VedantaPhilippines

The heart of our Society is Spirituality. That is our Society’s flagship program, which we endeavor to make available to all serious and sincere seekers after truth on a regular on continuing basis. We aim to be a spiritual lighthouse to those who find themselves tossed about in the rough and stormy seas of the world. We aim to be available and ready to extend a spiritual lifeline to those who in those seas are in danger of drowning.

While religion includes ritualism, customs, theology, mythology and in fact encompasses everything regarding God, spirituality emphasizes the philosophy of life, the transformation and betterment of life as a means to attaining lasting peace, joy, wisdom and freedom.

The ideas expressed above are symbolized in the emblem of the Ramakrishna Order (this page header) that was designed by Swami Vivekananda while in an exalted mood of spiritual inspiration. This is indeed the most eloquent expression of what he really preached and what he wanted everyone to be. The goal of life is to realize one's real Self and be spiritually free. The wavy waters in the emblem are symbolic of Karma (selfless and detached action), the lotus of Bhakti (devotion), and the rising-sun of Jnana (spiritual knowledge). The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga and its awakened power, while the swan stands for the Atman, or one’s own real Self. Therefore, the ideal of the emblem is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the vision of the Atman is obtained.

All of our Society’s daily, weekly religious programs, celebrations, rituals, as well as our charitable activities, book sales, etc. are but means and practices aimed at the attainment of spirituality in our very life. These activities are also given in other pages of this website, but for easy reference they are listed again here below. Since actual dates of the celebrations vary every year depending on lunar calendar, the public is encouraged to contact us for more details.

Swami Udaarananda, the Spiritual Minister of our Society, is a qualified monk of the Ramakrishna Order, who, after having undergone nearly a decade of arduous spiritual training, has logged over two decades of spiritual ministry. The presence of such monk in our midst is not a common and every-day feat and it is our Society’s aim, hope and prayer that the public will take advantage of the rare opportunity of having such a monk with us for the benefit and betterment of Philippine society.