Chinmaya-Tej. Chinmaya Mission San Jose Publication. Vol.22, No.4 July/August 2011

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1 Chinmaya-Tej Chinmaya Mission San Jose Publication Vol.22, No.4 July/August 2011

2 Mission Statement To provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become a positive contributor to the society. A True Teacher A MAN firmly established in wisdom is tranquil and his equipoise is never broken even when he is investing his entire energies in the world outside for the service of mankind. The words coming from an individual can gather wings only when they spring from a heart soaked in an utmost subjective experience. The teacher will have to explain in terms of the intellect that which is beyond the intellect. This early catering to the intellect is possible only when the teacher knows the technics employed in the Upanishads by the great Rishis of old in conveying and explaining the inexplicable. However, much we may explain, the actual transference of knowledge from the teacher to the taught is not through words. For this, the power of communication must be in the teacher, and this he can discover only from his own experience.

3 s Table of Contents s Volume 22, No.4 July/August 2011 From The Editors Desk...2 Chinmaya Tej Editorial Staff...2 Groundbreaking Ceremony Invitation....3 Chinmaya-Tej...6 Worship Your Teacher...7 The First Pearl: Love & Work Dharma and Sampradäya...14 Inspired Leadership...18 Swami Tejomayananda Bala Vihar Locations & Choir Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra and Language Classes...24 Bhakti Rasamrutam...25 BalViHar Magazine - Gita Chanting Classes for Children Tapovan Prasad...27 Scheme of Study for Chinmaya Study Groups...28 Community Outreach program...29 Vedanta Study Groups Adult Sessions Satsangs with Br. Prabodh Chaitanya Prabodhji's Classes at Bala Vihar Locations...31 Prabodhji's Classes at Sandeepany...31 Swami Tejomayananada s Itinerary

4 From The Editors Desk Tej, is a bi-monthly publication of Chinmaya Mission San Jose. CMSJ is in the process of getting the necessary permits to build the New Facility. The City of San Jose is studying the building drawings and when they are approved we shall begin the construction of our New Building. We are happy to show you some elevation drawings of the projects. We invite you to visit the site when you can. News and events update via e-newsletter on CMSJ web-site is serving our timely announcements. Please keep us updated with your addresses and send them to Cmsj-news@chinmaya.org If you do not hear from us or Chinmaya Tej, please forward your address and to me indicated on this page. Chinmaya Tej is also available for viewing on our website. Chinmaya-Tej will be mailed to all Sponsors and Members of Chinmaya Mission San Jose. Send your subscription marked, Chinmaya-Tej, CMSJ, 1050 Park Ave., San Jose, CA Chinmaya Tej Editorial Staff Editor: Uma Jeyarasasingam (umakj@sbcglobal.net) Co-editor: Rohini Joshi Electronic Editorial Advisor: Satish Joshi Contributors: Subbu Venkatkrishnan, Swami Sivananda, Swamini Vimalananda, Swami Chinmayananda Design & Layout: four waters / four waters media Printing: Bill Browning / PigMint Press, Redway, California Data Base: Kapil Vaish Mailing: Autozip, Ukiah, California Contact us: Phone: (650) Fax: (650)

5 Ground Breaking Ceremony Invitation from the CMSJ Board Hari Om! The CMSJ Board of Directors cordially requests the honor of your presence along with family at the Ground-Breaking Ceremonies of the CMSJ New Building Facility. We are indeed blessed since these ceremonies will take place in the auspicious presence of the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, our Beloved and Revered Param Pujya Guruji, Swami Tejomayanandaji, CMSJ Board of Directors President Swami Shantanandaji and our own Beloved Acharyas, Br. Prabodh Chaitanya and Smt. Uma Jeyarasasingam. This event is the culmination of efforts that began in 2006 to secure a new property for the future CMSJ Building. Though the ground breaking ceremonies are the culmination of one phase of the project, this in many regards is the beginning of much more work to be done. To ensure that the future work is completed with out too many obstacles, we invoke the Grace and Blessings of God and our entire Guru Parampara with Poojas and ceremonies. Ceremonies will be conducted by Panditji Ravichandran. 3

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7 As part of the ground breaking ceremonies, there will be a three day discourse series on the Shiva Mahimna Stotram given by Swami Shantanandaji. Discourses begin on July 22nd from 7:30pm-9:00pm, July 23rd and July 24th from 8:30am to Noon. Further details available at It goes without saying that we would not have reached this stage of the CMSJ New Building Project without the tireless and unwavering support of the entire CMSJ community. For this, we are ever grateful. We humbly seek your presence at these ceremonies. Please join us. Thank You and Warm Regards, CMSJ Board of Directors 5

8 Chinmaya ~ Tej Thank you for asking about Chinmaya Tej. Pujya Gurudev initiated and launched the CMSJ Newsletter in Later, finding the CMSJ Newsletter to be, in his words, like a catalog, i.e., woefully inadequate for the purposes he had in mind, he gave detailed guidelines to transform it into a formal, informative, useful, and high-quality publication. Thus Chinmaya-Tej was born. The manifold purposes of Tej, as laid out by Gurudev, are as follows: 1. It is the voice of CMSJ. 2. Gurudev wanted CMSJ s publication to be of high quality and comparable to CMW s Mananam and other Chinmaya Mission Publications. 3. It is the official publication of CMSJ. When CMSJ was first registered as Non-Profit Organization, there were queries from various government agencies as to whether CMSJ had an official publication, from which they could learn about CMSJ, our history, mission, and values. Tej served that purpose. 4. Tej is CMSJ s mode of outreach and communication to spiritual seekers beyond those who are able to attend CMSJ s discourses in person. Extra copies of each issue of Tej are printed so as to be available for new seekers. 5. Gurudev also instructed us to cover Vedanta topics in the Tej. Accordingly, Tej has articles on Vedanta topics for beginners as well as advanced readers. Other Details about Tej: 1. The annual cost to produce 6 issues of Chinmaya Tej is $21,000. It is paid for by CMSJ s Annual Membership contributions, Bala Vihar revenues, and general donations. 2. Chinmaya Tej is also available online. Hard copies of Chinmaya Tej are distributed only to members of CMSJ who reside in California. 6

