Sastra Seminars

All seminars offered by Urmila devi dasi.
 

Nectar of Instruction

4 seminars, 1 hour each (can be given as a group or separately):

• Ourselves and Our Life (texts 1-3)

The importance and method of controlling the mind and senses as well as what will accelerate or hamper our progress in devotional service

• Devotees and Society (texts 4-6)

Having a society based on loving exchanges with devotees on various levels of realization, transcending bodily limitations

• Absorption in Krishna (texts 7-8)

Going from the offensive to pure stage of chanting, understanding our progress through the steps of devotion

• Better and Best (texts 9-11)

How to become the best person and live in the best place?

Sri Isopanisad

(note: These seminars are available in two forms. One concentrates more on content and is suitable for a concentrated Bhakti shastri course, whereas the other concentrates more on personal application. These can be taught as a group or separately.)

5 seminars, 1 hour and 10 minutes each

• Relationship Between Krishna, Jivas, and Prakriti (invocation-mantra 3)

Finding happiness and harmony through overflowing completeness which eliminates lack and scarcity

• The Lord as Known by the Maha-Bhagavata (mantras 4-8)

The vision and consciousness of great souls who through revelation know the Lord’s inconceivable qualities

• Knowledge and Ignorance (mantras 9-11)

Knowing wolves and wolves in sheep’s clothing to lead instead a balanced life

• Worship of Absolute and Relative (mantras 12-14)

Other kinds of wolves and wolves in sheep’s clothing that help us to distinguish real and false religion, being successful both spiritually and materially

• Revelation of the Lord (mantras 15-18)

Developing loving appreciation for Krishna through the process of surrender and His mercy.

The Ramayana

This seminar is an overview of the pastimes and practical lessons, especially designed for those not deeply familiar with the Ramayana.

Krishna Conscious Overview

1 and ½ hours

This seminar covers all the main topics of the history, philosophy, and practice of Krishna consciousness. It is designed primarily for university classes and those with little knowledge and experience of Krishna consciousness.

Krishna’s Qualities (from Nectar of Devotion)

3 seminars, approximately 1 hour each (These can be given as a group or separately.)

• The Six Opulences

We first explore the benefits from hearing about Krishna’s qualities, and how one can truly understand the Lord’s qualities. Then, for each of Krishna’s six opulences, participants study how to think about the Lord’s reciprocation with us as well as examples and stories of the manifestation of each of the opulences.

• Some Traits of Krishna

After considering benefits from meditating on Krishna’s qualities, participants consider three traits discussed in Nectar of Devotion, with several stories related to each. Two other traits, as well as the four traits manifested only in Krishna, are also discussed.

• Krishna’s Personality

The four seemingly contradictory descriptions of Krishna’s personality are explored, along with examples and stories that illustrate each. An understanding of the Lord’s personality is compared and contrasted with concepts of mundane personality.

Bhagavad-gita

4 seminars, approximately 1 hour each

These seminars have as their focus the development of the inner life of the devotee, on the basis of the gita. (These can be given as a group or separately.)

• Overview (the entire gita)

A summary of the entire work, showing the relation of each chapter to each other, with some emphasis on key verses, and a concentration on thinking of Krishna with love and surrender

• The Self and Working in Sacrifice with Knowledge (chapters 1-6)

How the essence of Karma yoga and Dhyana yoga is meditation on Krishna, dedicating our mind and activities to Him

• The Lord, Sri Krishna, Known through Bhakti (chapters 7-12)

The glories of the Lord, distinct from demigod worship or impersonalism, can be known through linking with Him through loving service. He then reciprocates and reveals Himself to the devotee.

• Material Nature and Knowledge that Increases Love and Surrender (chapters 13-18)

Among the world’s theological philosophies, none gives as complete an understanding of the relationship of the Lord and the soul with matter. By understanding the nature of our entanglement, we can also gain knowledge of how to become free and again situated as Krishna’s servant.