Oncoming events in 2024
The Yogas of Knowing and Loving: Ways to Enlightenment
Retreat with Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India and is currently the Minister-in-charge of the Vedanta Society of New York. He specializes in the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and has also been invited to speak at several universities across the world, including Harvard University. The swami has engaged in dialogue with many eminent thinkers such as Deepak Chopra, Rupert Spira, Rick Archer, David Chalmers and Sam Harris.
Venue
Genossenschaft Baufreunde, Gemeinschaftsraum an der Zelglistrasse, Zelglistrasse 49/51, Zürich Affoltern
Directions
Bus 80 to bus stop “Mötteliweg” and walk towards Zelglistrasse 49 (4 minutes)
Bus 32, 61, 62 to bus stop “Neuaffoltern” and walk towards Zelglistrasse 49 (4 minutes)
There are blue zone parking available and also a Parkhaus Hürststrasse 6 minutes walk away
| Date | Time | Main Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday - August 17, 2024 | 09:30 | Door opening |
| Day 1: Entry fee CHF 50 per person | 10:00 | Morning Talk: The Seer and the Seen |
| 11:30 | Question and answer session | |
| 12:00 | Lunch | |
| 14:00 | Afternoon talk: Five Verses on Wisdom | |
| 15:30 | Question and answer session | |
| 16:00 | Closing | |
| Sunday - August 18, 2024 | 09:30 | Door opening |
| Day 2: Entry fee CHF 50 per person | 10:00 | Morning Talk: The Radical Nondualism of Ashtavakra |
| 11:30 | Question and answer session | |
| 12:00 | Lunch | |
| 14:00 | Afternoon Talk: Bhakti the Way of Love | |
| 15:30 | Question and answer session | |
| 16:00 | Closing |
The Vedanta Study Circle (VSC) consists of devotees who identify with the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda (collectively known as the Holy Trio) and take delight in remembering them. These holy personalities epitomized the paths of Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga . Their lives, therefore, form the context for our discussions.
Sri Ramakrishna stressed the importance of holy company in the development of one’s spiritual life. He furthermore underscored the importance of devotees themselves:
Sri Ramakrishna: “… you should remember that the heart of the devotee is the abode of God. He dwells, no doubt, in all beings, but He especially manifests Himself in the heart of the devotee.”
The Vedanta Study Circle program has two goals: (1) to feel the divine presence of the Holy Trio through ardent and heartfelt discussions on their lives and (2) to benefit from the holy company of fellow-devotees.
We meet on the first Saturday of every month and the program is arranged based on the following topics:
- Short introduction and welcome
- Singing of a few hymns
- Reading Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
- Meditation
- Lecture by an invited Swami on a spiritual topic
- Discussion of a holy text
- Singing of a few hymns
- Tea and simple refreshments
A monthly online-class will be held by Swami Vedanishthanandaji. Invitations will be sent out by WhatsApp chat and Email.
Apart from the monthly meetings the VSC organizes celebrations of the birth anniversaries of the Holy Trio in which we hope to bring their message to new comers.