[TEMPLEUNIVERSAL] RE: YES, THE BIG CHALLENGE....
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From: Yahoo D.
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2007, 7:11 PM
Subject: [templeuniversal] Re: Yes, the big challenge....
ID: 255714

I'd forgotten that letter of Swamiji's... Very nice!

I hear you in regards to not having the time. Always seems to be the case, no? Always something else we could do if we had the time...

Your publishing work sounds good and I'm sure it's having an impact. But even only as an education for yourself, try to start a small class! There must be two or three of you there who could spare an hour a week? Find a room, provide simple refreshments, have a talk and discussion.

Make the theme of the class "to learn from what others believe". Have the talks focused on how individuals make their faiths work within the larger picture of American society. How do they make time to practice? How do they reach out to others? How do they teach their children? What exactly do they believe?

We find people who present almost everywhere (colleges, friends of friends, any folks from other traditions that visit the Hollywood center say, guys like Dobson when he's in town, etc.). We had a UPS driver that looked exotic and found he was a native Hawaian who knew and practiced the native Huna tradition. He ended up giving an informative talk.

Almost anyone you meet has a story to tell about life and faith. Doing something like this can change your whole perspective. Hearing, seeing and experiencing other beliefs up close like this is a real education and a necessary step if you want to create something (your Temple) that honors all.

Again, just some more thoughts...

In templeuniversal@yahoogroups.com, "Swami Brahmavidyananda" wrote: > > Yes Swami, and California is the place where big things can happen. > So far, I've found it hard to start up a discussion group someplace > here in LA. The difficulty is my own ignorance. I'm sure there are > plenty of places, but finding out where they are, is for me, a bit of > a challenge. > > Getting on hospital staff would be fascinating, but right now I feel > pretty much consumed with other responsibilities. As you know, one > can do only so much. I do have the non-profit, a publishing co. with > books and pamphlets to sell. And some do sell, but The Western Works > of Swami Vivekananda is where it's at. > > There are so many people looking for this change outside of the > Vedanta. As far as I can see, we just have to know how to package > this marvelous message correctly to get it into the general mindset. > > Here's a lovely quote from Swamiji, > > Airlie Lodge, Ridgeway Gardens, > Wimbledon > 8th October, 1896 > Dear (Miss S.E. Waldo), > > I know very little of the young man R__. He is a Bengali and can > teach a little Sanskrit. You know my settled doctrine. I do not trust > any one who has not conquered "lust and gold". You may try him in > theoretical subjects, but keep him off from teaching Raja-Yoga—that > is a dangerous game except for the regularly trained to play at. Of > Saradananda, the blessing of the greatest Yogi of modern India is on > him—and there is no danger. Why do you not begin to teach? . . . You > have a thousand times more philosophy than this boy R___. Send > notices to the class and hold regular talks and lectures. > I will be thousand times more pleased to see one of you start than > any number of Hindus securing success in America — even one of my > brethren. "Man wants Victory from everywhere, but defeat from his own > children". . . . Make a blaze! Make a blaze! > With all love and blessings, > Vivekananda > > Volume 6, Pg. 376 of the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda > > It's very telling, is it not? > > Brahmavid >