When the teachings of Vedanta are encountered by a soul that is ripe and ready to hear these Eternal Truths, an irresistible attraction ensues which draws the devotee ever deeper into this sublime philosophy.  By way of illustration, Sri Ramakrishna once narrated an amusing and interesting story: “One day a farmer was working in his garden.  When he stopped to …

Namaste SRV students, devotees, and blessed readers of Munda Mala: We find ourselves at the beginning of another Spring season, brooking an auspicious Gaudapada Karika Retreat on the Columbia River Gorge in late May.  The transmigrating collective mind of humanity floats in such teachings of Nonduality, and in other precious ethers of dharmic consistency; it is all a matter of …

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Transmuting Poison to Nectar Aloha to all friends, members, students, initiates, and devotees of SRV: As we settle into the bardo called 2014, our first opportunity to congregate this year as a truth-seeking sangha is also upon us. I will attend on the West Coast ashrams from mid-February to mid-March, and I come bearing gifts. We have three new ripe …

The world of Vedanta and cosmology lost a good friend in January. John Dobson was a devoted student and proponent of Advaita Vedanta. John spent twenty three years living in the Hollywood Vedanta Center as a monk in the Ramakrishna Order. He left the order in 1967 but remained closely aligned, returning for frequent lectures. He spent the last several …

  Developing Witness Consciousness through Karma Yogaby Joshua Sri Ramakrishna has stated that karma yoga is a very difficult path toward God realization. This is because desire for the fruit can easily and stealthily creep into the mind, often without the aspirant’s knowledge. Those living in the world might ask, “Of what spiritual benefit is the performance of action? Of …

In this presentation on the life of Swami Ramakrishnananda, two sources have been used extensively:   God Lived With Them,  by Swami ChetananandaSwami Ramakrishnananda: The Apostle of Sri Ramakrishna, by Swami Tapasyananda We encourage everyone to read these full accounts of this dedicated disciple of Sri Ramakrishna to whom we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for undeviating service to …

Namaste to the SRV friends and devotees, and to all the smiling heads that encircle Mother Kali’s beautiful neck.  May Her Munda Mala always aid and inspire. As the unforgettable Summer of 2013 ends, leading into Autumn, we all are preparing for and looking forward to the October retreat at Windwood Waters and all that it has to offer us. …

  It is always a wondrous phenomenon to witness how the Master and Mother draw their spiritual children into their embrace. The SRV sangha was recently blessed with the addition of a new sangha sister. Carol Stockwell of Canada received initiation from Babaji and was given the name Savitri. Savitri, who was born in California, moved to Canada at the …

The Yoga Armor: Applying the Teaching of Yoga and Vedanta in Daily Life by Joshua McDaniel For one new to the spiritual path, comprehending and practicing the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta in daily life can be very difficult. Animalistic and worldly samskaras can obstruct, for example, adopting the Yamas and Niyamas or obtaining the four qualifications of the spiritual …