…nline. In the present issue of AV, an article by Sister Gayatriprana draws comparisons between Swami Siddheswarananda’s thought and Integral Vedanta. It was voted to meet again in 2012, with the location to be decided. Some of us stayed on for a few more days of companionship and sightseeing in and around Santa Fe. We visited Ghost Ranch, where Georgia O’Keefe had painted her stunning images of the New Mexican landscape. Of special interest to us…
…se guardians denounced the Ramakrishna Order swamis as “scavenger swamis”, comparing them to the despised outcastes to whom the most unsanitary and menial tasks had been assigned for millennia, along with a subordinate rank that can only be compared with the lot of African and Native Americans at certain stages of American history. d. Vijnana, Consciousness that Embraces the Totality of Existence But, though all of this seems “original” and “new”…
…a tangible form Which is the embodiment of Spirit: At the sight of that incomparable beauty of God’s form, One becomes intoxicated and rushes forth to touch and embrace it. If the devotee but once feels this attachment and ecstatic love for God. . . Then he sees God in both his aspects, with form and without form. SISTER GAYATRIPRANA is a writer on Vivekananda Vedanta, with a background in the neurosciences. Formerly a monastic member of the Ve…
…ue, perform rituals, and believe in God but don’t regard the attainment of compassion or complete truthfulness or strength of character or enlightenment as their primary goal. Instead, they pray to God for the fulfillment of their selfish desires and thank God if those desires are fulfilled. Still, through these practices and beliefs, even if inspired by worldly aims, people may gain some spiritual benefit. By their beliefs they acknowledge that t…
…ord, I am not worthy that you should dwell under my roof!” The Lord is all compassion, and he loves humility. He says, “If you were worthy, what would be the point?” Through his grace he stoops from heaven and lends a hand to lift us up. Cultivate the Indwelling Presence Many religions point to the idea that God has planted his seed within us and longs for it to germinate. The Christians have the idea of the indwelling Christ. Hinduism has the ide…
