VEDANTA SOCIETY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 2323 Vallejo Street (at Fillmore) San Francisco, CA 94123

Swami Tattwamayananda, Minister and Spiritual Teacher Ramakrishna Order of India

JANUARY 2018SUNDAY LECTURES: 11 A.M. January 21: “Hymns from the Vedas – I” Swami Tattwamayananda January 28: “Hymns from the Vedas – II” Swami Tattwamayananda

WEDNESDAY VESPERS: 7:30 P.M. Worship, Devotional Singing, and Meditation Every Wednesday evening in January.

PATANJALI’S YOGA SUTRAS FRIDAYS, 7:30 P.M. Vivekananda Hall Classes will resume on January 26.

WINTER RETREAT: JANUARY 6 – 7, 2018 “JOURNEY TO INFINITE LIFE ACCORDING TO THE KATHA UPANISHAD” BY SWAMI TATTWAMAYANANDA Vivekananda Hall Please RSVP by Jan. 3 at sfvedanta.org

Sri Sarada Devi’s Birthday & New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 10 a.m. Please see the invitation on the next page. Swami Vivekananda’s Birthday Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m. We will observe Swamiji’s birthday on January 13. The program will include worship, chanting, meditation, devotional singing, readings on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, flower offerings by devotees, and a prasad luncheon. Swami Brahmananda’s Birthday Friday, January 19, 7:30 p.m. After the worship and meditation, there will be readings from the teachings of Swami Brahmananda, flower offerings by devotees, and refreshments.

New Temple

WINTER RETREAT January 6 ‒ 7, 2018

Vivekananda Hall, New Temple San Francisco

“JOURNEY TO INFINITE LIFE According to the Katha Upanishad”

Saturday Discussion Sessions: 10 – 11:30 a.m. & 3 – 4:30 p.m.

Sunday Discussion Session: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Meditation will follow each morning session.

Please RSVP by Jan. 3: www.sfvedanta.org Thank you.

Wednesday evenings: Vespers & Meditation 7:30 – 8:15 p.m.

Devotional Singing, Worship, and Meditation

January 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 ______________________

A CLASS on Vedantic scriptures is conducted on Fridays by Swami Tattwamayananda at 7:30 p.m. in Vivekananda Hall. The topic for study is: “Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.” Class resumes on January 26.

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Saturday, January 13, 2018

— P R O G R A M — 10:00 a.m.

Formal Worship Swami Tattwamayananda

11:00 a.m. Devotional Singing

Led by Men’s and Women’s Choirs

11:45 a.m. Readings from the Life and Teachings of

Sri Sarada Devi

12:30 p.m. Flower Offerings by Devotees

Prasad Luncheon

SWAMI BRAHMANANDA’S BIRTHDAY � Friday, January 19, 7:30 p.m. �

Worship will be performed in Swami Brahmananda’s honor at the New Temple at half past seven in the evening. After the worship and meditation, there will be readings from the teachings of Swami Brahmananda and flower offerings by devotees. Refreshments (prasad) will be served.

SUNDAY SCHOOL. Classes are held on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon for children in first grade through high school to give them a general knowledge of Vedanta, to acquaint them with the basic teachings of the major living religions, and to inspire reverence for the great religious teachers of the world. Parents wishing to enroll their children are invited to speak to the secretary of the Society. Classes resume on January 21.

TEMPLE HOURS. The temple is open daily for meditation from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Tuesdays the temple is closed. INTERVIEWS with Swami Tattwamayananda may be scheduled by those who wish to know more about Vedanta. Specific instruction and guidance are given by the swami to anyone who earnestly desires to undertake spiritual practice. Those wishing to make appointments with the swami may do so by speaking with him after the services, by telephoning 415-922-2323, or by e-mailing: tattwa@sfvedanta.org. THE SRI SARADA LIBRARY will reopen on Sunday, January 15, and will be open on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., following the lecture, and at other times by appointment. BOOKSHOP HOURS Mondays: 11 a.m. ‒ 5 p.m. Tuesdays: CLOSED Wednesdays ‒ Saturdays: 11 a.m. ‒ 5 p.m. Sundays: 1 ‒ 5 p.m. The bookshop carries translations of principal Vedantic scriptures, books on Vedanta and other world religions, and children’s books. A large selection of books, incense, photos, etc., may be ordered online at sfvedanta.org. At present, more than 1400 titles are available. Orders may also be placed by phone or fax. E-mail: books@sfvedanta.org.

