Pearls of Wise

 ====================================================================== ======================================================================= Sunday, September 11, 2022. 08:20. THE HINDU RELIGION (Sanatana Dharmam ) : ======================================================================== (Summary of a lecture delivered before the Ethical Society, Brooklyn, at the Pouch Gallery in Clinton Avenue, on the 30th December, 1894. Reproduced from the Brooklyn Standard Union.) ========================================================================= My religion is to learn.  I read your Bible better,  in the light of "your Bible and the dark prophecies,"  My religion is brighter when compared with those of your prophets.  Truth has always been universal. If I alone were to have six fingers on my hand while all of you had only five, you would not think that my hand was the true intent of nature, but rather that it was abnormal and diseased. Just so with religion. If o...

 ======================================================================= Sri Aurobindo Asramam - Pondichery ======================================================================== Saturday, September 10, 2022.06:30. Observing the Inherited and Environmental Influences on One’s Character from the Standpoint of the Psychic Being : ======================================================================= Sri Aurobindo Statue in Parliament When the individual is able to shift out of the standpoint of the ego-personality to that of the soul, the psychic being, he is able to observe and trace the influences of inherited tendencies or environmental pressures that bubble up from the subconscient and try to gain admittance and acceptance into his active outer nature. The tendencies are as clearly defined as when one sees a physical resemblance between a mother and a daughter or father and son! The individual can see more than physical characteristics, however, including vital responses, habi...

 ====================================================================== People of Kerala ( except few ) because of ignorance do not understand the Value behind this Festival. The significance of Onam is explained by Swamiji in a simple way showing the values of this event. ======================================================================== Friday, September 09, 2022. 09:00. Published by  Chinmaya-admin at  6th February 2021 ======================================================================== We can learn a lot from every event in life. Just as the honeybee has the special instrument (proboscis) to extract the very essence in the flowers, human beings have a special faculty (power of discrimination) to maintain the quality of life by learning the art of true listening. Listening is the channel most often used for “learning.” It is a vital communication function; it improves our ability of understanding, self-awareness and self-application. Effective listening is n...

==================================================================== Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) 08.09.2022  The joyous spirit of Onam festivities is indeed infectious and we at CIF look forward to it every year!  The entire staff, resident Swamins and Brahmacharins, along with the Vedanta Sadhaka Course (VSC) students joined the festivities with great enthusiasm and joy.  The colourful athapookalam with the glorious colours of nature's best was beautifully laid out in the morning.  Dressed in festive attire, everyone eagerly welcomed the cultural presentation in the Chidvilas auditorium.  Swami Sharadanandaji inaugurated the programme with a short message on the cultural significance of the Onam festival invoking the grace of Vamana Bhagavan (Lord Mahavishnu).  Indeed the performances that followed showcased the hidden talent of all those who participated, be it the melodious rendering of Onam folk songs, or the well synchronised Thiruvathiraka...

 ======================================================================== ======================================================================= Wednesday, September 07, 2022. 08:00. Handling Your Afflicted Mind : ========================================================================= Harih Om Tat Sat! I generally ask two questions to those who are listening to me. “Do you think that knowledge is a help?” And “Can I trust your statement?” To the first question, the answer is invariably ‘yes’. I should say, almost always it is a sure ‘yes’. And then I ask: “Can I trust you?” Then also they say ‘yes’. But when the right knowledge is presented to solve the problems of the mind – either to overcome afflictions or to get rid of certain prejudices or defects – I find that they are not able to act upon the knowledge. There is a resistance – originating from delusion or ego – operating in their minds. Lack of receptivity and openness invariably hinders correction and progress. Yesterday...

======================================================================= Greetings to all from Chinmaya Vibhooti for Ganesh Chaturthi! Shri Pranav Ganesh Bhagwan ki Jai! Shri Sadhgurunath Maharaj ki Jai! ======================================================================= Tuesday, September 06, 2022. 08:15. Contemplate Ganapati’s form to connect with him : ========================================================================= The name Ganapati immediately brings to mind the elephant-faced God, worshipped all over India irrespective of caste, creed, or religious beliefs. He is famous as the Vighnaharta, remover of obstacles, and is, therefore, worshipped before undertaking any task. Some devotees are content with just gazing at his divine form, chanting his name, or singing his glories. However, others are benefitted by contemplating his divine virtues, sports, or the symbolic meaning of his divine form. Let us see the auspicious form of Ganapati to be meditated upon and worshipped...

 ======================================================================= What happens when you chant, reflect, meditate, deeply study and understand the powerful mahamantra that invokes the form of Lord Ganapati? ========================================================================= Monday, September 05, 2022. 06:00 Namaskar - An Expression of Love :   ================================================================ The Bhagavad Gita contains a beautiful portion in which Arjuna, after having witnessed the Cosmic Form of Sri Krishna, sings eleven shlokas in adoration of Ishvara.1 If we understand these eleven verses deeply, we will be able to appreciate the greatness and glory of Ishvara. The Lord Himself has revealed Himself in the Scriptures. Arjuna declares2 “Great siddhas and enlightened beings do namaskar to you and why not? You are truly worthy of being praised and worshipped. O Mahatma! You are the Supreme. You are the creator of even Brahmaji. The Supreme Alone ...