04/29/98 - 1774

Dharma Journal 4-26-98

USA (VNN) - The Electronic Newsletter of the Sanatana Dharma Student Association
(The Hindu student and faculty organization of the University of Wisconsin)


Always thinking of Me, become My devotee.
Offer obeisances and worship Me.
Being thus completely absorbed in Me,
you will surely come to Me.

(Lord Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita 9: 34)


Announcements

1) Buddhism talk. Colin Oglesbay, the Secretary of the SDSA, will give a lecture introducing our members to the history and philosophy of Buddhism. The talk will be on Sunday, May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in Union South. Call Colin (608) 256-3458.

2) What Is Hinduism? On Monday, May 4th, Frank Morales, the Advisor of the SDSA, will be giving an introductory talk on Hinduism at Madison West High School, on Regent Street. The lecture will begin at 1:30 p.m. Call Frank (608) 288-0266.

3) Narasinghadeva. Saturday, May 9th, will be the Appearance Day of Lord Narasingha, the incarnation (avatara) of Sriman Narayana.

4) Oshkosh Hindu Community Puja. On Sunday, May 17th, our members will be travelling to Oshkosh for a puja and satsang program at the home of our President, Sumit Ringwala, and his parents. This event is part of the regular weekly puja sponsored by the Oshkosh Hindu community. The satsang talk will be delivered by Frank Morales, the Advisor of the SDSA. Call Sumit (608) 264-0379.


Article

FATE, FREE WILL & THE CONSCIOUS SHAPING of DESTINY

by Howard Beckman

As an astrologer who uses primarily the Vedic sidereal system, and teaches it to others, often I’m asked about the role of free-will and how it affects what is already fated to occur in a lifetime. As Vedic astrology is a startlingly accurate predictive system, often people wonder if there’s anything that can be done to change it. The answer lies not in “changing” the destiny, but in “shaping” it. “Prarabda” is the Sanskrit term for the karma set into motion at the time of conception, so even before birth the details of occurrences and opportunities in the present incarnation are “written”, so to speak. Therefore the question is, “if you can accurately tell me about my past, thereby giving me confidence that what you say about my future is also true, why should I bother trying to change or develop? Everything’s already set to happen!”. You can’t imagine how many times this question has arisen in my work as an astrologer.

To a great degree it is true that the circumstances and opportunities to come about in life are already set and they will come at their appointed time according to astronomical configurations which will then set certain circumstances into motion. This does not ascertain the “outcome” of said situations, though. This is where one’s knowledge, desires, and free will to choose particular courses of action come in. One person may receive an opportunity and due to lack of confidence, laziness, or lack of interest make nothing of it. Another may seize an opportunity and then make a great success of it. It’s all a matter of knowledge of knowing how to act in one’s own best interests.

Therefore a horoscope, as we draw it in the Vedic, Indian, or Hindu tradition is meant to be a road map for one to follow in order that we may make the best choices in life for success in all areas. Some occurrences which may seem horrific can be lessened to the point where the difficulty is almost minute or negligeable. Other occurrences which could lead to greater opportunity and expansion in life can be a passing moment of satisfaction, rather than a momentous gainful time due to inaction or apathy. It’s really up to ourselves as individuals. How much effort are you willing to put into your own success? I’m sure none would argue with the statement that “anything worth having is worth working hard for”. This, dear readers, is the key to success in life. In the “Mahabharata”, the great epic of Indian/Vedic history, is contained the great philosophical treatise of the Bhagavad-Gita. After this historic battle a question was asked of the great yogi and military general (bet you thought those two occupations couldn’t possibly be compatible, didn’t you?) Bhisma, grandfather of both factions. The question was “of the two forces of nature-destiny and action-which is more powerful? His answer was that both are powerful, but action moreso because “action shapes destiny”.

This answer is applicable to each and every one of us individually in our present (and future) lives, as well as our collective destiny on the planet earth. Proper action can shape destiny to our benefit always. Therefore we must understand what are nature’s laws and how to live within their boundaries so as not to commit actions which will bind us to present and future suffering karmically, and to learn what actions will create the circumstances we desire, be it a more advanced lifetime of material pleasure on this or higher planets (Vedic cosmology is full of mind-blowing information of countless planetary systems where the standard of knowledge and material pleasures are far superior to what is available here on earth), or the development of higher consciousness to rid yourself of material bondage by transcendental development of higher consciousness. It is a matter of learning what is required, and for this we need the benefit of wisdom. One “whose eyes have seen the truth” can impart it to another. This is true in all forms of knowledge. Can you become a successful carpenter by just “deciding that’s what you’re going to do” or is it necessary to gain knowledge of woodworking, construction, etc.? Therefore it should be understood that nature’s laws are very strict and if we are not living in accordance with them, we shall suffer endlessly.

