TYS May Newsletter

WELCOME MAY.

Peonies at the Ashram

Musing of the Month

Having love for all human beings—including all and excluding none—is dharma. Helping others ahead of personal gain is the dharma of those who follow the path of selfless service. Defending nation and society is the dharma of soldiers and warriors. However, the highest dharma is when we perform our duties for the welfare of humanity lovingly and selflessly and, most of all, dedicate the action and its fruit to the divine. One who has attained this highest form of dharma performs his duties in the world and yet remains above it. All his thoughts and actions become a part of dharma. His whole life is a field of dharma.

Instead of following commandments under the pressure of fear or guilt, the aspirant commits himself to discipline and self-transformation. He welcomes eternal dharma, the dharma that has as its architect none other than the divine force—the ultimate truth. The followers of dharma welcome and incorporate only those rules and laws in life that do not interfere with the growth of others, and at the same time are helpful in enhancing their creativity and helping them fulfill their purpose in life. In the history of civilization, never did a prophet or an incarnation of God introduce a "new" dharma. Rather, the sages served as channels for the perennial dharma, keeping its high ideals ever before mankind. Whenever the dharma taught by the great sages seemed eclipsed, a great soul would incarnate to re-inspire the masses with enthusiasm for dharma.

The awakening of dharma can be initiated by proper education. Today's formal education, based on mere information, is incomplete. In modern educational systems, we are taught as many mundane things as possible, but this education does not offer any method for self-evaluation and inner exploration. Present education does not teach us how to make the best use of our heritage. Independent, critical thinking is not encouraged. That has resulted in leading people to confused and, at times, contradictory conceptions, and to then imitate one another blindly. As a result, some people erroneously believe that practicing a religion means either renouncing the world and chanting religious hymns and songs, or observing penances alone. We attain the goal of life by following a balanced path of discipline and compassion.

The Upanishads, however, do not advocate any of these ideas. In the Upanishads, we find universal dharma that includes both action and morality. These are the two great pillars on which the mansion of human virtues is erected. The goal of life can be attained by following a balanced path of discipline and compassion. Such a dharma helps us live in peace and harmony while upholding justice and truth. It helps an aspirant attain the right goals through right means. The aspirant can help himself without harming others. Such a person can attain his personal goals and at the same time inspire others. His every action is directed toward defending dharma, supporting virtue, and inspiring others. The greatest scriptures, like the Vedas and Upanishads, set forth such an eternal dharma.

Spirituality: Transformation Within and Without by HH Sri Swami Rama

Introspections with Ranjani

Like all Sanskrit words, dharma can have many meanings in English. As we say at TYS, we have working definitions; the more we grow, the more we understand and can understand the deeper meanings of the words.

"Having love for all human beings—including all and excluding none—is dharma." This sentence explains the law of life: we either live in expansion or contraction and loving all is expansion. Most of us have no fundamental understanding of love; most of what we know about love is ego-feeding. How often have you said "I love you" to someone and done it to get something in return, out of guilt, or because it was the "thing" to do? Thinking about love and dharma, I have had a prayer stirring in my head, and I thought it appropriate to share it with you.

There are many times I have thoughts about things, and sometimes I share them verbally with others. Sometimes, I write and share them, and sometimes, I keep them to myself, but as I said, this is a prayer to be shared. I don't claim this prayer to be mine, but it is a gift I received that is important enough to share. If you like it, please say it often to yourself because if we can learn to treat others the way we want to be treated, the world will become perfect in a moment.

The Teach Me Prayer

Inner Dweller teach me to be noninjurious in my thoughts, speech, and actions toward myself and my brothers and sisters.

Inner Dweller teach me to be truthful in my thoughts, words, and actions toward myself and my brothers and sisters.

Inner Dweller, teach me not to steal, covet, or misuse things from my brothers and sisters or the gifts I have received from God almighty Herself.

Inner Dweller, teach me how to live a life of moderation.

Inner Dweller teach me to give more than I take from my brothers and sisters.

Inner Dweller teach me how to treat others how I want to be treated

The Prayer Challenge

If you are up for a challenge, take this prayer, repeating it both morning and evening, not just saying it but contemplating the power of the words to change you.

Ask yourself daily, Have I treated others the way I would want to be treated?" if the answer is no, ask yourself why, then proceed to go deeper into self-study, examining why you were afraid to treat your brothers and sisters as something different than yourself.

If you like 30 days, go for 60; if you like 60, go for a year and see where you are.

Benevolence Corner

Soup On Wheels

TYS has frozen homemade vegan soup in the freezer. As a part of our outreach, if you need a meal or know someone who does because of illness, surgery, death of a loved one, financial problems, divorce, or anyone who requires a little extra TLC, TYS is here for you. If you know anyone who needs a meal, let us know at info@tysdayton.com

Tent Fundraiser

A huge thank you to all who contributed to our tent fundraiser. Our goal was 500.00, and we met it because of you! We are making our final selection, so stay tuned for the unveiling of our new tent. We would love to see you at one of our tent events. Thank you; we truly appreciate your support!

Reflections with Kali

This month I’d like to review and reflect upon the book I just finished, Walking with A Himalayan Master by Justin O’Brien.

Coincidentally, I was not intending on reading this book but happened to come across it on a quick visit to a local bookstore. I dropped what else I was reading and dove into the story, the first few days I simply could not put it down and any free moment I had I was reading! I told myself I needed to slow down so I could digest the content, even though I was captivated. This book was written by Justin per the request of Swami Rama. Justin and his former wife Theresa were Swamiji’s close disciples and he generously shared so many beautiful experiences he had along his journey with Swamiji.

To read this book written by someone who was so close with Swamiji gave me a new perspective. Justin was a white, educated man from the Midwest who dedicated his life to his guru and his spiritual path. The experiences he had were special to say the least, and I learned so much about who Swamiji really was.

This book is definitely for anyone intersted in learning more about our tradition, Swami Rama and his works, and the viewpoint of someone who was one of his close disciples. Justin is candid, and you can feel the love and reverence that existed in their relationship in every page. To read Swamiji’s teachings in his books is one thing, but to read an account of someone who lived life alongside him brings a change of perspective. I hope everyone reads this book.

Jai Gurudeva