To view or listen to lectures, classes, and retreats, please visit:

YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/user/SFVedanta

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/sfvedanta

LIVESTREAM http://livestream.com/sfvedanta

Old Temple 2963 Webster Street

The Old Temple is still undergoing renovation with a few finishing touches remaining in the interior. However, since mid-September, Sunday school is being held there once again.

Vedanta Retreat Olema, Marin County

The Society’s retreat provides an opportunity to spiritual seekers of all faiths to meditate and study in a secluded area of meadows and forests away from the disturbances of urban life.

The retreat is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please visit our website: www.sfvedanta.org.

ABOVE IS THE EMBLEM of the Ramakrishna Order depicting the union of the four paths by which the Supreme Being may be realized. The waves are symbolic of unselfish action; the lotus, love of God; the rising sun, knowledge; the serpent, awakening of spiritual power; and the swan, the Supreme Self.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘God reveals himself to a devotee who feels drawn to him by the combined force of these three attractions: the worldly man’s attraction for possessions, the child’s attraction for its mother, and the husband’s attraction for his chaste wife.’ What does this mean? It means that when intense longing for God replaces all worldly desires of the mind, one realizes him and gets his vision and divine touch. Sri Krishna said in the Gita, ‘Abandoning all duties, take refuge in me alone.’ [18.66]

Self-surrender, self-surrender, self-surrender—there is no other way. In this kali yuga [iron age] human beings are short-lived and depend on food. They have to do many things in this short span of life. People have very little energy, strength, renunciation, forbearance, or courage. Their minds are weak and they naturally run after enjoyments. In spite of all these handicaps, one will have to realize God. Otherwise this precious life will pass in vain without one’s accomplishing anything. Surrender to God and wait for his grace—that is the easiest way in this age.

What do we understand by the word self-surrender? Does it mean that we do not have to do anything—that we may sit idly without moving our hands or feet? No, it is not so. One should always sincerely pray: ‘O Lord, I do not know what is good and what is bad. I am solely dependent on you. Grant me all that I need. Take me along the path that will bring me the greatest good. Grant me purity and strength so that I may have constant recollectedness of you.’

Is it so easy to surrender oneself to God? Verbally many say: ‘We have surrendered ourselves to God. We are doing what he is making us do.’ But when we observe their lives, we see that their actions are quite contrary to what they say. If they do anything good, they take the credit for it

themselves. They say with pride, ‘We did it, we did it.’ But if there is any mishap, they blame God and say, ‘He is giving us trouble and suffering.’ Most people behave this way.

We judge people by seeing their exteriors, but God is all-knowing, and he looks into their minds. He rushes to that person who calls on him sincerely even once. Be simple. Unite your mind and speech. There is no partiality in his kingdom. . . .

There is no dearth of divine grace. People are not eager to receive God’s grace, nor have they eyes to see his mercy. They only speak big words. Who wants God? Many people spend their lives talking high philosophy, but few practice religion. ‘Gurus are available by hundreds, but rare indeed is a true disciple.’ There are many people around to give advice, but who will follow it? Miseries and doubts cease for that person who follows the teachings of his guru with faith and love. He will not have to run here and there with a restless mind. God supplies all his needs and guides him in the right direction, holding his hand. There need be no anxiety for the one who has been blessed in this way.

One among millions of people is endowed with noble desires, sublime thoughts, and good qualities. And again among such great souls only a few can stick to their ideals to the last. Those persons in whose minds good thoughts have already sprung up should try their utmost to strengthen them and make them permanent. Pray unceasingly: ‘Lord, bestow your grace on me. Give me strength so that I can realize you.’

– Swami Brahmananda Belur Math, 1914

A Guide to Spiritual Life, pp. 66-68