I was so inspired by this article, its insights and perceptions on the Beatitudes that Jesus gave us in his Sermon on the Mount.
It was written by Pravrajika Baradaprana, a senior nun of the Vedanta Society of Southern California at Sarada Convent, Santa Barbara, California. She has contributed articles for various Vedanta journals. The article below is from a class given in the Vedanta Temple in Santa Barbara.
THE BEATITUDES
Pravrajika Baradaprana
I had a look at some of the other articles on their website and also found this one very interesting:
[url]WHAT CHRIST MEANS TO ME[/url]
Swami Prabhavananda
It includes the description of a vision of Jesus that Sri Ramakrishna had.
Love and peace,
Judy
Thanks for the links Judy.....
I just love the very last passage......and so very true!
That eternal Christ is not to be found in churches, nor in temples; not in books, nor in scriptures—but within your own heart. Find him there.
Thank you so much for this, Judy.
I'd forgotten that Swami Prabhavananda was a disciple of Swami Brahmananda. Swami Brahmananda is someone that I have admired immensely, and I am indebted to his teachings.
Your post also reminded me that I have copies of The Sermon on the Mount according to Vedanta and The Eternal Companion (both mentioned in the link), and I now feel inspired to re-read them.
In that link, as well as the one Oakapple mentions, these passages stand out for me; they're great definitions of Sanathana Dharma:
As different streams coming from various sources ultimately flow into one ocean, so do the many religions of the world, emerging from innumerable sources, at long last mingle in the great ocean of love.
This truth is in the very atmosphere; it exists eternally, in every human heart. It only waits to be unfolded.
If you go to the source, you will find that the same truth lies beneath all religions.
Like Swami Prabhavananda I have attended Christmas services in a Hindu temple, and they have been some of the most deeply moving occasions for me. Indeed, my understanding of Christ's message became so much more clear and real to me there, in that temple, than it had in any church I'd attended.