The mind is always wandering from one subject matter to the other. Arjuna says in the Bhagavad Gita that he is able to control the wind but not the mind. This is due to the fact that mind carries lust desires from many previous lifetimes which are latent. Yoga for the mind consists of chanting mantras. "Man" mean mind and Tra means to deliver the mind from the negative influences of all the past impressions (Vasanas) from this and previous lives. "mana trayate iti mantra" Mantra is something that delivers the mind. Hence we have from scriptures knowledge to empty the mind and fill it with positive vibrations such as Om, Hare Krishna, Nama Narayanaya and Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Even in other traditions there are mantras such as 99 names of Allah and "Hail Mary" etc. For this current age called "Kali Yuga" the specific mantra prescribed by the Kali Santarana Upanishad is the Hare Krishna Mantra. This mantra is said to negate the influence of Kali Yuga where lying, cheating, philandering, senseless violence again man and animals is very common. Today it is practically impossible to control the mind given the digital marketing techniques used to constantly sell goods and services to individuals around the world. The currently society actually encourages the opposite of mind control - advertising with flimsily clad women are deisgned to tempt the mind into doing something nasty. Hence we should take recourse to how our predecessors have conquered the urges of mind, senses and body. Let's control our minds by chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra .
Food And Mind
The relationship between food and mood has been studied for over 5000 years. When someone eats a steak they might behave pretty rudely for instance. In several studies done in prisons, vegetarian food was supposed to have reduce the violent tendencies in inmates. The Bhagavad Gita has almost an entire chapter dedicated to studying the effects of type of food on mood, consciousness, behavior, and culture. Foods in modes of goodness like milk, sugar, fruits, vegetables are described making a person calm, contended, and peaceful. Foods in the mode of passion such as excessive hot or cold, spicy and tartaric foods (tamarind) generate excitement and a sense of needing to achieve something like name, fame honor, etc. Foods in the mode of ignorance such as meat, fish, eggs, mushroom, alcohol, highly fermented foods cause a person to be lazy and dull and also callous to spiritual needs.
Vedic Palmistry
Palmistry is an ancient science closely tied with astronomy where the 'prarabhda Karma' of an individual is manifested as lines in one's palms. An astrologer can understand the past Karma that a soul has incurred by simply reading lines on the palm and get insight into the nature of the soul and its intended journey. In addition he can provides mantras and spiritual processes to counteract the influences of past Karma and planetary forces on the soul. An example of such a mantra is the following: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Peace of mind
The mind can be your best friend or worst enemy according to the Bhagavad Gita and through our own experience in life. Peace formula is described in chapter 5.29 of BG - “A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries”. The Vedic culture of Varnashrama is designed in such a way that one fulfills his material desires in the material world and finally get liberated. Vedic culture also provides an outlet for different propensities of individuals and provides gradual elevation to higher states of consciousness.
Yagna for welfare of society
There are various Yagnas recommended in Vedas. Svadhyaya Yajna is where celibate students learn Vedas. “sacrifice of the comforts of life is called tapomaya-yajna. There are still others who engage themselves in different kinds of mystic yogas like the Patanjali system (for merging into the existence of the Absolute), or hatha-yoga or astanga-yoga (for particular perfections). And some travel to all the sanctified places of pilgrimage. All these practices are called yoga-yajna, sacrifice for a certain type of perfection in the material world. There are others who engage themselves in the studies of different Vedic literatures, specifically the Upanisads and Vedanta-sutras, or the sankhya philosophy. All of these are called svadhyaya-yajna, or engagement in the sacrifice of studies. All these yogis are faithfully engaged in different types of sacrifice and are seeking a higher status of life”. BG 4.28. The best Yajna for the Kali Yuga is Sankirtana Yajna where we come together and chant the holy names of god together. The recommended mantra for this age is Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Performing Arts
Vedic Center or Performing Arts presents a panoply of various dances from different parts of India in dance forms, singing, and instruments.
© Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved by Vedic Cultural Center 1420 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA 98075