9 Worship your Swami Sivananda (Reprinted from Science of Yoga, Volume One) BE FREE from desires. Thirst for the knowledge of God. Engage yourself in performing selfless service. The Divine Vision and intuition will dawn in you. Worship your father, mother and teacher. Worship the guests. Look upon all of them as the Lord Himself, without regarding them as mere human beings. Pay them due reverence. Serve them with great respect. 7

10 Do not yield to fatalism. Change your habits. Lead a virtuous life. Eradicate greed and anxiety. Give up vanity. Be devoted to the Lord. The Divine Light will dawn in you. The worship of saints has been taken more or less as a necessary Sadhana in the life of an aspirant. Even the Upanishads declare that the Sadhaka should have the same devotion to his Guru as he has to God. The idea is that by constantly thinking of his Guru, the Sadhaka is kept on the right path, away from evil, and moulds himself on the pattern of his teacher. When a Sadhaka superimposes on his personal Guru the characteristics of the impersonal Absolute, as in the case of idol-worship, his devotion reaches the Supreme. God, the Indweller, understands the devotion of the Sadhaka and guides him along the proper path. Even wise men often lack this broad outlook and argue that the human figure of a saint should not be adored with the devotion due to God. As with God, so with the Guru -- the way to the Impersonal lies through the personal. A Guru is necessary. But you must first prepare the ground well for the reception of the seed of knowledge from the Guru. He cannot do this for you. Simple living, simple food, simple clothing, aversion for sensual pleasures, speaking the truth, developing a heart of love, Brahmacharya, self-control and endurance all these have to be developed. 8 You should have a keen longing to meet a Guru and be initiated by him. Then God Himself will provide a Guru for you. Good books written by realised Yogis, who have trodden the path successfully, will help you greatly. Mere talk will not do you must practise. Learn Yoga under a Guru. Then only will you be able to understand the subtle points. Get practical lessons also from him. Then alone will you grow rapidly. He will remove your doubts and show you the right path, because he has already trodden the path himself. He will point out the pitfalls and snares that tempt aspirants on the path. He will inspire you. Just as electricity flows from a positively charged battery towards the negative pole, even so, power, energy, love, wisdom and spiritual currents flow from the master-mind of a Yogi towards the lesser mind of the disciple. Books also can assist you. They will inspire you. They can guide you only to a certain extent and to a certain point. You have to practise the rules of right conduct before you approach a Guru. You can start the minor practices -- Asanas, Pranayama and some concentration exercises, with the help of books. Books written by realised persons can serve the purpose of a Guru till you come in personal contact with a realised Yogi or adept. You can also get help from senior aspirants on the path of Yoga.

11 Make a programme of your activities. Draw up a spiritual routine and stick to it systematically and regularly. Apply yourself diligently. Never waste a single minute. Life is short. Time is fleeting. That tomorrow will never come. It is now or never. Stand up with a firm resolve: I will become a Yogi this very moment. Gird up your loins. Do rigid Sadhana. Walk the path of Yoga, in the footsteps of Trailinga Swami, Sadasiva Brahman and Jnana Dev. If you are very sincere in your spiritual practices and if your mind is filled with burning dispassion and keen longing for liberation, you can reach perfection within six months. Believe me, there is no doubt of this. Direct realisation of the Self is the means to liberation. He who is endowed with the four means of salvation will be able to realise the Self. One can acquire these four qualifications -- discrimination, dispassion, intense desire for liberation, and divine qualities, by strictly adhering to the duties of his own caste and order, by austerities and selfless service, by propitiating his own Deity, and by service of a Guru. He only who is devoted to his Guru and has been performing worship can comprehend the depths of the teachings of Vedanta. You will find in the Swetaswatara Upanishad: Whosoever hath the highest love for God, and for the Guru as for God, to that Mahatma the truths taught here shine in full. A true Sadguru is absolutely free from passion, anger, selfishness, greed, hatred and egoism. He is beyond worldly temptations. He is able to remove the ignorance of aspirants. He can clear any kind of doubt. He can give practical, easy lessons to control the mind and the senses. His instructions are very impressive. Even an ignorant, proud man bends his head before a true Sadguru. The Sadguru is able to take the students to the door of liberation. He is well versed in the Vedas. He is sinless. He is an ocean of mercy. He is a friend of all. In the Upadesha Sahasri of Sri Shankara you will find: Vedanta should be taught to one who has a calm mind, who has controlled his senses, who is free from faults such as passion, anger and greed, who is obedient, who is endowed with pure, virtuous qualities, who is always humble, and who yearns for liberation. The Guru will impart spiritual instructions to that aspirant who thirsts for liberation, who duly obeys the injunctions of the Shastras, who has subdued his passions and senses, who has a calm mind, and who possesses virtuous qualities like mercy, cosmic love, patience, humility, forbearance, endurance and courage. Initiation into the mysteries of Brahma Vidya will fructify only when the disciple s 9

