| APRIL 2007
Saturday: April 21st, 2007: (10am - 4pm)
Introduction to the scope and
purpose of the series...
We will take a broad look at Hinduism so we understand how all the
many and varied things that are considered a part of Hinduism are
related to each other. We will also talk about the primary Hindu scriptures
and the place of the Bhagavad Gita in this context. And finally, we
will take a brief look at the Mahabharata, in which the Bhagavad Gita
is embedded, so as to understand the context in which this dialogue
between Krishna and Arjuna takes place. When we relate to all the
events that occurred to bring the two parties to the brink of war
we are better able to understand the depth of Arjuna’s grief
and confusion.
A guided tour of the Shastras, the Smriti and Sruti, that form the
verbal basis of Hinduism – the Vedas, the Puranas and the Epics are
classified either as Sruti [revealed] or Smriti [remembered ie; composed]
texts. The revealed texts-- the Veda which include the Upanisads and
the Gita-- have more ' spiritual weight' than the 'remembered' or
written, story texts, which include the Puranas and Epics . It is
essential to remember that Hinduism began, and to a certain extent
continues, as an oral tradition. " Religions of The Book " are mostly
a western tradition.
It is also important to remember that 'Hinduism' is a vast family
of varied spiritual traditions from which Buddhism and Jainism and
Sikhism originated and into whose home Early Christian groups - perhaps
even the direct disciples of Jesus- were accepted as honored guests.
Jewish communities have been living in India since the Babylonian
Diaspora and Zoroastrians since the Muslim invasions of Persia in
the 6th century. Pre-Vedic religions have continued worship in India
with full freedom, for thousands of years, until this very day. The
Tibetian Buddhist Diaspora, and the home of HH The Dalai Lama is currently
centered in Dharmasala, India.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. Indra Makhija
|
| Saturday: May 19th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
Study of the Bhagavad
Gita... Chapters 1-3
May 19: Chapters 1-3: The first chapter sets the stage and introduces
us to the battle scene and the many great warriors assembled on each
side. As Arjuna looks at his teacher (Drona), his great uncle (Bhishma)
and the many friends and relatives assembled there against whom he
must fight, he panics. He does not see any sense in winning this war
while killing those dear to him and says he won’t fight. Krishna
responds to that and thus begin eighteen chapters of questions and
answers that comprise the Gita. In chapter 2 the spiritual knowledge
that must be understood in order to act wisely is expounded. In the
second half of this chapter Krishna gives a description of a person
who is established in this knowledge. Chapter 3 introduces us to the
Yoga of Action (Karma Yoga). It explains a method of acting wisely
so that we can live wisely and move closer to the Divine. The other
methods that we will encounter in this book are the Yoga of Meditation
(Raja Yoga), Yoga of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) and the Yoga of Knowledge
(Jnana Yoga).
Presenter for the Afternoon: Swami Tapasananda |
| Saturday: June 16th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
Chapters 4-6...
Chapters 4 and 5 continue to discuss Karma Yoga adding layers of
depth to the basic concept. Chapter 6 leads the conversation to the
next step for one who is ready to travel the spiritual path, meditation.
This is the chapter on Raja Yoga.
The Gita was Mahatma Gandhi's favorite text and formed a principle
inspiration for his non-violent resistence movement. Every major exponent
of Hindu philosophy has written a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita
and its adherants include both dualists and nondualists. Hundreds
of varied commentaries are presently in print testifying to the central
role of Gita Shastra in Hindu thought. Chapters from the Gita are
chanted on many occasions and it is often memorized in entirety by
students.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. C. A. Reddy |
| Saturday: July 21rst: (10am-3:30pm)
Chapters 7-9...
These chapters are really the beginnings of Jnana Yoga. Many questions
are answered about the practice of spiritual life, the basics of philosophy,
gradually adding depth to our understanding.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. C. A. Reddy |
| Saturday : August 18th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
Chapters 10-12...
These three chapters on Bhakti Yoga are indeed the most beautiful.
The phrase that comes to mind is – to know Him is to love Him.
So we spend chapter 10
getting to know Him and by the end of chapter 11, there is
awe and the beginning of love and then 12 deals with how we translate
this into Bhakti Yoga – a path to realize Him.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. Indra Makhija |
| Saturday: September 15th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
Chapters 13-15...
These are further chapters on knowledge – Jnana Yoga.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. Raju |
| Saturday: October 20th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
Chapters 16-18...
Chapters 16 and 17 continue to add to our understanding. Most of
Chapter 18 is a wonderful discussion on renunciation, the difference
between sannyasa and tyaga. When all this has been explained, Arjuna
is asked to make his choice. Having understood all, Arjuna is now
ready for battle.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. Raju
|
| Saturday: November 17th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
Havan (Fire Ceremony)...
November 17: A Havan (fire ceremony) chanting selected verses from
the Gita.
Presenter for the Afternoon: Dr. Raju will conduct the Havan |
| Saturday: December 15th, 2007: (10am-3:30pm)
The Spiritual Path...
A look at the Spiritual Path in the context of the four Yogas (Karma,
Raja, Bhakti and Jnana), relating it to what we have studied in the
Gita. Finally we connect all of this with our own spiritual journey.
Now we have some knowledge and understanding, and there will be parts
of it that we can use to enrich our lives.
There will be a panel of speakers who will talk about the spiritual
path in general and maybe their own experience. They will also try
to answer any and every question that you raise. Panel - To Be Announced...
By the end of these nine months you will have learned a great deal.
Most of the ideas presented in the Gita will now be understood, along
with many spiritual practices. These will be your spiritual wealth,
to be drawn upon and used when your life calls for it. You will have
met a lot of wonderful people and will have had a great time!! There
will be a great lunch and time to talk to each other!!!! Really, you
couldn’t ask for more!!!!
|
| Pilgrimage to India...dates
will be announced,
This guided tour of India is an optional feature [a really great
one!] and will focus on visiting Tirthas [Holy Places] in India. Cost
is aproximately $3,000.00 depending on airfare and lodgings; visa
and valid passport required.
|
|
Cost- $450.00 for the entire nine month, mentored program
-- payments are acceptable-- some scholarships are available for those
with a demonstrated need.
20.00 for non students to audit any afternoon programs:
Staff include [not an exhaustive list] the following; Program leader
Srimati Indra Makhija Phd, Monastics: Sannyasini Gaurima Puri Devi,
Swami Tapasananda, Swami Atmalokananda, Sannyasini Shivavrata, Sannyasini
Shaktivrata, Sannyasinni Yogabrata, Dr. Sripada Raju of the Lansing
Temple, Dena Blay-Stroba OCDS- Director of the Institute/World Religions,
Herb Hoster- disciple of Swami Bhashyananda, Ruth Harring PhD, Srimati
Vichitra Nayar, Mira Patricia Kerr and Dr. Partha Sinha, plus occasional
special guest speakers: www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info.
To Register Call:
(269) 543-3951, or email Swami Tapasananda at: tapas@accn.org or Mrs. Makhija at: (630)
655-8822.
FOR DISTANCE LEARNERS-- COMPLETE VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS
CAN BE MAILED and essays exchanged between staff and students. |
