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Germany youth retreat
From youth retreat conducted in Germanyby Bri.Dipamrita Chaitanya & Shubamrita Chiatanya – July 2007 Amma’s Youth in Europe are moving ahead, under Her Love and guidance. The third Youth Exchange Programme held at the M.A. Center, Germany was a phenomenal success in which the youth from different parts of Europe participated. This year this programme was supported by the “Youth in Action” Program of the European Commission DG Education and Culture. The exchange aimed at bridging the gap of culture, social background, language and creed and at highlighting and practicing the universal values which are the foundation not only of…
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Knower and the Known
Today, Swami discussed the ending part of Shankaracharya’s commentary of the 13th chapter, 2nd shloka. This was the sixth class on this shloka so far, and we reached near the end of the commentary. As said before, this part is one of the most important parts of the Shankara Bhashya of the Gita. The shoka is ‘Know Me to be the knower in all fields. That knowledge of the field and the knower is what I consider true knowledge.’ Again, the Purva Paksha asks, ‘if God Himself is the individual soul, (kshetrajna), then that gives two defects; one is that…
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Listening to a mad man
Today, Swami Kaivalyananda continued with the discussion of the 2nd shloka, 13th chapter; ‘Know Me to be the Knower in all fields; the knowledge of the field and its knower is what I consider true knowledge.’ Here, the issue being debated is that if the Lord says that it is He alone that is the individual soul, or jiva, then this creates two defect; one is that God Himself is subject to the samsara, the travel through birth and deaths. If that is not so, then this means that there is no such thing as samsara, which is contrary to…
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no language for love
Today we got a chance to see Amma’s Devi Bhava satsang and talk with Amma before She came out in Devi Bhava. For this time, there was no video, only audio. Once we heard Amma’s voice, everybody yelled ‘Amma!’ Then there not much sound from Amma for a while. Some brahmacharinis said, ‘Amma, why don’t you say anything?!’ After this repeated, Amma enquired about everybody’s health, and asked if anyone was ill.Again, a long silence. Then one devotee who was linked from Germany told Amma that there are many devotees from European countries wanting to talk to Amma. Then he…
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Ignorance doesn’t affect
Today, Swami Kaivalyananda discussed further parts of Shankara’s commentary of the 13th chapter, 2nd shloka. This part is a very significant, and long part of Shankara’s commentary. The discussion continues, as the Purva Paksha (opposition) asks if the scriptures are meaningless because of the unreality of bondage and moksha. To this Shankara says that the scriptures are not meaningful for a Jnani, one who has realized the Self. However, in the case of an Ajnani, the scriptures, which contains ordinances and prohibitions, are meaningful. This is because the Jnani sees karma and its fruits as separate from his Self, while…
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Grand Finale
Mata Rani Grand Finale – (finally!) Toronto Tonight was the second night of the Toronto Retreat – the last stop on the North American Tour. It would be the last chance for us to hear Amma sing Mata Rani – if the Divine Mother’s Grace and Will wished it. And so as the darshan line was ending, around 2:30am, it was on everyone’s mind: “Would Amma sing Mata Rani? Would the East Coast get a chance to sing in bliss with our Beloved Amma as She did in Seattle and San Ramon?” Our hopes rose up, and so did our…
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3 ignorance
Swami discussed more from the 13th chapter, 2nd shloka. This part has an extensive commentary by Sri Shankaracharya. The shloka is; ‘know Me to be the knower in all fields, Arjuna! That knowledge which is of the field and the knower of the field I consider true knowledge.’ Here, the purva paksha asks, ‘so is there ‘samsaritvam’ (subjection to samsara) for the jiva (the knower of the field)?’ Shankara replies, ‘no. This is because the nature of Avidya, or ignorance, is of tamas, darkness. Because of that Avidya, comes the three-fold defects of ignorance, wrong perception, and doubts. When the…
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Crow parables
This is a true story with the dimensions of a parable. Most of us here about are familiar with the nuisance of birds at the big eating-place in the Ashram. The most menacing are the crows. Especially for the girl-students whose Mess is an enclosure. Remember the green screens? Yes, they are kept all around as barricades, for demarcation. One thing, it causes suffocation; but it kept the mess of devotees and visitors -Indian and Western – from walking in & out. But what an appropriate perching lot (like parking lot) did they make for the crows to sit on…
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advice to the Guru
Today, Swami Kaivalyanandaji continued with the commentary of the 13th chapter, 3rd verse. ‘Kshetrajnam api mam vidhi, sarvakshetresu bharata’ – ‘Know Me to be the Knower in all fields, Arjuna!’ Here, there is another interesting discussion between Shankara’s ‘Siddhanti’ and the opposing ‘Purva Paksha.’ Previously, we mentioned that Shankara compared the ignorance of the jiva to confusing a pillar for a man. This is similar to confusing the Atman for the body, mind, and senses. Here, the ‘purva paksha’ says; ‘yes, I agree that one can confuse a pillar for a man, because both of these objects are separate from…
