Study class visit by Swamiji
Topic: How to cultivate surrender, faith and devotion, based on an extract from the Ramcharit Manas
Acharya: Swami Swatmanandji
Host: Manju Malkani’s study class at Worli and Nepean Sea Road, Shruti Somani’s Cuffe Parade class
Date: Aug 12th 2015
Venue: Priya Lambah’s residence
Reported by: Monisha Wadhwani
Devotion is love for the supreme. Lord Ram explains nine steps of devotion to Sabari as follows -
Step 1 - Satsang
In satsang, participate actively. Satsang is like a boxing match, knocking down false values.
Step 2 - Katha or spiritual literature.
Develop a fondness for stories about the glory of the Lord. Read literature of Saints such as Soordas, Mirabai.
Step 3 - Guru seva
Serving the Guru helps us to be attuned with the Guru.
Step 4 - Guna gaan
Sing glories of the Lord in a guileless, sincere manner.
Step 5 – Japa
There will be feeling of joy with the repeated intensity of japa practice. Name of the Lord is bigger than the Lord, do japa with drdha vishwas i.e. firm conviction
Step 6 - Dama i.e. Self-control
Live in self-control. Let sense enjoyments be sattvic.
Step 7 - Vision of oneness
See this whole world as an expression of the Lord. Recognise saints as even greater than the Lord.
Step 8 - Santosha / no fault finding
• Accept results and be happy.
• Sorrow = Insistence plus resistance.
• Happiness = Acceptance plus independence.
• Before I see God in others, see good in others.
Step 9 – Saral / Bharosa i.e. simplicity and faith
• Lead a simple, straight-forward life of faith without cunningness, manipulation.
The result of darshan of the Lord is an incomparable experience, seen in the heart - I am one with the Lord, my nature is Sat Cit Anand.
Swamiji concluded the beautiful talk with blessings -
May we practice any one of these nine steps with devotion, rise in devotion, may we be one with the Lord.
Topic: Resolving conflicts within and outside with relations
Acharya: Swami Swatmanandji
Host: 5 devi group classes of Vibha Mittal & Vinita Asrani
Date: Aug 13th 2015
Venue: Chinmaya Sagar.
Swamiji explained how to overcome the agitation in 5 steps.
1) Free your thought from Raag and Dvesh.
2) Pursue higher uncompromising values with conviction
3) Have a higher purpose and seek it with the identification of a sadhak.
4) Acceptance that you cannot change anybody.
5) Forgive and let go of the conflict.
Only then will the situation get diffused or you will become a victim of it.
GGMG
Topic : Goal setting and devotion.
Acharya : Sevika Sujata Kelkar
Host: Mr Suresh Shah
Date: 21st August 2015
Venue: Sona Waala building, Tardeo,
8 people attended and felt that the topics discussed gave them a lot of food for thought. Poojya Gurudev’s video was shown and very much appreciated.
GGMG
Topic: The Self is UNBORN
Acharya: SevIka Dr Sujata Kekar
Host: Mrs Savitri Sadarangani
Venue: Prabhu Kutir, Altamount raod
Date: 17th August 2015
8 people were present and the topic was discussed and the video of the same was shown followed by Q&A where doubts were clarified.
The class ended with Meditation for 10mins. 3 new people attended the talks.
Event: Experiential Meditation Sessions .
Acharya: Swami Krishnapriyananda, Acharya Chinmaya Priyam, Khar Mumbai
Date: 18th August 2015
Venue: Chinmaya sagar at Panchsheel The sessions was from
Reported by : Sujata Kelkar
Integrating the shravanan mananan and making one get into the bhava in the niddhidhysan sessions was a great way, to move up in our spiritual journey. Many times we are just going round and round listening and thinking but to actually put it in to practice all that we have learnt and to understand our True nature was a super experience . No notes no pens, in complete silence we sat, we dwelled deeper into our contemplation.
A must session for all sadhaks to consolidate all that they have learnt.
Event :Rudra Abhishek puja
Date: 24th Aug 2014 , during the holy month of Shravan
Acharya: Br. Vedji (from Khargar -youngest Acharya of Chinmaya Mission)
Yajmans: Mrs Hansa Khagram, Mrs Shilpa Mavani and Mr. Rao
Venue: Chinmaya Sagar
Repoted by: Geeta Kothari
The evening, attended by 40 devotees, began with the rendering of melodious Shiv Bhajans by Ms. Pramodini Rao, followed by the puja.
Vedji explained that:
· A puja is dedicated to the lord to offer thanks for the Lords grace and blessings showered on his bhakt.
· The spiritual significance of the offerings made during the puja representing the 5 elements of nature, the gross and subtle body
· Water abhishek representing water element,; gandham representing earth; dhoop – air, deep – fire and flowers – space, akash. The offering of beetel (supari) and tambula signifies the surrender of ego; the burning of camphor signifies the exhaustion of vasanas and the merging with , realisation of Brahman.
The puja ended with aarti and distribution of Prasad.