, who is blessed.
34. Who is a pitiable creature? – one controlled by senses.
35. Who is Lord (true master)? – One free from bondage of Gunas and a slave is one bound by Gunas.
Each week, choose one indulgence of yours and become disinterested in it.
Practicing this RAW gave me more clarity on the indulgences I engage in. It also helped me magnify the excuses I make to justify these indulgences. I justify the desire to travel as my blueprint or vasana that I can exhaust. Yet I need to question that is it an indulgence or is it for my learning.
The same goes for watching the ever-tempting psychological thrillers on Brit Box.
I realize that I need to maintain a healthy relationship with everything around me. There are parameters I can use to limit such indulgences.
When I think deeper, I realize that whatever does not help me in my spiritual evolution or bring me closer to Him is an indulgence.
Need to work harder on this.
Bhagavan Krishna’s words to Rishi Uddhava: Surrender your entire being, body, mind and soul, to ME, the all-comprehending One, the Essence within all embodied beings. By that shall you be free from all fear through my grace.
Bhagavan Krishna waits for us to become His disciple, He waits for us to be quiet so He may speak. So my Mantra for myself that i think makes me feel lighter about this world and purer inside is:
“Just surrender unto Bhagavan with Humility!“
What do you think the Guru’s mantra is, that Bhagavan Krishna is going to share with Rishi Uddhava. Come up with an original Mantra that has made you more virtuous:
In the pure silence of absence
I see the Light of Your Presence
We are beings of Light, The Truth
woven by the very fabric called -You!
………….
I wrote this to remind myself -who I’m and who I’m not.
I write this to remind myself that He pervades each of us and to treat Life accordingly with respect and humility and Love
Week of December 18th, 2022 (Reflection Adventure of the Month (RAM))-
I have been practicing this for many months as Vivekji had recommended in another class. The first ‘form’ I see is the smiling face of Lord Shiva with Lord Ganesha in His lap. That’s the last face I see too.
It’s perfect reminder for –
Surrender and faith – He knows the best and however the day went was in accordance with His plan. I’m not the doer. I’m His instrument. It also helps me check if I did my best.
It also reminds me to use my time wisely. With my ‘time obsessive’ personality, though it tells me not to ‘waste’ time but also gives me freedom to not be bound by time on worldly matters. Any time spent in working for Him, remembering Him is time well spent .
I choose Him( as He has chosen all of us to come to Him)
November 20th and 27th, 2022 – Come up with the 6 verbs/practices for the 6 teachers covered in class:
Moth – not be lusty when I see an article
Honey Bee-with my family, at work need to observer myself when I expect
Elephant- touch could not come up with anything
Honey gatherers- To give more than last year
Deer-I should observe myself about what I am listening to
Fish- Not eat excessive food
Week of November 20th and 27th, 2022:
Lessons trying to learn-
Moth-Vision – use vision, more than just eye sight. Look deeper at every experience
Honey Bee- Study- Rather then losing oneself in technicality, study the deeper message of scriptures
Elephant- Discernment what to accept and what to reject
Honey gatherers- Generosity- Give
Deer-Listen ( not just hear)- avoid distractions
Fish- Discipline- treat food as nourisher.
Week of November 20th and 27th, 2022 – How does one nurture Vairagya (like the Pingala)?
Pingala, a dancing girl of Videha (same place as Bhagavathi Sita’s birthplace – no wonder the VairAgya) whose profession was to make a living out of men who paid for their pleasure with her. She must have been an evolved soul, as one day, she decked herself up and was restlessly waiting for a customer, pacing in and out of her house. None seemed to mind her presence.
This was the last straw, disgusted by her behavior, she suddenly had a piffany –
Week of November 20th and 27th, 2022
Come up with the 6 verbs/practices for the 6 teachers covered in class:
The Moth(sight) – to discern (be a viveki – Lifestyle sheath)
The Honeybee(smell) – to cull (be a learner – Breath sheath)
The Elephant(touch) – to respect (be mindful of touching anything from myself to outside – Body sheath)
The Honey Gatherer(speech) – to administer (be NOT a hoarder – Intellect sheath)
The Deer(sound) – to chant – (be cautious to what i listen – Mind sheath)
The Fish(taste) – to remember (be self-controlled and feed on thoughts of Narayana – Final hardest sheath to conquer to get to -> Bliss sheath)
A poem from the 10 Teachers learned so far:
Be like Ma Prithvi, ever ready to Serve
And yearn to be like the Moon, so you can Observe
Want to be like this vast Space, not affected but Absorbing
And train to be like Air, Pure and purifying
Always learn to be Accepting, to be like the Fire
And Listen Actively, to be like the Water
Never forgetting to Share, be like the Sun
To serve and Be Detached, learn from the Pigeon
To be in mind Quietened, be like a Python
Practice to be Deepened ever like the calm Ocean
Learn from these Preceptors, Geetha- to be cheerful and Even.
