[Advaita-l] Importance of Ashram

[Anuj]

Hello Ravi, Thanks for taking the time to review the website, and for
the reply and concern. You are correct in assessing that
self-management is a critical component of the teachings there. But
then, I am not planning on becoming a monk or an ascetic (by the usual
definition of the word). I am looking to live the rest of my life, a
potentially 50-60 year additional commitment :) (I'm 28 now) in a more
balanced and practical manner. I say practical because my current
lifestyle steeped in ignorance of the way things really are is quite
unsustainable if I want a happy life (as illusionary as it may be in a
vedantic context).
I read Swamiji's book "Vedanta Treatise" and couldn't help but read it
over and over again because of the wealth of knowledge and simple way
it was all explained. Mind you, after having read many more books on
Advaita and Vedanta etc. since then I realize there was nothing
particularly novel in the content, and they all have the same message,
but that's comforting I guess.
Isn't it strange that texts try to explain the unexplainable by using
words that one can't really understand/experience to begin with. I
mean who can conceive of eternity, omnipresence, and omniscience, yet
those are the words used to describe God- a concept we struggle to
understand. So trying to explain the unexplainable by using words we
can't really understand - this is what most do...and it makes no
sense.
Now I have no doubt many of you know much more technical terms and
have done a lot more research and search within than I have so I don't
intend to refute your point or wisdom. I am just saying, I am not
looking to technically learn so much as I am dying to experience the
reality. I have faith in where I am going and look forward to the
contemplation that lays ahead.

In appreciation,
Anuj





On 12/3/07, Ravi Parimi <rparimi at gmail.com> wrote:
> I took a cursory look at the ashram's website and its activities. The
> courses etc. seem to be tailored around self-management, and this self
> is clearly not the Self that is spoken of in vedanta, or is it? In all
> the pages I've browsed, I tried to look for words like Bhashya,
> Shankaracharya,  *acharya, advaita etc. but found nothing.
>
> I wonder what a student who attends 3-4 years at this institue is
> expected to learn? Surely hope it is going to be more than moral
> values, time management, clear thinking etc.
>
> On Dec 3, 2007 12:57 PM, Anuj <whereisanuj at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I appreciate your advice and concern Sanjay. Wow! I am surprised that
> > you know people who went to Swami Parhtasarthy's school. Wonders never
> > cease.
> > Well, I have always thought that it is not the teacher but the
> > teachings that one should concern themselves with. I have seen many
> > people, including my parents and relatives get attached to their
> > teachers and ironically not pay nearly as much attention to the
> > teachings.
> > Having said that, I think it will be the entire student body, senior
> > members of the teaching staff and yes, Swamiji himself - the
> > collective lot and most of all my own commitment and time by myself
> > which I look forward to. So his classmates impressions of him from 30
> > years ago, I feel, may still not be as accurate an indication of what
> > my experience may be like. Is that fair? Besides having heard him
> > speak, and sat with him one on one for half an hour is more than I
> > could expect from any other teacher prior to admittance. I do also
> > intentend to visit the ashram a few months prior to finally moving
> > there so I am not blindly jumping onto this new phase in my life.
> >
> > I truly do appreciate every one's concern though, it mirrors that of
> > my parents and well wishers and I am grateful for it.
> >
> > Anuj
> >
> > On 12/3/07, Sanjay Srivastava <sksrivastava68 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Anuj:
> > >
> > > I will second what Ramesh said and will advise you to do some independent
> > > background research on the organization and the swami before making full
> > > time commitment. The information you gain through an organization's website
> > > or through his committed disciples is not independent verification. If I had
> > > to make this decision, I would prefer to talk to his mates from his earlier
> > > days or people who know him independent of his vedanta background. I can
> > > give you off-line email addresses of some of the people who were at
> > > Sandipani at the time Swami Parthasarathy was a student there. You may get
> > > different but valuable perspective from such people. I cannot assure you if
> > > they will respond to your queries, but it is definitely a worth try if you
> > > are thinking of full time commitment.
> > >
> > > praNAm
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe or change your options:
> > > http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l
> > >
> > > For assistance, contact:
> > > listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/
> >
> > To unsubscribe or change your options:
> > http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l
> >
> > For assistance, contact:
> > listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/
>
> To unsubscribe or change your options:
> http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l
>
> For assistance, contact:
> listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org
>