The earth now supports over seven billion human beings. We are pushing up against the limits of the biosphere’s ability to sustain us. Swami Mahayogananda discusses the ecological crisis from the Vedantic viewpoint, and suggests that the solution must come through the spiritual evolution of humanity. Delivered on May 20, 2013. Vedanta, Ecology, and Evolution (right-click […]
Author Archives: SM
A Song on Samadhi
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda composed this hymn in an attempt to express the inexpressible experience of nirvikalpa samadhi. An English Translation (from the Complete Works) Lo! The sun is not, nor the comely moon, All light extinct; in the great void of space Floats shadow-like the image-universe. In the void of mind involute, there floats The fleeting universe, […]
New Temple Inauguration: April 19-21, 2013
It is with great joy that we announce the inauguration program of our new temple, to take place during the weekend of April 19 to 21, 2013. The main worship will be on Saturday April 20, the auspicious day of Ram-navami, also the founding day of our center. The program will also specially celebrate Swami […]
Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna in Eight Aphorisms
Swami Harshananda
Swami Harshananda composed eight sutras embodying the essence of Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings. They are presented herewith. (From the Vedanta Kesari, December 2011) Swami Brahmarupananda has been giving a series of talks on this subject: listen here. ईश्वरोऽस्त्येवः स एव सत्यम्॥१॥ तं द्रष्टुं ज्ञातुं तेन सह आलापं कर्तुं च साध्यम्॥२॥ ईश्वरदर्शनं साक्षात्कारश्च जीवनस्य लक्ष्यम्॥३॥ तद्दर्शनेन साक्षात्कारेण […]
Rāma-Nāma-Sankirtanam:
The 108 Names of Rāma
We sing the 108 names of Sri Rama monthly, usually on the first Saturday of the month, after evening arati. All are welcome to join us. Swami Brahmananda instituted this tradition in monasteries of the Ramakrishna Order. Traditionally it is sung on Ekadashi days. We include here the Sanskrit Text, English transliteration, and also Bengali […]
A Song on Samadhi
Swami Atmajnanananda
Swami Vivekananda tried to express the inexpressible experience of nirvikalpa samadhi in a Bengali song, translated into English as “A Song on Samadhi”. Swami Atmajnanananda takes this song as a template for discussing Swami Vivekananda and samadhi in this two-part series, delivered on February 24 and March 10, 2013. Swami Vivekananda’s original composition can be […]
The Undivided Life
Swami Mahayogananda
What does it mean to live an “undivided” life? Why do our lives feel fractured, divided? What can bridge the divisions we feel in our life and center it, make it undivided? Swami Mahayogananda addresses these questions in this lecture delivered on February 17, 2013. The Undivided Life (right-click to download: 24 MB)
Unconditional Grace
Swami Brahmarupananda
Swami Brahmarupananda discusses the Unconditional Grace of Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother, in this short talk delivered on her birthday celebration, January 6, 2013. The talk is about 27 minutes long. Unconditional Grace (right-click to download: 13 MB)
Resolutions for the New Year
Swami Atmajnanananda
The New Year is an auspicious time to take stock of ourselves, resolve to improve ourselves, and effect some real change in our lives. Swami Atmajnanananda discusses Resolutions for the New Year or Reflection, Resolution, and Change in this lecture delivered on December 30, 2012. See also his lecture on the same topic from 2011. Resolutions […]
Eight Aphorisms of Sri Ramakrishna
Swami Brahmarupananda
In this series of talks, Swami Brahmarupananda discusses the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, with Swami Harshananda’s “Eight Aphorisms of Sri Ramakrishna” as a guide. (See the aphorisms here). First lecture: Aphorisms 1 & 2 Delivered on December 23, 2012. Eight Aphorisms of Sri Ramakrishna 1 (right-click to download: 18 MB) Second lecture: Aphorism 3 Delivered on February 10, 2013. Eight […]