12 mind becomes desireless. Then only will knowledge dawn. The desire to attain knowledge of the Self will dawn only in the person who is free from desires, who has a pure mind, and who is quite disgusted with this worldly life. Such a man only is competent to hear, meditate and attain knowledge of Brahman. When the knowledge of the Self dawns, ignorance, which is the seed of bondage and the cause of Karma, is totally eradicated and the aspirant attains immortality and eternal bliss. If anyone possesses discrimination, dispassion and the sixfold virtues, then a strong desire for liberation will manifest itself. Dispassion is the fruit of discrimination. Aspirants who have renounced the world are not able to realise the goal because they have no burning desire for liberation. Faith, devotion, self-restraint, onepointedness of mind, purity of heart, dispassion, desire for liberation and meditation are the immediate factors of liberation for the aspirant. He who is endowed with these qualities attains immortality and knowledge. An aspirant should be as firm as Mount Meru, as free as the ether, as fragrant as the jasmine, as broad as the sky, as forbearing as the earth, as forgiving as parents, as radiant as the sun, as fearless as a lion, and as generous as Ranti Deva. Guru and Initiation 10 It is better if you get your Mantra from your Guru. This has a tremendous effect on the disciple. The Guru imparts his power along with the Mantra during the time of initiation. If you cannot get a suitable Guru, you can select any Mantra according to your own liking and taste and repeat mentally with faith and devotion. This also has a great purifying effect. You will attain the vision of God. Lord Shiva lived with Pattinathar for some time and yet the latter was not able to recognise the Lord. The Lord left a small note which contained the following message: Even the broken needles will not follow you after your death, and disappeared. This opened the eyes of Pattinathar and had the effect of a Guru s influence on him. Initiation, inspiration and knowledge depend on the aspirant s personal efforts. The Lord s Grace descends upon him at the proper time, when his patient and sustained struggle for Self-realisation is no longer necessary. Some, like Yogi Milarepa, have to serve their master arduously for a long time, whereas others get initiation in a flash. It depends upon the spiritual Sadhana and evolution of the aspirant. Yogi Milarepa underwent a series of struggles during his service of his Guru. He had to perform superhuman acts of heroism and bravery before he was initiated. Sages and Rishis

13 of yore put their students to severe trials before they took them into their confidence. They intuitively knew whether a student was fit for initiation or not. The neophytes were entrusted with the work of tending cattle, bringing fuel from the forest, washing the clothes of the Guru, and such other tasks which look like menial service in the eyes of present-day aspirants. To aspirants like Swetaketu, Indra, Satyakama and others, every act was an act of Yoga or worship of the Guru. To them nothing was menial. They dedicated everything to their Guru with an unselfish motive. Therefore, they attained purity of heart quickly, mastered the Vedas, and eventually got knowledge of the Supreme Self. Gautama chose four hundred lean and weak cows and asked Satyakama Jabala, his disciple, to tend them. He instructed him not to return before they had become a thousand in number. Satyakama lived in the forest for a long time. A few days prior to his return to his preceptor s Ashram, the gods, Vayu, Agni and Surya instructed him in the knowledge of Brahman. Gautama was quite astonished to see Satyakama shining with Brahmic splendour. Ashtavakra initiated Janaka in the twinkling of an eye. The gods initiated Khatwanga in a Muhurta. Some initiate their students through simple gazing. Sri Shankara inspired Totaka by means of his pure will. 11 Therefore, it depends upon the ability, capacity and purity of the aspirant to receive the Divine Grace, which elevates him to exalted heights of supreme joy and bliss. The aspirant should be ever watchful to receive spiritual instruction from whatever source it might come. Anyone who helps him in removing his ignorance is a guide. But he who hastens the aspirant s spiritual progress and takes a lively and keen interest in his evolution is the real Sadguru. Just see how Dattatreya attained knowledge of the Self even from insentient beings. The aspirant, before he desires the Grace of the Guru, should deserve it. The supply of Divine Grace comes only when there is a real thirst in the aspirant and when he is fit to receive it. A sage or saint like Sri Shankara or Madhusudan Saraswathi can initiate the aspirant in any particular path for which he is fit. The Guru will find out by a close study of the aspirant, his taste, temperament and capacity, and decide for him the most suitable Sadhana. If his heart is impure, the teacher will prescribe selfless service for a number of years. Then the Guru will find out for what particular path the student is fit and initiate him in that. A Bhakta can be initiated by a Bhakta saint in the path of devotion. A Vedantin can initiate a student of Vedanta in the Mahavakyas. A Hatha Yogi or a Raja Yogi can initiate another in that particular path. But

14 a sage of perfect Self-realisation, a full-blown Jnani or Yogi, can give initiation in any particular path. If a Bhakta saint is approached by an aspirant who wishes to tread the knowledge, the former may direct the aspirant to the proper Guru for initiation, because the Bhakta may not have had the Vedantic realisation of oneness. But a Jnani can initiate an aspirant in the path of devotion also because he has already realised the fruit of Saguna worship in the present or in a previous birth. It is very difficult to know the particular Yoga by which a Guru has reached perfection unless he himself reveals it to the aspirant out of compassion. No aspirant will be bold enough to put this question to his Guru lest he be considered impertinent. In the absence of a realized Sadguru, a senior aspirant who has trodden the spiritual path for a long time, who is above base desires, who has served his preceptor for a long time, and who is a Sannyasin also, can help a neophyte. If one is not able to find such an advanced aspirant, one can follow the teachings contained in the books written by realised saints like Sri Shankara, Dattatreya and others. He can keep a picture of such a realised Guru and worship it with faith and devotion. Gradually the aspirant will get inspiration and the Guru may appear in a dream and initiate and inspire the aspirant at the proper time. To a sincere Sadhaka help comes in a most mysterious manner. All the 12 circumstances become favourable very soon and he attains peace, bliss and immortality. After some time the disciple becomes like his Guru by following his instructions to the very letter. If the disciple does not follow his Master s instructions and acts in a contrary manner, according to his sweet will, he is not a disciple. A disciple is he who follows the instructions of the Guru to the letter and spirit, who till the end of his life propagates the teachings of the Guru to less evolved souls on the path. Blessed are such aspirants! Glory to such realised saints and sages! May the blessings of all Brahma Vidya Gurus, Bhagavatas and Yogins be upon you all! May you enjoy the bliss of immortality in this very birth! May you all worship your Guru with sincere devotion and earn his Grace!

