Weekly Vedanta classes are held at 691 S. Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas CA 95035, suite #203 upstairs.

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  • Please see the AVC Class Calendar for changes to Class schedules and locations
  • Access weekly Audio class recordings  here 
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Announcing 16 Week course on Vedanta and BGita Chp 7, starting Sat July 13th, 2019.

See Class material for all registered students on the webpage here

Arsha Vidya Center is starting a 16 week course to answer these questions. It will be based on a thorough study of chapter 7 of Bhagavad Gita and will be taught in 3 segments:

  1. Core tenets of Hinduism. 2 classes. A background paper will be distributed, and it will be discussed in the class.
  2. Introduction to Vedanta and Bhagavad Gita. 3 classes. How Gita presents core tenets of Hinduism, and a summary of its first 6 chapters will be discussed.
  3. The heart of the course. 10 classes. Understanding the essence of Gita’s advice for leading a happier life.

The 16th session will be in the form of an in-class quiz, reflecting key concepts of the course. Later, students will benefit by developing an essay based on the quiz.
Class format: Duration – 90 minutes.

  • 10 minutes – chanting of the Gita verses
  • 60 minutes – discourse
  • 20 minutes – Q&A

From 10 to 11:30 AM on Saturdays. All classes at 691 South Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas. First class: July 13, 2019.

To join, we suggest you register, by sending an email to the instructor, Sri Vijay Kapoor at vijaykapoor@gmail.com. Or just be present in the first class on July 13. For a new students, a brief introduction to yourself in the email will be appreciated. Hari Om

Vijay Kapoor

See detailed flyer  Here too.  Please forward to  those who may be interested.

See Class material for all registered students on the webpage here

Guru Purnima Day

Next Tues, July 16 is Guru Poornima day. Some of you asked if we are going to celebrate it, as we usually do. Let us not skip it, but hold an email version of it this year.
Guru Poornima is kind of like Teacher’s Day. Like Mother’s Day, it simply is an occasion to bring to mind or express our gratitude, even though the attitude is present throughout the year. Any teacher is a special creation of ईश्वर, aiding in our growth as a human being. A baby is born in total ignorance. Slowly the darkness is removed, including through sense organs. Then the external entities, most important being mother and father. Then school teachers, and so on. Each one plays a critical role in shaping the subtle role of intellect in furthering our understanding.
Spiritual teaching is truly unique. This is well said in the Chandogya Upanishad story (6.1.3). There Aruni, the father of Shvetaketu, sends his son to study with a teacher in an ashram – as was done in those days – for all advanced subjects, including mathematics, sciences, Sanskrit etc. Shevaketu returns as an accomplished son at the age of 24 after 12 long years. He also displayed pride. At which point, Aruni asked him ” did your teacher teach you that by learning which everything possible is as well learnt?” Stunned, the son replies “Not so. But is something like that even possible? Will you teach me that” This leads to the महावाक्य तत्वमस्सि being taught 9 time, until he gets it.
What this means is that all other knowledge (अपर विद्या) gives limited results. But आत्मा विद्या (पर विद्या ) removes the need for all other learning, leaving a person totally free. Therefore the entire lineage of Vedanta teachers, starting with दक्षिणामूर्ति, should hold a special place in our heart. Just grasping the very possibility of freedom while living is a blessing, leave aside actually accomplishing freedom. So on this auspicious day in our minds we acknowledge the extraordinary gift that ईश्वर has given us in the form of this teaching and be especially thankful for it.
I am fortunate that I do not need any personal material gurudkshina from you. Our modest needs, in the form of a $1K per month classroom rental have been met by you from time to time.  You donate generously when the Swamis visit. if you do feel like contributing to the expenses, probably the best way is to make a donation from our website by clicking Here.
The best way to repay the teaching is to redouble the efforts to learn. I also feel fortunate that I have had such dedicated students like yourself. I feel you will not let me quit, even if I wanted to.
Harih Om. Vijay

Swami Viditatmananda Visited Bay Area June 24th-27th and conducted a Retreat 28-30th 2019

Please see Swamiji page Here for recordings of all Audio and Videos

Please see Swami Viditatmananda Tributes by Vijay Kapoorji Swami Viditatmananda as Mahatma

Immersive Retreat was held on June 28th-30th, on Kathopanisad

This year, the Swamiji  explained the remaining  verses of Kathopanishad,   expounding on the deeper understanding of Atma  in a very elaborate manner.

Please see Swamiji page Here for recordings.

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 Sri  Svatmavidyananda Swaminiji Talk completed on June 13, “Vedanta and Mindful Living”

 

The goal of any spiritual practice is the ability to cheerfully face the myriad challenges of daily living. In this talk, Swaminiji will unfold the ancient Vedic vision of the self as asaṅga, unaffected by fear or sorrow, and offer practical and easily assimilable suggestions for translating this vision into one’s everyday life.

 

See Swamini’s Page for Video recordings and Audio talks of previous talks.   Access recordings of online classes Here

 

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Swami Paramatmanandaji visited our  Bay Area on April 15-21st 2019

We had a very insightful set of talks by Swamiji during his recent visit to bay area from June15th -21st. Please go to this link for recordings of Swamiji’s talks. Swamiji, is a revered teacher with his own ashram in Rajkot. His wisdom, humor and communication skills reminded many of us of the teaching style of his guru, Pujya Swami Dayananda.

See Swamiji’s Page for Video recordings and Audio talks and pictures of a wonderful visit.

 

 

 

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For website inquiries, contact Raj.paripatyadar@gmail.com,  408 476 1638