My approach to an astrological consultation is to help a person understand how to lessen the difficulties to come, and how to increase the boons. For example if Jupiter is greatly afflicted and shows respiratory or liver weakness (this is just an example as no position acts the same in any two charts due to the other differences) and I see affliction to these parts of the body due to come in the future, would there be any way of avoidance? My answer is an unequivocal YES! It all depends on your actions to shape the future which as yet has not been manifested. If you smoke cigarettes or are a heavy drinker of alcohol, then certainly this situation will occur with all it’s pain and suffering. What, though, might be the outcome if you decided to quit smoking, drink very little or none at all, go on a cleansing, then rejuvenating diet, and take up a complete exercise regime, including one for relaxation from stress (such as is available through the practice of yoga and meditation). I can tell you from experience that people willing to act to avert a “karmic circumstance” can avert it to the point where it seems never to occur. In other words you may have an affliction, but it takes the form of a temporary cold or flu, or some temporary digestive problems.

This is why only if we are willing to positively take destiny into our own hands can we shape our lives toward success materially, emotionally, and spiritually. I have clients who have had horrendous experiences in marriage and marital-type partnerships which seem to happen over and over again. Once we were able to sit down and do some evaluation of “why” we chose a certain person to be with, or “how to avoid repeating the same scenarios” in future, things began to change. Persons who felt lost and incapable of any spiritual growth within found their “inner soul”, so to speak, through deep philosophical discussion and contemplation, then found life took on a whole new meaning from then on, and the former “hopelessness” disappeared. We all have our weak points and times when we’re not at our best, but through constantly trying to improve ourselves “from the inside out” we can shape destiny to our greatest benefit.

I can’t count how many times a person has called asking “can you bring my love back, .....bring me wealth through lucky lottery numbers.....or a magic incantation to make me rich, happy, healthy, or whatever”. I always say, “no. I can give you accurate information of your personal karmic destiny and counsel you as to right actions to achieve all you can out of life, but you will be the one who does the work and causes the changes through putting knowledge of your future and action to shape it into play. If you always put your faith in someone else to solve your problems then you’re giving away your power in life. Besides don’t you generally end up feeling cheated when you expect such things anyway? Take responsibility for your own life and learn how to act in your own best benefit. Learn what the playing field of this lifetime holds, then how to shape it to fulfill your desires in a positive and progressive way. This I call “learning the secrets to self-empowerment”. We cannot supercede our karma completely, but with knowledge of what the future holds, and faith in ourselves and in God, we can bring ourselves into harmony within and with the world around us. Blessings to all. Hari Om.

Howard Beckman (Hamsavatar das)
Vedic Cultural Fellowship
web: http://www.vedastro.demon.co.uk
e-mail: Howard@vedastro.demon.co.uk


Letters

Reply-To: danclark108@geocities.com
To: fmorale1@students.wisc.edu
Subject: your article concerning negativity towards India and Hinduism in the American press

Wonderful article. I urge you to send it to The New York Times, The Associated Press, etc. perhaps with signatures. I'll gladly offer mine.

Namaste. Hare Krsna.

Vajresvari devi dasi (Ellie Clark)

***

Subject: Re: your article concerning negativity towards India and Hinduism in the American Press

Namaste!

Thanks for the comments.

Note that the Overseas Friends of BJP recently met with the New York Times and
got them to give at least a grudging apology.

After that the newspaper did a fairly nice article on the Kumbha Mela, the
first thing decent they have published about Hinduism since anyone remembers.

Please write your own letters to newspapers. It is best for as many people as
possible to get involved in this. My article is being circulated in a number
of Hindu groups.

Best Wishes,

Vamadeva


Appeal

As a Hindu student organization the primary function of which is educational, we need literature of any kind about Sanatana Dharma to share with our members and friends. If you have any books, magazines, pamphlets, C.D.s, cassettes, software, or anything at all - either new or used - that you can give us, please send them to:

SDSA
c/o Frank Morales
1128 Morraine View Drive, #305
Madison, WI 53719

Thank you!


Frank Morales - Advisor/Editor
fmorale1@students.wisc.edu
(608) 288-0266