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WORKSHOP |
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DISCOURSES |
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Spirituality
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What is Study Circle? |
| "What is a study
circle? It is not just reading books. ëCircle, study circleí
means taking a point and each person discussing what is the
meaning of the point to them. Like a round-table conference.
Each person gives their point of view, and finally values are
derived from this. If there is just reading, there is doubt. But
if each one gives his view, doubts will be answered. The topic
is viewed; the study circle looks at different facets. It is
like a diamond with its different facets, but there is one facet
that is flat, the top facet, and from this all can be viewed. To
discover the top facet is the task of the study circle.
"Swamiís talks may be taken, or other scriptures.
"Take a point. Have everyone think
about it and discuss it, and come to the final point where doubt
is decreased. If only one person reads, there will be only one
meaning. All misunderstandings, all points of view --after these
are brought out, the study circle members will get confidence.
There is no doubt of this.
"If each one only reads, this may go
on for a year or two, then an allergy to reading develops.
"Centers must have study circles in
this way, and none will note the passage of time. Each one
listens eagerly and many will give their point of view. The
Bible, the Koran, the Gita, Swamiís books may be used. What is
wanted is a study circle; rotating. Each one must be given a
chance."
Conversations with Sai Baba, by Hislop: pp.125-126 in
older edition; pp. 137-138 in new edition) |
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Full Circle or
Half Circle? |
| You have joined the
study class at Dharmakshetra, and are engaged in poring over all
types of books and gathering information and instruction. But,
what have you gained? Knowledge about what this author says or
that sage teaches is not what your study circle must aim to
acquire. Not information, but transformation; not instruction,
but construction should be the aim. Theoretical knowledge is a
burden, unless it is practiced, when it can be lightened into
wisdom, and assimilated into daily, life. Knowledge that does
not give harmony and wholeness to the process of living is not
worth acquiring. Every activity must be rendered valid and
worthwhile by its contribution to the discovery of Truth, both
of the Self and of Nature. Of what use is it to know everything
about nature, if you do not know anything of the Self? Nature is
only a projection of the Self, and so, unless the Self is known,
knowledge of nature is either distorted or deceptive. The Self
is Atma, of which the entire
Creation is composed, so knowledge of the Self alone can quench
the thirst of man. Every one of you
is a pilgrim on that road proceeding at your own pace, according
to your qualification and the stage reached by its means. The
advice that appeals to one of you or applies to one of you might
not be appropriate to another, who has traveled less distance or
reached a more advanced state. When I tell one person to follow
one line of sadhana (spiritual
discipline), it is specifically for his benefit; do not take it
as prescription for your benefit also, saying, "Swami told him
thus; let me also adopt it." Each has a different make-up
--mental, physical, and spiritual. The doctor directs one
patient to drink curds and prohibits another from drinking it.
When a man is obese, he advises certain types of food; when he
is lean, he advises other types. When doctors who treat diseases
of the body have to prescribe different remedies, how much more
specific and personal must be the remedies for the complex and
varied conditions of mental situations and spiritual yearnings
and aspirations?
Unless you make earnest inquiry, you
cannot discover the remedy applicable to your temperament and
its problems. Study with faith and devotion. Delve into the
significance and the meaning of what you read, and always have
before you the goal of putting what you read into practice.
Unless you do so, the study circle will remain a half-circle for
ever; it cannot be a full circle. And, pay attention to one
other point also. Do not confine your studies to this circle and
these books. The whole Universe is University for you. You can
imbibe wisdom from the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the
rivers, the daily phenomena of sunrise and sunset, the seasons,
birds, trees, flowers, the insects --in fact, all beings and
things in nature. |
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CORDINATOR |
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Thurairaja Sinnathurai
TP: 905 944 1611
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MEDITATION |
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