What we’re about
Interested in Vedic philosophy and want to meet others with a similar interest? Our group aims to build a community of people interested in studying and living the teachings of the Vedas in the modern world. This group aims to find synthesis in the various strands of Vedic philosophy without being held to one particular path or guru. Ideal group members would be students of Vedic philosophy, Hatha yoga teachers and practitioners, Tantric/kundalini practitioners, Ayurvedic practitioners, Desis/Hindus that want non-denominational fellowship and curious others who may want to learn more about Vedic philosophy but are not sure where to start! Ideally meetings will bring variety of activities: study circles of scriptures, asana sessions, bhajans, visiting local Hindu Temples, Indian restaurants, guest speakers (Swamis, etc) and more!
Upcoming events
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Bhagavad Gita Book Club (Study Circle)-- Chapter 9: The Royal Path
Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin, TX, USIn this chapter, Krishna reveals to us the "Divine Secret" to knowing Him and to attain Moksha/Nirvana/release/freedom thereby. This chapter begins a series of chapters focused slightly less on philosophy and theology, and more on devotion and personal relationship with the Divine.
Krishna explains that all forms of worship are ultimately going to Him alone and that while we may worship other forms, they will be limited and not lead to final release. He teaches that all of our actions should be an act of sacrifice and devotion to Him, and that even a sinner who has taken refuge in Him becomes good.
Indeed this is the Royal secret-- that love of God (Bhakti) is the ultimate way to God and the most surefire way to final release from the wheel of Samsara.
For the purposes of this book club/study group, we will be using Eknath Easwaran's 2nd edition version of the Bhagavad Gita. This book was chosen as it is less heavy on some of the Sanskrit terminology and will be much easier to read for those not already familiar with this text. It is also inexpensive to purchase and easy to find. Ideally, all participants will have read the chapter prior to the meeting, so that the time may be spent in discussion and clarification of the text.
We will be serving GF/CF/vegan Chai and snacks for those attending!
Location:
Casa De Luz, Sunshine Room (Upstairs and to the right before the main courtyard)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
10:30-10:45: Arrive (no later than 10:45 please)
10:45- 11:00: Welcome, announcements, Opening Prayers
11:00- 12:30: Study circle, closing prayers
Please see/join our Facebook group:
Facebook.com/groups/vedicsatsangatx/
YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS--
https://www.youtube.com/@VedicSatsangATX3 attendees
Bhagavad Gita Book Club (Study Circle)-- Chapter 10: Divine Splendor
Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin, TX, USIn Chapter 9, Krishna ends the Sovereign secret with an admonition to devotion as a means to merge with Him—“Fix your mind on Me, devote yourself to Me, sacrifice to Me, surrender to Me…and you shall become one with me, who am your own Self”. This is not always easy to do, and so in Chapter 10, Krishna explains how one can “see” His manifestation in the external world as the “best” of all things in the world—revealing a few of His divine powers and attributes in the world. Whereas Western philosophers have struggled in the past to define the nature of truth, beauty, excellence and so on due to their insistence on a purely rational and atheistic approach, we are assured that all is good and beautiful are ultimately coming from the Ultimate source of truth, beauty and goodness in the Divine.
For the purposes of this book club/study group, we will be using Eknath Easwaran's 2nd edition version of the Bhagavad Gita. This book was chosen as it is less heavy on some of the Sanskrit terminology and will be much easier to read for those not already familiar with this text. It is also inexpensive to purchase and easy to find. Ideally, all participants will have read the chapter prior to the meeting, so that the time may be spent in discussion and clarification of the text.
We will be serving GF/CF/vegan Chai and snacks for those attending!
Location:
Casa De Luz, Sunshine Room (Upstairs to the right before the main courtyard)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
10:30-10:45: Arrive (no later than 10:45 please)
10:45- 11:00: Welcome, announcements, Opening Prayers
11:00- 12:30: Study circle, closing prayers
Please see/join our Facebook group:
Facebook.com/groups/vedicsatsangatx/
YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS--
https://www.youtube.com/@VedicSatsangATX1 attendee
Bhagavad Gita Book Club (Study Circle)-- Chapter 11: The Cosmic Vision
Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin, TX, USIn the last chapter, Krishna reveals to Arjuna an extensive list of examples of His divine glories and forms on which a seeker can meditate. In this chapter, Arjuna requests to see Krishna in His full glory. Krishna grants Arjuna divine vision and describes Arjuna’s samadhi. He sees God’s radiance as both as a great light and burning fire—this is where Oppenheimer famously quoted when he saw the Atomic bomb for the 1st time, “I am become Death, the shatterer of worlds.” He concludes that the only means of having this vision is through devotion, and that no amount of study, meditation, etc will get one this divine vision. This will then lead us to the next chapter (12) on the Yoga of Devotion, or Bhakti Yoga.
For the purposes of this book club/study group, we will be using Eknath Easwaran's 2nd edition version of the Bhagavad Gita. This book was chosen as it is less heavy on some of the Sanskrit terminology and will be much easier to read for those not already familiar with this text. It is also inexpensive to purchase and easy to find. Ideally, all participants will have read the chapter prior to the meeting, so that the time may be spent in discussion and clarification of the text.
We will be serving GF/CF/vegan Chai and snacks for those attending!
Location:
Casa De Luz, Sunshine Room (Upstairs, next to Arcoiris Room next to the first courtyard to the right after 3rd eye elixirs)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
10:30-10:45: Arrive (no later than 10:45 please)
10:45- 11:00: Welcome, announcements, Opening Prayers
11:00- 12:30: Study circle, closing prayers
Please see/join our Facebook group:
Facebook.com/groups/vedicsatsangatx/
YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS--
https://www.youtube.com/@VedicSatsangATX1 attendee
Bhagavad Gita Book Club (Study Circle): Chapter 12--Bhakti Yoga!!
Casa de Luz Village, Toomey Road, Austin, TX, Austin, TX, USHaving witnessed Krishna’s eternal form, we now learn from Krishna the importance of the path of devotion/love, aka Bhakti Yoga. Many who come to the Gita are familiar with this due to the high visibility of ISKCON (Hari Krishna’s) in this space. This chapter focuses on the supreme importance of devotion for the majority of seekers, as the path of the formless is often harder for most people and devotion is a speedier and easier path for God-realization. Ultimately, knowledge and devotion come together “full circle” as knowledge of the Highest leads to devotion and devotion leads to knowledge in the end.
For those who may be attending for the first time, we are using the Easwaran 2nd edition of the Gita for the study group. Additionally, we have posted videos of the previous sessions on our Facebook Group page. Please sign up and can view the links here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vedicsatsangatx
YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS--
https://www.youtube.com/@VedicSatsangATX
Location: Casa De Luz: Serena Room (Downstairs before courtyard)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
10:30-10:45: Arrive (no later than 10:45 please)
10:45- 11:00: Welcome, announcements, Opening Prayers
11:00- 12:30: Study circle, closing prayers
As always, we will serve Vegan Chai and snacks for attendees.
Please RSVP ASAP and if unable to come, please also cancel your RSVP as this is critical to insuring we have the appropriate space. Thank you!1 attendee
Past events
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