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This
is because its roots go deep into the very essence of life and living.
We always say- Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life. A
way of life with its roots embedded in dynamic philosophy. When
the roots are nourished, the tree grows of its own accord, enriching
every branch however small, and yielding its fruit, even if unsought!
So today, despite all the apparent differences and warring sects,
the truth which binds them all is one. There is only one reality-
within and without. That thou art. This is the wisdom enshrined
in the Upanishads. This is the message of Vedanta.
&
The Teachers....
The
earliest crusader of Vedanta, historically is Sri Adi Shankaracharya,
supposed to have lived between 788-820 AD. He wrote major commentaries
on the source books of Vedanta and traveled extensively to spread
its message. It is credited to Sri Shankaracharya for the consolidation
and effective presentation of the revelations of the Upanishads.
He cleared the dross of philosophical speculations and superstitious
religious beliefs and upheld the pristine glory of Vedanta. His
major contribution to Hinduism has been the organization of its
monastic members. This has set a pattern for an unbroken lineage
and a tradition of teachers.
None
the less, there have been many non-monastic teachers and their contribution
to the spiritual heritage is unparalleled. The adventurous practices
of Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) and the benign influence of Sri Ramana
Maharishi (1879-1950) provides a re-education of spiritual living,
which is witnessed even to this day. The credit of carrying the
message of Vedanta to the western world goes to Swami Vivekananda,
the illustrious disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)
opened the doors of eastern wisdom to western thought and today
the world stands revolutionized by it.
Swami
Sivananda (1887-1963) needs no introduction for the present times.
The Master of masters lived, taught and trained many seekers of
wisdom from his abode in Rishikesh, Himalayas. The Divine life society
founded by him has gifted to the world many teachers who have engulfed
the world with their spirituality.
Contemporary
to Swami Sivananda; was Swami Tapovananam (1886-1957) of Uttarakashi,
a great scholar-saint of the Himalayas. A student of these two masters
who descended from the Himalayas and lit ablaze the flame of spiritual
revival was Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993) the foremost of Vedanta
masters and the greatest exponent of our times on the Bhagavad Gita.
He was a trendsetter in bringing the wisdom of Vedanta to the masses.
"
A Master is someone who started much before you did "
-Says Swami Advaitananda, the inspiration behind the Brahma Vidya Ashrama.
He
is neither a teacher nor a therapist in the conventional sense,
both of whom are available in plenty nowadays. He claims no skills
or techniques as his own contributions. He is only a messenger from
the Masters who upholds the tradition of Vedanta.
Swamiji’s
life has been that of quest since his early days. Seeking answers
to his experiences and wanting to know of the Higher Reality, he
traveled far and wide. He cherished the guidance of those who had
already walked the path. In his journey towards the Truth, he was
guided and inspired by many masters of Shaivism and the Agamas until
he finally came under the tutelage of Swami Chinmayananda, the founder
of Chinmaya Mission and renowned authority on the Bhagavad Geetha.
Having completed scriptural studies with Swami Chidananda as the
acharya, he retired to the Himalayas for silence and solitude. Living
in the Himalayan monasteries, he got acquainted with Shad-Darshanas,
the six schools of Indian Philosophy.
He
is a guide on the path, a gifted speaker and a prolific writer.
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