June SRV News

New Wisdom Releases!

Divine MotherDivine Mother Discourse

This latest Discourse set from SRV Associations is selected from the best of Babaji Bob Kindler’s classes on the Divine Mother of the Universe, Her Wisdom and Grace, and on Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi.

“This is a very dear and reverent tribute to the Divine Mother and Her many Wisdom teachings.  Babaji provides a rich presentation of Her message via scriptural reference, accounts of mythological stories, worship, and devotional song.  He makes all this beautiful knowledge accessible to our westerrn minds.”

“For lovers of Divine Mother, and new students on the path, the discourse ‘Divine Mother and Her Wisdom’ is a tremendous gift.  Babaji has composed a symphony of words based upon ancient teachings and images of Divine Mother, initiating a design for our lives in present times.”

At a Glance: Babaji’s Teaching Schedule in July

Download flyer or year schedule SF=San Francisco, PD=Portland Morning MeditationSF — 6 to 7am daily.PD — please call for times.Arati Satsangs @ 7pmSF — July 8, 11, 12 [F, M, Tu]PD— July 29 [F] Classes @ 9:30am, SvetashvataropanisadSF — July 9 & 10 [Sat, Su]PD—July 23, 24, 30 & 31 [Sat, Su]SRV Pujas on SaturdaysSF — July 9 @ 7:00pmPD …

God as Mother

Matthew, Mom, and OlympiaToday is May 7th and we are blessed with the presence of four beautiful children, ages 6 to 10 years, in the SRV San Francisco ashram.  The children’s class on spirituality will be centered on the aspect of God as Mother. Respect of Mother, Love of Mother — the Mother of the Universe! It is an auspicious teaching all in its own, for after all tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

Satsang with Babaji

rishikeshStudent:  What is relative free will?
Babaji:  Most people have a hard time with this.  They think in terms of choice.  Ramana Maharishi says there is no free will.  Relatively speaking, there is no free will.  There may be choice based upon relative free will, but the problem with choice is that it is all wound up with karma and samskaras.  Anyone who does not believe in reincarnation cannot adequately explain cause and effect.

Spring 2011

dahliaClass Notes from Babaji’s May visit to California and Oregon

Purifying the Mind
Mind, when it ceases to vibrate, is Brahman.  Sri Ramakrishna has said that pure mind is God.  Lord Buddha states that pure mind is Buddha Mind. Ordinary mind is finite….but “from the infinite the finite has come….”

Faster than sound is light.  Faster than light is the speed of the mind, of thought.  But Brahman “outstrips all that runs…”

We must tune this mind to be swift, to return to Original Mind, Buddha Mind.  If pure mind is God, then it must be that impure mind is not God.  Therefore, impure mind is the only thing standing in our way.  So we have to purify the mind.  This is where sadhana comes in, a great necessity.  When you purify the mind then it is nothing more than Pure Consciousness.

Wisdom in Practice

Preparation Sarada is sweeping.Thatch to shoo the monkey mind; nonsense of the day.Split reed to break the cycles of habit; layers of boundaries; years of doubt.Golden stick to strike fear and desire; feelings alive in the darkest corner.She does her hardest work there. from Suprema

Upcoming Retreat

2011 Summer Retreat with Babaji 12th Annual (at least!) American River Retreat – July 15 – 21Dharma, Svadharma, & Beyond DharmaAn ongoing tradition in the SRV fold, which has seen many souls, young and old, partake of its rare gifts, the summer retreat near the American River in Forest Hill, California, will again bless us with wisdom teachings correlative to …

Seminar 2011: The Upanisads are Vedanta

dahliaSpring Weekend Seminar with Babaji Bob Kindler

Student’s Reflection and Notes
One of the indelible parts of this retreat for me was to learn that many of the 97 “minor” upanisads (out of 108) in the Vedas incorporate what we have come to know as Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. Many are given the names of the Deities and some Incarnations as well, suggesting an element of Tantra. As Babaji stated in classes this visit, the rishis had a deep love of Yoga.

rkstories: toc

An Extensive Anthology of Sri Ramakrishna’s Stories Table of Contents Introduction            xxiii Part 1—Eternal Principles I            Brahman            3II           Shakti            37III          Ishvara            53 IV           Maya            75V            Guru            95  VI           Truth            127VII          Grace            131VIII         Samadhi            139IX           Unity            175X            Divine Love            183XI            Universality            199XII           Form and Formlessness            213XIII         Predestination and Auspicious Timing            227XIV         Karma and Reincarnation            239XV           God and the World            …