Meeting notes of the weekly classes

Google meet link for the weekly class.
Notes for class on 31/3/2026
  • In the last class we read about Naren's meeting with Sri Ramakrishna and how sri Ramakrishna used to test him, warn him.
  • We had a lengthy discussion on what does an impure thought mean(a thought with raga and dvesha is impure.)
  • We had a guided meditation session and then started reading the lesson-1 of Shankaracharya life history book.
  • In today's class we will have 3 things-(i) reading from Swamiji's life history, (ii) guided meditation activity (iii) reading from Śri Śaṅkara Bhagavatpāda Vṛttānta Sāra Sarvasv
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 7/4/2026
  • In the last class we read about Naren's meeting with Sri Ramakrishna and state of Naren's family after Naren's father's death.
  • In today's class we will have 3 things-(i) reading from Swamiji's life history, (ii) guided meditation activity (iii) reading from Śri Śaṅkara Bhagavatpāda Vṛttānta Sāra Sarvasv
Lecture link for the next class link 1.
Notes for class on 31/3/2026
  • In the last class we read about Swamiji's meeting with Sri Ramakrishna.
  • In this class we shall continue from the same lecture.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 24/3/2026
  • In the last class we read about the early life of Swamiji and his meeting with Sri Ramakrishna.
  • In this class we shall continue from the same lecture.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 17/3/2026
  • In the last class we completed the book His call to the Nations.
  • As a concluding lecture there were multiple important comments made by Swamiji in terms of keeping up the ideals with respect to India.
  • Renunciation and service are the national ideals of India.
  • One must have faith in oneself that he is born to do great things.
  • India will be raised with the power of spirit, and not with the power of soul.
  • If one is able to sacrifice his/her life for a cause then only he/she can become a leader.
  • Expansion (being unselfish) is life and contraction is death.
  • The only service for the lower class is to educate them. Feel for the poor, the ignorant.
  • Be the servant while leading.
  • Swamiji's faith is on the young generation who are lions.
  • True equality can never be achieved on earth.
  • God and Truth are the only politics in the world.
  • Next we started to read a new book by Swami Nikhilananda ji Maharaj on Biography of Vivekananda
  • In the upcoming class we will start from Chapter-2 of Swamiji's Biography.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 10/3/2026
  • We saw how Swamiji emphasizes for serving everyone.
  • To serve only the three things are needed from our side-heart to feel, brain to conceive, hand to work. (Rest all will align up in its place)
  • Religion is the idea which rises brute unto man and man unto God.
  • The difference between a devil and God lies in the aspect of being selfish.
  • We cannot see impurity outside without we having on it.
  • The only sin in the world is to say that you are weak.
  • Man is the Tajmahal of temples. If one doesnt know to worship man then no temple will be of any use.
  • Religion is the manifestation of natural strength (divinity) that is in man.
  • The book from which you learn religion is your own mind and heart.
  • In the upcoming class we will start the next chapter on "India:Our Motherland".
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 3/3/2026
  • Love, sincerity, and patience are the three things which are essential to pursue any work.
  • By imitating others ideas we never become one's own. We should modernize not westernize.
  • One cannot help anyone, he can just serve others.
  • Let the poor, downtrodden, ignorant be your god. Who serves jiva, serves the God indeed.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 24/2/2026
  • In the last class we had a discussion on how the statement every knowledge comes from within, where in sir was giving us an example that information is what which comes from outside and the knowledge comes from inside with thorough contemplation.
  • We saw three things which swamiji mention to make a man great-conviction on the power of goodness, absence of jealousy and suspicion, helping all.
  • यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च य:-we had a discussion on this sloka briefly.
  • Also we ended the lecture by reading one of the very important quotes that wickedness is ignorance and telling other person about his wickedness is not a wise act (not to recognize wickedness in others). Instead tell about his glorious nature.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 17/2/2026
  • In the last class we read the chapter Man-the maker of his destiny in His Call to the Nations book.
  • A few important quotes like "Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man", "Each soul is potentially divine and the goal is to manifest its divinity within by controlling the nature external and internal" were discussed in the last class.
  • We saw that there are 3 levels- animal level, human level, divine level. Gomu sir beautifully explained in last class how the normal education is discussed in terms of human level (in terms of manifestation of perfection already in man), spiritual education in terms of divine level (goal is to manifest this divinity either through work, worship, physique control or philosophy.)
  • We ended the session discussing about Shraddha in the last class. We will continue from this next.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 10/2/2026
  • In the last class, we saw powerful quotes of Swamiji on faith, fearlessness.
  • We had one chapter especially on concentration, which is the major power that differentiates between a man and an animal or one man and another man.
  • We will continue with the Man is the maker of his own destiny lecture next.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 3/2/2026
  • In the last class we read the first chapter in Call to the Youth of Nations book.
  • We saw about a short biography of Swamiji's life history on how he came to Sri Ramakrishna, his journey as wandering monk, Swamiji's Chicago lecture, Swamiji's lecture from Columbo to Almora.
  • Today we will start the next chapter.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 27/1/2026
  • In the last class we saw about Swamiji's ideas on Women education and educating the masses.
  • One has to ensure that education goes to all the masses. If the student is not able to come towards education, education has to go towards him.
  • Swamiji was also mentioning about three things-feeling to help, finding the solution, steadfastness in truth for any great achievement.
  • At last we saw some gist similar to the lectures of Karma Yoga about the story of Sanyasin and the householder lady doing their duty as a sacrifice without expecting anyother thing.
  • Today we will start a new book "Call to the Youth of Nations".
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 20/1/2026
  • In the last week we saw Swamiji telling about the new religion which says one who doesnt believe in himself is an atheist.
  • We also saw Swamiji emphasizing to have physical strength so that the Gita can be understood even better. (This is mainly to say that one can gain confidence if his physical health is good.)
  • We also saw about the Alexander and a monk story where Alexander when threatens the monk, he was bold enough to reject the proposal of the emperor.
  • Swamiji in the last lecture also insisted on willingly giving to all. We will continue with next lesson today.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 13/1/2026
  • Education is shift of body to mind. Body needs are nothing but animal extincts.
  • Character is formed by repeated thoughts, actions, and habits, we become what we consistently think and do.
  • Suffering and struggle teaches more than comfort, awakening inner strength and wisdom.
  • True power lies in inner personality and will, not merely words, intellect, or outward achievements. Personality is the reason why certain people though having less degrees can influence more people than a person with all the degrees.
  • Self mastery, purity, and disciplined habits enable control over mind, actions, and destiny.
  • Real education is man making, transmitted through character, example, love, and inner transformation rather than information alone.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 06/01/2026
  • In the last class we started Education lectures of Swamiji, before which we read a brief intro about the author who compiled the lectures TS Avinashilingam.
  • The lecture started with the line-"Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man".
  • Swamiji was telling in this lecture how all knowledge is within and a teach can only make suggestions to rouse the internal teacher to understand things.
  • Swamiji was telling about the importance of Concentration and he mentioned its power of concentration which differentiates one man from another.
  • We had a discussion about faith and belief and Shankaracharya Gita bashya-18-66 which talks condemning blind faith on Vedas too.
Lecture link for the next class.
Notes for class on 30/12/2025
  • Swamiji explains Christ as a divine manifestation through Maya, teaching that realizing God within transcends good and evil through selfless love and service.
  • Swamiji teaches that steadfast devotion to one’s own path leads to realizing the universal Spirit, dissolving fear through unity with God.
  • Swamiji defines Bhakti as total, selfless love for God that dissolves ego and merges supreme love with highest knowledge in infinite bliss.
Lecture link for the next class.