IMPORTANCE OF GURU IN LIFE Swami Atmeshananda, Vedanta Centre Springfield Lakes ‘He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.’ said Bernard Shaw. His wise crack is but an echo of an old adage ‘example is better than precept’ – Guru tradition lays emphasis on this practicality on the part of Guru. – brahma vit tamah; the best among the knowers of Brahman’. In our tradition, one of the terms for guru is ‘Acharya’ – a-charati iti. He is an exemplar – leads a life that the disciple can emulate. He is the mould from which is fashioned the personality of the disciples he is the model and students are copies. Next to the great philosophies of Hinduism, the institution of Guru occupies the central place. No other religion or culture venerates the teacher as Hinduism does. All our ceremonies, study, prayer, meditation etc. begin only after paying proper respect to Guru. Gurushakti Shri Ramakrishna says, ‘Sat-chit-Ananda is the ONLY Guru’ So, Guru is actually the manifestation of the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient Divine That is of the nature of ExistenceKnowledge-Bliss Absolute in ‘a form ‘! It is a power! Not
he should know the spiritual essence of the scriptures. Personal experience of what the scripture says is of utmost importance to become a Guru. 2) Avrjina, that is, his conduct should be above reproach. He should live strictly in conformity with the scriptural ideal. There should be purity in thought, word and ded. 3) Akamahata, that is, his relation with his disciple should not have any kind of selfish motive. Otherwise, the relationship between the disciple and Guru will be a ‘business’ relationship! (Guru Purnima was observed at the Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes on the 2nd July 2023). ____________________________
a person! Guru is actually a ‘Shakti’. One may argue that if the Gurushakti is the manifestation of the power that is everywhere, why do we need to accept a form of a person as our Guru. To answer this, we refer to a conversation between Shri Ramakrishna and Vidyasagar (a great educationist and reformer) recorded in the ‘Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna (5 August, 1882): Sri Ramakrishna: “Just see how picturesque this universe is! How many
things there are! The sun, moon, and stars; and how many varieties of living beings! – big and small, good and bad, strong and weak – some endowed with more power, some with less”. Vidyasagar : “ Has he endowed some with more power and others with less?” Shri Ramakrishna : “ As the All-pervading Spirit He
Activity
Time
Venue
Tue 01.08.23
Study of Brahma Sutras Physical Yoga Class Discussion group at Somji's Class on Vivekacudamani Toowoomba
11.00am - 12noon 6.30pm - 7.30pm 7.30pm - 8.30pm 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Ashram, inquire for details Ashram 19 Scribbly Gum St Sunnybank Hills Toowoomba City Library Zoom ID: 878 2952 6965 code: Vedanta22 Ashram Ashram Ashram Ashram (LG Hall) Ashram, inquire for details Ashram 101 Sharpless Rd Springfield Ashram Ashram Ashram Ashram Ashram Ashram, inquire for details Ashram Zoom ID: 811 6285 1385 Passcode: vedanta20 Ashram Ashram Ashram Ashram (LG Hall) Ashram, inquire for details Ashram St Johns Performing Arts Centre, College Ave Forest Lake Ashram Ashram Ashram (Library) Ashram Ashram Ashram, inquire for details Ashram
Mon 07.08.23 Tue 08.08.23 Thurs 10.08.23 Sat 12.08.23 Sun 13.08.23
Tue 15.08.23 Sat 19.08.23 Sun 20.08.23 Mon 21.08.23 Tue 22.08.23
Physical Yoga Class 7.45am - 9am Class on the Bhagavad Gita 10am - 11am Yoga & Mindfulness Class for children and youth 10am - 11am MCKS Meditation on Twin Hearts 6.30pm - 7.30pm Study of Brahma Sutras 11.00am - 12noon Physical Yoga Class 6.30pm - 7.30pm Study of Ashtavakra Samhita 7.30pm - 8.30pm Ekadashi - Sri Ramanam Sankirtanam 6.30pm - 7.45pm Physical Yoga Class 7.45am - 9am Class on the Bhagavad Gita 10am - 11am Yoga & Mindfulness Class for children and youth 10am - 11am Hindi Language Class (all ages) 11am - 12.30pm Study of Brahma Sutras 11.00am - 12noon Physical Yoga Class 6.30pm - 7.30pm Class on the Bhagavad Gita 5.30pm - 6.30pm (hosted by Vedanta Gold Coast Satsang online) Physical Yoga Class 7.45am - 9am Yoga & Mindfulness Class for children and youth 10am - 11am Monthly Satsang 10.30am - 12noon MCKS Meditation on Twin Hearts 6.30pm - 7.30pm Study of Brahma Sutras 11.00am - 12noon Physical Yoga Class 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Sat 26.08.23
Natiya-Layam Fundraising Dance Concert
Sun 27.08.23
Physical Yoga Class 7.45am - 9am Yoga & Mindfulness Class for children and youth 10am - 11am Hindi Language Class (all ages) 11am - 12.30pm Prayer Meeting & Langar (free meals) 11.30am -1.30pm Ekadashi - Sri Ramanam Sankirtanam 6.30pm - 7.45pm Study of Brahma Sutras 11.00am - 12noon Physical Yoga Class 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Tue 29.08.23 LINKS
5.30pm - 8.30pm
Youtube
www.youtube/com/VedantaBrisbane
www.facebook.com/MaaSaradasKitchen
Who can be a Guru? The scriptures point out three characteristics for a Guru: 1) Srotriya, that is, he should have the knowledge of the scriptures. But actually,
Presents
Day/Date
Sun 06.08.23
and come to pay you their respects. Don’t you agree with me? “ Vidyasagar smiled.
Nadananjali Sool of Dance
Brisbane Chapter Vedanta Centre of Sydney Programme for August 2023
Wed 02.08.23
exists in all beings, even in the ant. But the manifestations of His Power are different in different beings; otherwise, how can one person put ten to flight, while another can’t face even one? And why do all people respect you? Have you grown a pair of horns? (Laughter) You have more compassion and learning. Therefore people honour you
The Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes is an intercultural faith and community hub engaged in benevolent activities like food assistance, educational workshops, activities for children and youth, classes on Vedanta and volunteer opportunities. The Centre has a Café, Soup Kitchen, community garden and reading library. All are welcome. Email: info@ vedantabrisbane.org
NNiya Layam By the Students of
Smt.Chitra Yo Shrikanta In Aid of Vedanta Centre. Brisbane
Date : 26th August 2023
Time : 5:30pm for 6:00 pm start Venue : St John's Performing Arts Centre College Ave, Forest Lake, QLD - 4078
Platinum-$100, Adult - $20, students( 3-17) - $15, Seniors - $15 Dinner- $12
SLIVER SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
Justice of Peace (JP) & free food service is available Fridays at 10am. Please contact us for details
Vedanta Centre Brisbane: 96 Vedanta Drive (behind 2 Poppy Cres) Springfield Lakes QLD 4300 www.vedantabrisbane.org info@vedantabrisbane.org
Call: (07) 3192 5188
Tel: (07) 3818 9986
www.indiantimes.com.au
https://events.humanitix.com/natiya-layam THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES,August, 2023 — 25