15 The First Pearl Love and Work Love is the heart of religions, the theme of all classical works of art and literature and the song of all devotees. Scientists know only what love does...not what love is. Love can indeed empty our asylums, maybe all our hospitals. People suffer in life due to lack of love. Love is to human hearts what the sun is to flowers!! Love grows with knowledge of the beloved. To love, therefore, is to know... yet, to know is not necessarily to love. We may often give without love, but we can never love without giving. Love is at once noun and verb... Love is something to be sustained and fulfilled, by loving. By loving alone can love be made to grow and thrive. And our work is love made visible. When love is made to manifest, work is done. When we work only to produce profit or wages, work becomes crushing sweating, joyless labour. With love in our heart, let us put forth effort and flood the world with our work. ~Swami Chinmayananda 13

16 Dharma Sampradāya Swamini Vimalananda excerpted from Dharma published by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust Now let us understand the word Sampradāya. Sam + pra dāya = Sampradāya. That which is well and clearly given is sampradāya. It means a sect, creed or religion as the word is commonly understood). A sampradāya must mainly have the following characteristics: 1. It comes into being at a particular period of time due to various reasons 2. It is inspired or founded by an individual or a set of individuals 3. It follows certain scriptures inspired by or propounded by the individual 4. It follows a particular code of conduct A sampradāya deals with one or many aspects of dharma. The one who establishes it may or may not belong to a sampradāya e.g. Jesus was a Jew. A sampradāya is established due to: 1. the need of the time; e.g. Mohammed established Islam to bring a semblance of decency into the warring nomadic tribes. 2. decadence of the moral values in the society; e.g. Christianity emerged when Roman society was steeped in indulgence and pleasures. 3. as a reaction against another sampradāya; e.g the Protestants were against the traditional Roman Catholic Church. 4. so as to make the knowledge of dharma easily understandable and followable to even the common man; e.g. Swami Sahajananda started the Swaminarayana Sampradāya which is easy to follow. 14

17 Now we shall try to think about the two words Dharma and Sampradāya together. Dharma is one. Sampradāya can be and are many. Dharma is not founded by an individual, it is without a beginning. A sampradāya is founded by an individual. It is born and therefore shall perish. (jaatasya hi dhruvo mrityuh) that which is born shall perish Geeta. Dharma is eternal Sanātana. From the above discussions it can be clearly realised that all of us have one common Eternal Dharma. Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, Christianity, Swaminarayana, Pushti Mārga, etc. are all sampradāyas. They have one inspirer or founder e.g. Jesus, Mohammed etc. They follow a particular text e.g. the Bible, Koran etc. They follow a particular code of conduct e.g. Sunday Mass, Baptism, etc. Dharma by its very nature is bin sāmpradāyik (secular), Dharma however has the capacity to accommodate countless sampradāyas. It is the very base of all of them. No sampradāya has the capacity to encompass the entire Dharma in all its aspects. When we call a sampradāya a Dharma, a lot of misunderstandings and conflicts arise. We call Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Swaminarayan, etc. Dharma when they are in fact sampradāyas. Moreover, when we call Dharma as sampradāya we do great injustice to it. Sampradāyas arise from Dharma, exist in it and will get dissolved in it. So to say that the majority in India are Hindus is not strictly right. All humanity shares this Dharma. To club various sampradāyas together and call them a majority is also unfair since the various followers maintain their separate identity e.g. staunch Shaivites would not generally like to be identified with Vaishnavites. To give minority status to one sampradāya e.g. Muslims and deny the same to another e.g. Pushti Mārgis (followers of the sect started by Shri Vallabhacharya) is an injustice to the other. In fact in Bharat (India), Muslims as a sampradāya enjoy an overwhelming majority compared to most other sampradāyas except Christianity which is the second largest sampradāya. When a country s laws are based on the tenets of Dharma it is called a Dhārmik Rāj e.g. Rāma Rājya. When a country s laws are based on sampradāya or favour a sampradāya, then it is called a Sāmpradāyik Raj e.g. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim State. In a sāmpradāyik raj, there is either intolerance or injustice shown towards another sampradāya e.g. Serbs towards Muslims, or there is a total annihilation of another sampradāya e.g. the Shaivites were either killed or driven out by the Muslims from Kashmir. A sāmpradāyik raj gives no scope for another sampradāya to flourish under it s wings. On the other hand in 15

