Vedanta Center of Atlanta: September events
Vedanta Center of Atlanta
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:
September 6th @ 11am
“Say Thou – Thee – Thine.”
w/Br. Shankara
In a recent conversation, Swami Sridharanandaji* said, “‘I am’ is a distorted, mutilated reflection of the truth that ‘He Is.’ We have only to cleanse the reflecting medium — the mind — to see this truth ….”
What does the Swami mean by “He?” In Chapter 13 of Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna, “He (the supreme Brahman) is within and without; He lives in the live and the lifeless … Undivided, He seems to divide into objects and creatures; sending creation forth from Himself, He upholds and withdraws it … The supreme Brahman in this body is also known as the Witness. It makes all our actions possible, and, as it were, sanctions them, experiencing all our experiences. It is the infinite Being, the supreme Atman …”
On Sunday morning, Br. Shankara will discuss what the Swami and Sri Krishna said. Then, together, we’ll explore what happens when, as part of your spiritual practice, you deliberately and consistently replace the words “I – Me – Mine” with “Thou – Thee – Thine.”
*Swami Sridharananda now heads the Ramakrishna Mission’s work in Australia and New Zealand. Previously he served as Head of the Sri Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
THIS Saturday, Sept. 12th, is Seva Saturday!
"Many Hands Make Light Work!"
Come spend a few hours with fellow devotees and friends on Saturday, September 12th, as we all work together to make our Center sparkle and shine!
There will be a detailed list of things to do… so you can pick what suits you!
A yummy lunch will be provided… drink, chips, and a sandwich or salad made to order from RolyPoly. Free food, free fun, priceless fellowship and invaluable seva service to your Center… all at the same time. Can’t beat that with a stick!
If you can’t be with us the entire time, please come and stay as long as you are able. See you on Saturday!
Please note the 11AM Saturday Morning Class is suspended this Saturday so that members can participate in Seva Saturday.
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This month we focus on Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion. Through prayer, ritual, worship, and self-surrender, you can develop a relationship with God that is the central focus of your life. Your spiritual practice may result in an intense mutual attraction and devotion that becomes a conscious union with the Divine. Great spiritual teachers who taught the bhakti path include Sri Krishna, the sages Narada and Patanjali, Sri Chaitanya, and Sri Ramakrishna.September 13th @ 11am
“Let’s Weep Jugs of Tears!”
w/Br. Shankara
ABOUT THE PHRASE “JUGS OF TEARS:” Mahendranath Gupta (known as M.) was the recorder and writer of the “Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.” He visited the Master frequently from March of 1882 until Sri Ramakrishna’s death on August 15, 1886, keeping a meticulous record of what he heard and saw.
Very early in his relationship with M., Sri Ramakrishna said to him:
“Cry to the Lord with an intensely yearning heart and you will certainly see Him. People shed a whole jug of tears for wife and children. They swim in tears for money. But who weeps for God?”
M., who had just begun his discipleship with the Master, quickly learned Sri Ramakrishna’s three most fundamental lessons:
- God alone is Real, and the purpose of human life is to find that Reality — to “realize” God.
- You can see and talk with God, if that is your sincere and persistent desire.
- All other aspects and concerns of life must become secondary, if life’s purpose is to be fulfilled.
On Sunday morning Br. Shankara will discuss these lessons, and how to make them a part of your life — in Sri Ramakrishna’s words, “assimilate them.”
Note: 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!
September 20th @ 11am
“Breathing Light”
w/Julie Hliboki
Julie Hliboki, DMin, MA, will speak on her book "Breathing Light.”Julie is passionate about fostering engaged compassion. She writes books and articles on this topic, and creates and facilitates innovative, inviting programs that inspire deep engagement. In the role of a Quaker interfaith chaplain, Julie accompanies people into the richness of life and death. She invites cultivating the sacred, compassionate moments that remind us of our true nature.
Breathing Light is written for everyone who has experienced loss or grief. The book takes you on an inspirational journey, beginning with Julie’s poems and prose that convey how love, gratitude, and compassion arise over and over again in the midst of suffering.
September 27th @ 11am
“Bhakti: The Spiritual Practice of Devotion”
w/Swami Bodhananda
Swami Bodhananda Saraswati is Founder and Head of the Sambodh Society, Inc., located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Swarna Shah, one of the founding members of our Center and a student of Swami Bodhananda, sent us this note about him: “The Swami is a gifted teacher and engaging speaker with a great sense of humor and a keen sense of observation. He is able to translate the ancient wisdom of India for the needs and interests of the modern individual and our changing society. A master of Vedanta and meditation, Swamiji blends his personal experience and knowledge of India’s ancient wisdom tradition with modern studies in consciousness and psychology. He exemplifies the highest Vedantic ideals — outwardly active in the world, while remaining inwardly detached.”
