Replies about operation of the Vivekananda Centre

[Guest guest]

Dear Larry

The questions and answers are enclosed.

 

 

Please start with this one.

 

1. How do members in Vivekananda Centre London see themselves as Hindu, andwhat is especially Hindu about your teachings (or what is not) and what doyou say is the unique feature of Vivekananda Centre London?

 

Vivekananda Centre is very much involved in portraying 'main stream' Hinduism

It is called Vivekananda Centre NOT because it is a sectarian body promoting some kind of

'Vivekanandism' but purely as an acknowledgement of the source of its inspiration and authority to deal with Hinduism.

 

 

Please answer at least four of the following main groups of questions.

 

A) What is the notion of dharma that Vivekananda Centre London uses?

Dharma is explained in the following manner

(a) Righteous living

(b) That which unites and acts as the force of cohesion in any group (nation)

© Studying the innermost nature of everything (external and internal)

 

Vivekananda Centre deals with (a) and (b) with the notion that the most important thing to

pass on to any youngster is the idea of development of 'Character'

 

We deal with © by concentrating on finding out about our 'real nature'.

B) How does it compare to the idea of dharma in the Ramayana ?

 

Very favourably. Ramayana is depicted as the story of how to be an 'ideal' person and how to develop an ideal character.

 

C) Do you implicitly hold the idea that people not practising dharma causesproblems in nature?

 

No. We say everyone is acting according to his/her inner nature. How else can they operate?

 

A) Does your organisation practice any yogic techniques?

We encourage short periods of sitting still. We have learnt the theory of Raja Yoga

as an academic exercise.

 

 

B) What are they?

Our centres are fully versed in the teachings of Patanjali Yoga Sutra.

 

 

 

C) What elements of Patanjali's yoga do they involve (which of the 5 limbsof yoga)?

Patanjali Yoga Sutra has eight limbs (not five) they involve

Yama Niyama Asana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana and Samadhi

We have learnt the theory and at the moment only prescribe Yama and Niyama to be practised in daily life before we are fit to proceed (Brahamacharya or celibate living is an essential requirement)

 

A) Does bhakti play a role in your organisation?

We understand the ideas of Bhakti but do not get involved in any ceremonial worship.

B) If so, to what degree is its importance?

N/A

 

C) Is it directed toward a specific God and/or towards God as a moreabstract principle?

We develop and work on both - we say the formless God is fine as theory, but God with

form is a more practical approach in spirituality.

 

D) Is devotion directed towards a guru figure?

Each individual is given permission to think of the divine (or teacher of the divine) in his/her own

manner. We do not promote any Guru figure (including Vivekananda or Sri Ramakrishna).

 

A) Does your organisation incorporate any elements of Tantric practice?No we do not

 

B) Does puja play a part?

No it does not

 

C) What are the main forms of ritual and worship?

N/A

 

D) Are there any antinomian elements in this group's practices?

We are quite sure that morality is essential and do not seek to by-pass moral issues.

 

E) Does the practitioner strive to eventually be not separate from thedeity?

N/A

 

6. A) What is the role of women in Vivekananda Centre London?

Vivekananda Centre has more female participants. Most of the candidates ( about two thirds

are female) So our worry is what is the role of man?

 

B) Are they considered to be equal to men?

Very much so.

C) Are there more women in your organisation than men orvice versa? Yes more women.

 

D) Why do you think women would be attracted to this group'?

At the moment females seem to be doing very well in all fields - why not in spirituality?

 

 

7. A) Is your philosophy dualist or non-dualist?

We allow of and can accept both without any difficulty.

Non-dualism may be the destination but dualism is the key to making progress.

 

B) If non-dualist, is it aligned with Advaita Vedanta?

Yes

C) What are some of the major attributes of your philosophy?

We follow the teachings of Vedanta - both dvaita and advaita and learn from the teachings of Vivekananda.