18 a dhārmik rāj all sampradāyas flourish and prosper e.g. Bhārat has been the birth place of so many sampradāyas (Jainism, Buddhism etc.). Many have come from outside and flourished (Islam, Parsis, Christianity etc.). Bhārat has the maximum number of Muslims in any country. Only those sampradāyas which are anti-dhārmic i.e. those which preach anti-social, anti-national views cannot be tolerated in a truly dhārmik rāj. For example at this time in India, over population is a long problem and Pakistan stands threateningly on its head. Any sampradāya that preaches its followers to produce greater numbers just to gain a majority or favours Pakistan should be called anti-dhārmic and all other sampradāyas must unite to change such anti-national views. Should Dharma enter politics? There is a trend amongst the so-called intellectuals that it should not. Dharma is that which integrates an individual, community or nation and provides a basis for harmonious living. Where there is no dharma, adharma (corruption, injustice, crive, etc.) prevails. This is what we see in every field of activity (education, politics etc.) in India and around the world. Yes, sāmpradāyik views would not enter into the politics of dhārmik rāj. This would pollute the very concepts of a dhārmik rāj e.g. in India, people of a particular sampradāya get money from the government to go on pilgrimage and time-off during working hours to conduct prayers, whilst the same is not given to another sampradāya. No Pushti Mārgi gets money from the government to visit Shrinathji or holiday on ekādashi (a holy day which occurs twice a month). This is pseudo-secularism which amounts to adharma. Now let us think on the words Philosophy and Religion in the context of the dharma. What is their relationship? Is dharma the same as philosophy or religion? Or do they enjoy a part-whole relationship? Dharma contains both philosophy and religion, and religion and philosophy do not have a part-whole relationship. Philosophy basically contains the knowledge of the essential relation of the living beings, the world and its Creator (Jīva - Jagat - īśvara). It also encompasses the transactional relation, the Law of Karma, Theory of creation and Universal values. In our Hindu culture Philosophy is called darshan and philosophic or spiritual texts are called Darshan Shastras. 16 Religion is the knowledge of the application of values, duties, code of conduct, do s and don ts, spiritual

19 practices (sādhanās),rites and rituals etc. These may or should change according to the time, place and circumstances; e.g. the concept of brahma muhurat auspicious time of arising --4 a.m.) cannot be valid at the North Pole. One cannot afford or help society by having four wives and ten children in a country like Bhārat. Each sampradāya too has a philosophy and a religion. Some are predominantly religious. Some others lay equal emphasis on both in their basic teachings. Philosophy provides the vision to view the individual-world-creator (Jīva - Jagat - īśvara) relationship and religion teaches us the way to live life. When philosophy alone is given predominance by its proponents, the sampradāya becomes impractical. The followers merely talk big but their behaviour leaves much to be desired. If religion alone is given dominance then such a sampradāya produces religious fanatics, narrow minded and blind believers. If however, one lives a religious life with a philosophic view, one can become truly dharmic. Now we enquire, if dharma includes both philosophy and religion, do we really need a sampradāya? Why create differences to know the one? This has already been touched upon. In the vast scope of Dharma, the common man gets confused and is unable to make the right choices for his individual progress nor does he have the vision of his role in the complex world around him. The masses need to be guided with simple, healthy views and rules to help their progress. For instance, since the Hindu was given a choice of going to the temple, Yogasanas (yogic postures), worship (puja), meditation (dhyāna), repetition of the Lord s name (japa), etc. as their daily early morning routine, in sheer indifference or confusion they chose nothing, or sometimes not according to their temperament. They deprived themselves of the great spiritual benefit of these spiritual practices (sādhanās) and in the process almost lost their rich heritage. Hence a sampradāya does guide an individual or society towards progress and unity. But as Swami Vivekananda said, It is good to be born in a sampradāya but not to die in one. One must finally uplift oneself towards that Truth beyond sampradāya which is called Supreme (Parama) Dharma. 17

20 Inspired Leadership Swami Chinmayananda from Mananam Series on Values in the Workplace The leaders of humanity have a very subtle duty in life. They take upon themselves the difficult task of guiding the masses. to such dedicated men-of-action, Lord Krishna puts in a word of warning so that they may not cause any harm through excessive enthusiasm: Let no wise man unsettle the minds of the ignorant people who are attached to action: let him engage them in all actions, himself fulfilling them with devotion. (Bhagavad Gītā, 3:26) A society is not built overnight through magic incantation. Time and tradition alone build up the strength and beauty of society. It is influenced both by the world-plan around and the personality-plan within. This scheme of things should not be suddenly altered. The art of guiding humanity without disrupting the existing harmony is well brought out by Lord Krishna in His note of warning to leaders in all fields. A true leader should fall in line with the generation, and slowly and steadily guide people to act in the right direction by setting an example for them to follow. 18

21 It is dangerous to unsettle the faith of the generation. Violent revolutions deform the character of the individual. History is replete with examples, where, in the excitement and enthusiasm following the discovery of new ideals, leaders have miscalculated the strength of the masses and have been destroyed by the very emotions and passions invoked by them earlier. Krishna says that the best way to bring about a renaissance is by having the leaders of society express the Divinity in themselves, and thus attract a following. By precept and practice, the masses should be gradually guided toward the right path. If one wants to be a good leader, one s first attempt should be to cultivate equanimity and poise within oneself, qualities that will raise one above the dualities in nature. The same in honor and dishonor, the same to friend and foe: abandoning all undertakings... he is said to have crossed beyond the gunas. (Bhagavad Gītā, 14:25) Such a karma yogin crosses over and reaches beyond the shackles of the guna: sattva, rajas, and tamas. From such a noble person emanate the divine qualities of harmlessness, truth, renunciation, and fortitude. Having transcended the dualities, such a person is equally disposed towards friends and enemies; towards the indifferent neutrals and the hateful; towards relatives, both the righteous and the unrighteous. When such noble leaders come forward to act in a spirit of co-operation and self-dedication, they release the community from its abject poverty, its harrowing sorrows, and from all the shackles of its ignorance, superstitions, and stupidities. 19

