Vedanta Center of Atlanta: March 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.
Dates:
3/1 - 11am-noon, Talk: “Seeking the Living Presence of God: The Story of My Spiritual Journey”: Rabbi Yoel Glick will talk about his spiritual journey and the vibrant encounter between Judaism and Hinduism which has become his life’s path and work.
Rabbi Yoel Glick
1-3pm, Talk & Workshop: “Building the Temple of the Heart: The Three Pillars of the Spiritual Life”: In the Hebrew Bible, God commands Israel: “Make me a sanctuary and I shall dwell in your midst.” The Baal Shem teaches that each of us is a living temple. The rabbis set out the three pillars of this inner Temple: Torah (study of spiritual wisdom), Avodah (Worship) and Gimilut Hasadim (Acts of Loving-kindness). These three pillars correspond to the three Yogas of Hinduism: Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Karma yoga. They can also be defined as the expansion of our consciousness, the constant remembrance of God, and the inner work of self-transformation. In this talk and experiential workshop, we will explore how to use these three paths to build a sacred space inside us where the Divine Presence dwells.
There is no cost for attending either program. You may download a flyer detailing other activities Rabbi Glick will be involved in during this Atlanta visit by clicking on this link: Rabbi Glick Program Limmud
3/8 - 11am-noon, Talk:
"Chaitanya’s Prayer: A Perfect Primer"
Chaitanya’s Prayer, as interpreted by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood, is recited here every morning at Arati. This is also done in the temples, convents and monasteries of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, at Vivekananda Retreat Ridgely, and at other Vedanta centers in the U.S.
This Prayer brings Bhakti Yoga — devotional spiritual practice — and its goal and results into sharp focus in about three minutes. A primer in the truest sense of the word, Its tone and language are intense; it also can be thought of as one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
The Prayer calls forth the heart’s bliss, instructs the mind in how to overcome obstacles, and, in the voice of the spiritually awakening heart and mind, speaks lovingly and directly to the Divine within.
Br. Shankara will discuss the Prayer in detail, including background on Sri Chaitanya himself and the high regard in which he was held by Sri Ramakrishna.
3/14: Saturday, March 14th, 2015
Swami Sarvadevananda, Head Minister of the Vedanta Society of Southern California and of our Center, will visit with us this weekend. He arrives on Saturday at about 1pm and will stay through Sunday evening. His schedule of activities follows. If you would like to make an appointment to see the swami while he’s here, please contact Br. Shankara at shankara@vedantaatlanta.org
7:15pm
Guest & Visitors' Retreat Residence Inauguration
Swami Sarvadevananda will lead a formal inauguration
of our new Retreat & Visitors Residence. A light supper will be served at 8:30pm —
we will dine in the Monastery’s Fellowship Hall.
3/15: Sunday, March 15th, 11am
Swami Sarvadevananda will speak on
"Yoga Vasistha Sara" (Advaita Vedanta)
3/22 - 11am, Annual members' meeting & luncheon
3/29 - 11am.
Br. Shankara will speak on
"The Raja Yoga of Rama's Teacher"
As a young prince of Ayodhya, Lord Rama made a tour of the kingdom he is to inherit. He returns utterly disillusioned, having seen samsara in all its many guises. His father, King Dasaratha, worries that Rama will renounce the world and seeks the advice of Sage Vasistha. The sage assures him that Rama’s dispassion (vairagya) is no cause for concern. It a sign the that Rama has begun to understand profound spiritual truths and is ready for spiritual enlightenment.
King Dasaratha summons Rama to his court, where the sage begins a discourse that continues for 21 days. His instruction and the answers to Rama’s questions are the scripture we know as Yoga Vasistha. The sage teaches the prince many spiritual truths, including: “That consciousness which is the witness of the rise and fall of all beings — know that to be the immortal state of supreme bliss.” Vasistha instructs Rama in meditation practices that allow the prince to reach that state of consciousness. Br. Shankara will discuss these practices on Sunday morning.
