Vedanta Center of Atlanta: January events
Vedanta Center of Atlanta: January events
Time: There is silent meditation in the Chapel from 10:30-11am, before each Sunday’s talk. After the talk, devotees and friends meet in the Monastery from noon to 1:30pm, for tea, coffee, snacks and a continuation of our spiritual fellowship. Please join us! PS: Please be on time. The service starts promptly at 11AM.
Venue: 2331 Brockett Rd, Tucker, GA 30084
Contact: (770) 938-6673 ; http://vedantaatlanta.org, http://vedantaatlanta.org/calendar-of-activities-events/
See Calendar for details about any particular Sunday.
THERE WILL NOT BE A TALK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, However, that afternoon we will observe Kalpataru Day from 2:30-3:30pm in the Chapel, followed by snacks and fellowship in the Monastery from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
January 1, 2:30-3:30pm (Sunday)
Kalpataru Day
On New Year's day, we'll observe Kalpataru Day* from 2:30pm-3:30pm. Join us in the Chapel. Followed by snacks and fellowship in the Monastery, 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
*In the Ramakrishna Vivekananda tradition, Kalpataru Day is an extremely significant occasion. It was on this day (January 1st) in 1886 when Sri Ramakrishna revealed himself as ‘Kalpataru’ (the 'wish-fulfilling tree') and spiritually awakened a large number of devotees who were present at the Cossipore Garden House on that sacred day. This event is commemorated annually to invoke the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna and to pray for the spiritual awakening of the devotees.
January 3, 7-8pm (Tuesday)
Chanting of the Chandi
Rita Mathew will chant verses from the Chandi in Sanskrit to usher in the New Year.
Sat, January 7, 10am-2pm: Seva Saturday - Lunch provided… please join us!
Seva means serving in the fellowship of volunteers or Karma Yogis!
One Saturday per month, we invite you to join fellow devotees and friends who help revitalize the Vedanta Center and keep the premises beautiful.
To all karma yogis considering Seva Saturday:
Seva Saturday begins at 10am and goes until 2pm. We break for lunch for an hour at noon. If you are unable to join us for the full four hours, please come and spend as much time as you wish.
At 11:30 we start taking orders for lunch. At 11:45 a run is made to Subway to get made-to-your-order sandwiches, salads & chips. Lunch starts about noon, as soon as the food gets to the Center.
Please join us this Saturday as we all work together to make your Center sparkle and shine!
Sun, January 8 - “Good King Wenceslas” w/ Br. Shankara
You may not have enjoyed the whole of Christmas, Charles Dickens might have said, if you have not yet heard the tale of Good King Wenceslas. Well, if you’re in that deplorable condition, it can be remedied this coming Sunday morning. We will sing the saint’s Christmas Carol, and Br. Shankara will explore and discuss the song’s inner meanings. Rooted in Christian mystical traditions, the carol’s symbolism tells a story of a king who is both an humble servant of God in man and a master of spiritual power.
Sun, January 15 - Open Forum on Bhakti Yoga facilitated by Br. Shankara
January is a month for study of Bhakti Yoga. As a bhakti yogi (bhakta), you establish a devotional relationship with God through prayer, ritual, and worship. You practice giving every thought, emotion, perception and tendency “a Godward turn.” All of your energies and attributes, both positive and negative, are offered to the Divine Presence. Your prayer is for complete self-surrender, in ecstatic union with your Belovèd.
Sun, January 22 - No talk - VIVEKANANDA’S BIRTHDAY PUJA - Followed by potluck prasad lunch in the Monastery.
10:00am Shrine Prep, Chanting, Singing
11:00am Vivekananda's Birthday Puja
12:15pm Potluck Prasad Lunch
This Sunday we will celebrate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda with a 5-item puja worship, singing and chanting in the Chapel from 11am-12noon. Immediately followed by a potluck prasad lunch in the Fellowship Hall.
Please bring any food you wish offered during the worship to the Monastery Kitchen no later than 11am and please make sure it is ready to serve .. i.e., doesn’t need further preparation in any way. Thank you!!
Sunday, January 29
BRAHMANANDA’S BIRTHDAY PUJA - Followed by potluck prasad lunch in the Monastery.
10:00am Shrine Prep, Chanting, Singing
11:00am Brahmananda's Birthday Puja
12:15pm Potluck Prasad Lunch
We will celebrate Raja Maharaj’s birthday with a worship service on Sunday, January 29, starting at 11am. Br. Shankara will speak about the Swami for 20 minutes or so; this will be followed by a five-item puja.* After the devotee flower offering and some songs, we will adjourn to the monastery for a potluck prasad lunch.
* Please bring any food you wish offered during the worship to the Monastery Kitchen no later than 11am and please make sure it is ready to serve .. i.e., doesn’t need further preparation in any way. Thank you!!
Calcutta (Kolkata), India – January 1863 – Two boys are born nine days apart: Narendra Nath Dutta on January 12 and Rakhal Chandra Ghosh on January 21. Spiritual by nature from early childhood, by the time Naren and Rakhal were in their late teens they were at the heart of Sri Ramakrishna’s innermost circle of disciples.
When their Master left his body in 1886 they became monks. With their brother disciples they founded the Baranagore Monastery (Math), and what later became the Ramakrishna Order of India. For the next several years Naren and Rakhal — now Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda — led the life of wandering sadhus, gathering the fruits of spiritual discipline and austerity.
Swami Brahmananda was a natural leader — he became President of the Ramakrishna Order when Swami Vivekananda established Belur Math in 1897. During his tenure as President a new generation of young people gathered around him; many of them took monastic vows. The Order expanded as new branch centers were opened in India and abroad.
Those formative years brought out Brahmananda’s “kingly” qualities of loving administration. He gave great stability to the new order of monks. Vivekananda affectionately called him Raja (King) — since then he has been reverently referred to as ‘Raja Maharaj.’ He remained President until he gave up his body in April of 1922.
Sunday, February 5
10:30am Silent Meditation in the Chapel
11:00am Talk: Topic TBA
12:00pm Coffee, tea, snacks & fellowship