22 To arrive at such a balance within ourselves, and work in a spirit of dedication we have to free ourselves from attachment to the objects around us. Only in a mind freed from all its egocentric burden, will calmness, poise, and equanimity take root. If universal love is to be cultivated, the sense of I-ness and my-ness should be burned away. Then comes the realization that his embodiment is only an instrument to carry out His will and must be carefully tuned to receive His grace. The following qualities belong to the one born to the Divine Estate, says Krishna: Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in the Yoga of Knowledge, alms-giving, control of the senses, sacrifice, study of the Scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness, harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion to beings, non-covetousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickle-mindedness, vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, absence of pride... these belong to the one born for the Divine Estate, O Bharata. (Bhagavad Gītā, XVI:1-3) A Glorious Example As a leader, even after entering the vast field of work, one should not neglect one s obligatory duties. Such duties include those demanded of one s social status or domestic situation. As an example, Krishna points out to Arjuna the noble life of King Janaka, who set up a glorious example for his generation to follow. Because, Whatever a great man does, other men imitate. Whatever he sets up as the standard that the world follows, (Bhagavad Gītā, 3:21) 20

23 Leaders should keep this in mind at all times and should engage in perfect actions that are well worth initiating. Illiterate masses who listen to the thundering eloquence of their leaders on platforms may not often understand the full import of their ideals, but they feel and appreciate the behavior and attitude of the leaders in society. These millions copy the decorum set as a standard by the leaders, not by their words but by their actions, and we know that these millions form the nation. Therefore, the rebuilding of a society or a country can be achieved only through the integrated character of its leaders. The true and vibrant personality capable of such achievements has been beautifully depicted by Krishna. After due considerations, when one has put on the leader s mantle, one s first allegiance should be to the ideals one stands for. The ideals should be such that they inspire the masses to sink their mutual difference, work together, and strive with enthusiasm, bringing out mysterious qualities and quantities of dynamism in their individual endeavors to try to build unity and harmony. Amid the apparent diversity of work performed by each, there should not be any discordant notes. Each action should be so perfect that it brings more and more peace and harmony into the environment. Only such actions can compose right service and come to reflect true dedication. One purges oneself of the accumulated burden of vāsanā through such actions. Through one s constant attunement with the higher and the nobler, one chastens one s personality. Such a polished personality is the right vehicle to work in this world of change and endless problems, for achieving success and happiness for generations to come. 21

24 Swami Tejomayananda 22

25 Fremont Bala Vihar Locations Washington High School 38442, Fremont Blvd. Saturdays: 1:30 pm Contact: Lakshmi Prakash / (510) Danville/ California High School San Ramon/ 9870 Broadmoor Drive/San Ramon, CA EAST BAY Saturdays: 4:30 pm Contact: Meena Kapadia / (925) San Jose Lincoln High School 555 Dana Avenue, San Jose Sunday: Session I-9:00am, Session II-10:30am, Session III-11:45 am Contact: Uma / (650) Shiva Abhisheka & Puja at Sandeepany San Jose Conducted by Mission Members Time: 7:30-8:30 pm / Every 2nd Monday of the month Swaranjali Youth Choir San Jose Choir sessions are held every alternate Sundays between 2:00-4:00 p.m. Venue: Sandeepany / San Jose Teachers: Prema Sriram, Jaya Krishnan, and Jayashree Ramkumar Contact: Prema Sriram: NANSUK@aol.com Those who are interested in joining the choir as a vocalist or musicians may please contact Prema at the address above. Danville/ San Ramon/east bay Choir sessions are held once every two weeks, Saturdays at 2:00pm - 3:00pm Venue: California High School 9870 Broadmoor Drive, San Ramon, CA Teacher: Shailaja Dixit / Contact: Shailaja at (925) Those who are interested in joining the choir as a vocalist or musicians may please contact Shailaja at the above number. Fremont Choir is held weekly on Saturdays, 12 noon - 1:00 pm Venue: Washington High School / Fremont Teachers: Natana Valiveti and Rajashri Iyengar Contact: Natana at natana@yahoo.com Those who are interested in joining the choir as a vocalist or musicians may please contact Natana at the above address. 23

26 Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra and Language Classes LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL 555 Dana Avenue, San Jose Bala Vihar is in three sessions. Grades KG 4: 10:30-11:45 a.m. Grades 5 12: 9:00-10:15 a.m. Language classes: 11:45-12:45 p.m. Gita Chanting classes: 9:30-10:00 a.m. 10:30-11:00 a.m. 12:45-1:15 p.m. Adult lectures by Br. Prabodhji, are held in the Media Room. All details are posted on Website: All parents will receive announcements with regard to changes. The Parking Lot is on Dana Avenue and you can walk from the parking lot to the class-rooms. We are renting this facility from San Jose Unified School District. We are currently using 26 classrooms in three sessions. I appreciate all the parents, some of you who are driving your children from as far North as Redwood City to San Jose. You will find it very rewarding as you see your children grow up with Hindu Heritage, moulding them into young adults. We want the best for our children. Fremont: Classes will begin on Sept. 11, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Classes include BalaVihar/Yuva Kendra, Gita Chanting, Languages and Dance classes. Vedanta Classes for Adults are also offered. san ramon/east bay: Classes will begin on Sept. 11, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. Classes include Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra, Languages, Swaranjali (Youth Choir). Vedanta Classes for Adults are also offered. We have 1540 children enrolled in our program from our three centers since enrollment started school year. I wish to thank all the volunteers who areteachers, Co-Teachers and Youth Helpers teaching and assisting in the different classes. It takes more than teachers to organize these programs at San Jose Lincoln High, Fremont Washington High, and California High School. Parent Volunteers and CMSJ Volunteers organize setting up, Book-Store, Snacks, Lecture Halls etc. Our sincere thanks to all the many dedicated volunteers. 24

