Chinmaya Mission Tri State Center, Cranbury NJ
Chinmaya Vrindavan in Cranbury, NJ was blessed to host Swami Ishwaranandaji for 3 days of spiritual immersion from April 20th to April 22nd 2017. During the morning pravachans for the Vrindavan Devi group on Thursday and Friday, Swamiji expounded on the concluding verses of the honey laden composition Mukunda Mala by Kulashekhara Alwar. Describing Lord Krishna as the only one capable of protecting us, Swamiji pointed out that the Lord must ever be the subject in every single transaction of our lives; that our spiritual practice starts with considering our own soul as most sacred by invoking Him within ourselves.
The highlight of Swamiji’s visit was The Life of I – journey from i to I – three day workshop, which commenced with an introduction on Thursday evening. Friday evening began with the workshop format, where Swamiji created 6 groups of 20 each, giving each two questions related to the practice of karma yoga. After a lively discussion of their understanding based on reading the book as well as personal experiences, each group presented answers to the entire audience. Having thus put us in the zone to receive deeper learning, Swamiji then explained karma yoga in his unique and engaging style, elevating the sadhaka’s understanding of sadhya and sadhana, kriya and karma. Swamiji stressed the importance of karthavya karma at every stage of life to guard ourselves against indulging in kamya karma that has the tendency to transgress into the realm of the unethical or unlawful. Swamiji also discussed the shortcomings of selfless action in the absence of a higher goal, and how our vasanas that lead us to action, are also in turn impacted by our actions.
On Saturday morning, the group discussion on bhakti yoga was followed by Swamiji’s talk which began with the hard hitting truth that the transition from karma to bhakti is a dramatic change. Swamiji emphasized that belief is the starting point and faith is the journey or the path towards God Realization, and only with this goal can idol worship transcend to ideal worship. Swamiji assured us that whatever we do externally as worship will cleanse us internally. Subsequently, the groups broke out for Dhyana yoga and Jnana yoga discussions. Swamiji’s clear and logical explanations on the conscious, sub-conscious and unconscious mind, and the role each plays in our thought processes was eye-opening. Swamiji presented concrete means to overcome our vasanas and thereby protect our knowledge from draining away. Swamiji concluded that the path of realization does not belong exclusively to any one marga, a sadhaka will go through all four paths to reach the goal. Swamiji explained that ultimately through contemplation, knowledge and experience, buddhi awakens from the aham karta bhava, destroying the ego.
The workshop was attended by about 150 people at various stages of exposure to Vedanta. Everyone participated enthusiastically in the discussions and expressed sincere gratitude to Swamiji for this opportunity. In addition, bhiksha with Swamiji offered devotees a chance to interact in smaller intimate settings to clear their lingering doubts. Swamiji’s humor laden word play to make abstract concepts more relatable, will be remembered fondly by all. Chinmaya Vrindavan is eagerly awaiting Swamiji’s next visit.