Week of October 23rd, 2022-Follow your own advice.
Everytime you feel stress, anxiety and dejection, remember the 4 teachings, i) Infinity is real; ii) Illusion is unreal; iii) Creation is relative and iv) Extraction is release-
10/16/22
Lately Bhagvan ji has given many opportunities to put this into practice.
My world has been spinning and slipping rapidly . It’s also trying to take me into its tornado like ‘busy-mess’.
Yet by taking shelter in Him, the stress, anxiety and dejection stayed away. Yes, with lots to take care of, at times I felt overwhelmed but a voice in my head chants Shivoham and nudges me – All is as All is.
Remembering the 4 teachings, was my guiding post on this path that’s sometimes twists and turns. All comes and all goes. It helped me look at bigger picture.
He who gives the challenges knows what He is doing.
He also gives me the strength
More importantly He is trying to train me.
Am I learning?
I’m trying my best to be a good student in the University of Life, only with His grace
Celebrate Navratri in a meaningful way by giving to the World WildLife Fund (WWF) to help support our Mother Earth. Please contribute to our current fundraising effort to protect elephants and tigers in India through the World Wildlife Fund.
Reflection-
We are grateful to get such opportunities to serve our fellow beings. Navratri has been more Nesbit to me now with the change in vision.
Generosity over garba !!
RAW for Week of September 18th, 2022-Join open home:
Reflection-
Joined the open home on Wednesday. Had spread the message , posted it in various groups too. Hundreds may have seen it but only one or two joined from those groups that day.
I tried not to be disappointed.
When one has found a treasure, one wants to share it with all! I feel that’s all we can do- be an ambassador of cheerful vedantic living but it appears many amongst us ( I was too) want to take the easy and common but winding roller coaster that’s never ending , to get to temporary happiness though Articles , beings and circumstance .
The Path to truth is quite clear and straight, yet it’s a road less travelled.
RAW for Week of September 11th, 2022-Reflect on the 7 saddest experiences of your life. Reflect on each one daily, but do not feel sad. Work hard and smart without feeling sad.
Day 1– Dad worked out of country and had to have many major surgeries related to gastroenteric issues – being 7-year-old and in a joint family with aunts, uncles and grandparents, these incidents created scary scars and saddened me as aunts would talk amongst themselves that Dad would not live longer.
Prayer was my only resort at that age as I was helpless.
Day 2 – When i couldn’t secure a medical college admission and I was on waiting list #22. i refused to go regular college, but luckily(?) got admission into an Engineering College, reluctantly joined and completed. Was very sad about this fact.
This admission being the reason i’m in satsang today as my friend who got married earlier, met my sis-in-law and was the cause of my marriage and hence this priceless opportunity to be with fellow seekers and Swamiji!
Day 3 – Grandfather’s death- was thinking a world of him, who wanted us to do well. His dead body was the first i witnessed in person and was deeply saddened by the fact that he would not be around – wondered if he’ll magically get up and say he played a trick. 🙁
Again, prayer and being close to grandmother helped.
Day 4 – Brother-in-law’s death in Arizona after my marriage. Second dead body in person. Saddened me as he was very young, and he left behind very young children.
I believed more and more in prayers after this incident. Then got involved more in Balavihar, Swamiji talks, teaching but still was not as strong.
Day 5 – Dad’s passing away.
Luckily, 2 months before this happened, Swami Ramakrishnanandaji came to Portland, and we had the wonderful opportunity of hosting him. This Sadguru gave me such a wonderful insight about life and birth and death, that i wished for Dad to pass away without much pain. Where did i get that much strength? I was even reciting chapter 8 every single day from the day swamiji left to the day Dad was taken to cremation chamber – wished the best for him, vowing to myself that i’ll make him feel proud of me.
Day 6, 7 – Ever since i joined the MM and other classes with swamiji, never felt deeply saddened by any other occurrences, although i always pray that all around me should be happy and i should only create happiness for others. Much gratitude swamiji!
I can see how attachment and ABCs caused me so much sadness. Hope reducing desires and constant remembrance of my Narayana will increase distance between ABCs and me and decrease distance between Bhagavan and me!