27 Bhakti Rasamrutam (The sweet essence of Devotion) Swaranjali, Chinmaya Youth Choir, has produced 10 CDs containing 100 Bhajans, glorifying the Lord in many Indian Languages. The Bhajans are rendered by 15 students of Swaranjali, with devotion, an offering to the Lord as their contribution to the New Building Project. Choir participants who sang on the Bhaktirasamrutam album were trained by Prema Sriram, Jaya Krishnan and Jayshree Ramkumar. The CD is entitled, Bhakti Rasamrutam, the sweet essence of Devotion. All details on this CD are posted on our web-site, chinmaya-sanjose.org. This is a rare gift which is very inspirational and uplifting. The proceeds from the CDs will add to our Fund-raising efforts. Thanks to all who contributed their time and talents to the production of the CD. 25

28 Kids' Own Magazine... BalViHar Parents... This is a monthly magazine published by Central Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai for Children. It is packed with stories, puzzles, arts and craft ideas, children s contributions of essays, riddles, games, and much more. You can subscribe to it directly. The annual subscription is $30 and you will receive it monthly by air. We suggest that you subscribe in your child s name so your child will have the pleasure of receiving his or her own magazine from India. Make your checks payable to Central Chinmaya Mission Trust and mail it to: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai , India Gita Chanting Classes for Children by Mallika Subramanian San Jose: Lincoln High School / Every Sunday Contact: (408) Fremont: Washington High School / Every Saturday Contact: (510) San Ramon/East Bay: California High School Every Saturday (3:15pm - 4:15pm) Contact: (510)

29 Our thanks to all our Sponsor families who have continued to support us for many years and to all Member families who have found our programs to benefit their children thereby supporting us. We have room for more Sponsors and Members. Please invite your friends to join the larger Chinmaya Family of the Bay Area. CMSJ SPONSORSHIP... Annual Contribution $500 CMSJ MEMBERSHIP... Annual Contribution $200 Chinmaya - Tej... Annual CT Sponsors $300 Chinmaya - Tej... Annual Subscription $50 (Receive Chinmaya-Tej only) Tapovan Prasad 27 A Monthly Spiritual of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide Published by Chinmaya Chinmaya Mission Worldwide It is Internationally acclaimed Publication filled with articles and reports that are inspiring and educational. Hindus living all over the world keep in touch with their spiritual heritage through Tapovan Prasad. Annual Subscription by Airmail: US $25 (12 issues) Make checks payable to Tapovan Prasad, and mail to Chinmaya Mission No.2, 13th Ave., Harrington Rd, Chetput, Chennai, , India

30 Scheme of Study for Chinmaya Study Groups, US 1. Self Unfoldment 2. Tattva bodh 3. Bhaja Govindam 4. Atma bodh 5. Manah Shodhanam 6. Upadesa Saram 7. Narada Bhakti Sutra 8. Meditation and Life 9. Bhagavad Gita Introduction Ch.1 & Jnanasarah 11. Kenopanishad 12. Gita, Ch Dyanaswaroopam 14. Kaivalya Upanishad 15. Gita, Ch Isavasya Upanishad 17. Gita, Ch Bhakti Sudha 19. Gita, Ch Mundaka Upanishad 21. Gita, Ch Sat Darshan 23. Vivekachoodamani Vedanta Study Groups held in the BAY Area are listed in this issue of Chinmaya Tej and YOU may contact them if YOU wish TO join a Study Group. 28

31 Community Outreach Program Seva Opportunities Chinmaya Mission San Jose San jose Are You Willing to Volunteer or Just Sponsor the Program? If yes, please call Krishna Bhamre: (408) or We need volunteers for preparing and serving Hot Meals for the Homeless. Lunch bags are prepared at Los Altos Community Center. All Youth volunteers are required to sign up with Krishna Bhamre. Meals For The Homeless Program: Served at San Jose s Emergency Housing Consortium at Orchard Drive off Curtner Avenue (Adult & Youth Volunteers & Sponsors). Fremont Fremont BV sponsors Sandwiches For The Needy. On the 2nd Saturday/Washington High School in Fremont. Parents of Bala Vihar and the kids prepare 70 Sandwiches, bag them and provide chips, fruit and juice. The Sandwiches are delivered to the Tricity Homeless Coalition, where they are served to adults and children. The Shelter is located on 588 Brown Road, Fremont, CA In addition, last Christmas, Fremont Bala Vihar donated new blankets, sweaters, sweat shirts, and infant warm clothes etc. to the homeless at the shelter. 29

32 Vedanta Study Groups Adult Sessions Concord: Bhagavad Gita, Ch. 8 Sevak: Vipin Kapadia Contact: Meena Kapadia (925) Time: 7:30 p.m. (Wed.) Cupertino: Kathopanishad Sevak: Sreeharsha Contact : Ram Mohan (408) Time: 7:30 pm (Thur.) Fremont: Viveka Chudamani Sevika: Priya Batheja Contact: Priya Batheja (510) Time: 7:30 pm (Mon.) Los Altos: Bhagavad Gita Ch. 3 Sevak: Uma Jeyarasasingam Contact: Ruchita Parat (650) Time: 7:30 p.m. (Mon.) Milpitas Vivekachudamani Sevika: Uma Jeyarasasingam Contact: Suma Venkatesh (408) Time: 7:30 pm (Tue.) Mountain House: Self-Unfoldment Sevika: Padmaja Joshi Contact: Padmaja Joshi (209) Time: 8:00p.m. (Wed.) San Jose: Bhagawad Gita Ch. 2 Sevak: Jayaram Reddy Contact: Krishna Reddy (408) Time: 8:00 pm (Wed.) Satsangs with Br. Prabodh Chaitanya All events are from: 8:00-9:00pm 1st Friday of each month: Kirtida & Kamalesh N. Ruparell Text: ABC s of Vedanta Ph: (408) nd Friday of each month: Geetha & Sanjay Rao Text: Srimad Bhagavatam - Kapil Gita Ph: (408) rd Friday of each month: Sweta & Jnan Ranjan Dash, Almaden Text: Aparokshanubhooti Ph: (408)

33 All classes held weekly unless otherwise stated San Jose Clayton Facility Self Unfoldment Sevak: Venkatesh Srinivasan Contact: Ramana Vakkalagadda (408) Time: 8:00 pm (Fri.) San Ramon Bhagavad Gita, Ch 6 Sevak: Bela Pandya Contact: Sireesha Balabadra (925) Time: 7:30 p.m. (Wed.) San Ramon/Calif HS Bhagavad Gita, Ch 7 Sevak: Vipin Kapadia Contact: Vipin Kapadia (925) Time: 3:15 p.m. (Sat.) Saratoga: Self-Unfoldment Sevak: Kalpana Jaswa Contact: Kalpana Jaswa (408) Time: 7:30pm (Thur.) Redwood City: Bhagvad Gita, Ch. 6 Sevak: Sreeharsha Contact: Sunil Jeswani (650) Time: 7:30 pm (Fri.) Walnut Creek: Bhagavad Gita Ch. 4 Sevak: Vipin Kapadia Contact: Rakesh Bhutani (925) Time: 9:30 am (Sun.) Prabodhji's Classes at Bala Vihar Locations Fremont: Session 1:30-3 pm Bhagavad Gita Ch 3 Danville: 4:30-6 pm Gitas from Tulsi Ramayana San Jose: Session 1: 9 am Bhagavad Gita Ch 11 session 2: 10:3 am Gitas from Tulsi Ramayana Prabodhji's Classes at Sandeepany Mondays: 10-11:30 am Sri Ramacaritamanas Wednesdays: 10-11:45 am Kenopanishad (followed by Sanskrit class) Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:30-7:30 am Mandukya Upanishad Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30-8:30 pm Brhadaranyaka Upanishad Saturdays: 6:30-8:30 am. Guided Meditation and Taittiriya Upanishad 31

34 Itinerary for Swami Tejomayananada Late Summer 2011 Date Location/Event Phone July 29 - Aug 3 Chinmaya Mission (1-630) Chicago Mahasamadhi Camp Gita Ch. 9, Jnana Sara 4 Aug - 8 Aug Reserved 9 Aug - 13 Aug Switzerland (41) Aviva Keller Asylstr 102 Zurich Aug - 19 Aug Norway (47) R Alexander Medin Bygdoy Allé 16 Oslo 0262 Norway 21 Aug - 23 Aug Central Chinmaya MissionTrust (91-22) Saki Vihar Rd., Powai, Mumbai Maharashtra, India 24 Aug - 29 Aug Chinmaya Gardens (91-422) Siruvani Main Rd., Nallur Vayal PO Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu, India 30 Aug - 10 Sep Central Chinmaya MissionTrust (91-22) Saki Vihar Rd., Powai, Mumbai Maharashtra, India 32

35 Live morality before you talk of it. Practise meditation before you preach it. Taste goodness before you recommend it. Gain bliss before you offer it to others. ~ Swami Chinmayananda Join the Chinmaya Family as SPONSORS We invite you to join our Sponsorship program so that you can help us to promote, sustain and continue to teach adults and children, alike, the Hindu Dharma which is our Heritage. Chinmaya Mission began its service to the Hindu Community some 20 years ago in the Bay Area.We are funded by public contributions. Your contribution, as a Sponsor, goes towards the operation of Sandeepany. Many families who are taking part in the various classes that we offer to adults and children, have enrolled themselves as Sponsors. They enjoy many benefits and become an integral part of the spiritual family at Sandeepany. Sponsorship is an annual contribution of $500 per family. The donation is tax deductible and can also be paid bi-annually, quarterly or monthly. What Do Our Sponsors Receive? They enjoy all the classes offered at Sandeepany Schools for adults and children. They will receive the journal, MANANAM and the bi-monthly Newsletters: Chinmaya Tej and CMW Newsletter. Sponsors are invited to attend Weekend Retreats held periodically at Sandeepany. United Way Contributions Your contributions to United Way can now be designated to Chinmaya Mission San Jose (United Way I.D. No ). The Mission is enrolled to receive such contributions with United Way Agency in Santa Clara. Chinmaya Family would like to thank you for your support.

36 Directions to Sandeepany San Jose If travelling South on 101 Take Guadalupe Expressway Exit Then go past the airport about two (2) miles and get off at Park Ave. exit At the bottom of the ramp, and at the light, make a right turn If travelling South on 280 Take the Meridian North Exit Go to Park Ave. and make a right turn If travelling South on 880 Take the 280 exit to San Jose Get off at the Meridian North Exit Go to Park Ave. and make a right turn If travelling South on 680 Get off at Race Street Exit At the bottom of the ramp, at the light, make a right turn Go to Park Ave. (3rd light) and make a right 1050 Park Avenue San Jose, CA Ph. (408) Fax (408) Chinmaya Mission San Jose Sandeepany San Jose Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Piercy, CA