Why Swami Vivekananda Matters
Swami Vivekananda was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga philosophies to the western world. Pravrajika Brahmaprana, editor of Swami Vivekenada’s writings Volume 9 shares how the impact of this great spiritual teacher contributes to the spiritual awakening of our world.
Our guest Pravrajika Brahmaprana is a member of the Sarada Convent in Southern California since 1973 and an ordained nun or sannyasini of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. Brahmaprana has been a Vedanta representative of the Hindu-Catholic Dialog sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as interfaith councils and initiatives in Dallas-Fort Worth, a frequent guest lecturer at schools and colleges in America and has participated in interfaith and scholastic seminars in America and abroad. She is currently the Resident Minister of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of North Texas. She has compiled and edited several books on Vedanta, including The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 9. Find out more about her and the Vedanta Society of North Texas atvedantaDFW.org.
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THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: Pravrajika Brahmaprana offered such a deep knowledge of what Swami Vivekananda offered to the world in the way of honoring the deep spiritual teachings of each religion, teaching that we are all divine spiritual beings capable of enlightenment. Vivekananda also encouraged interreligious conversations and was the first Swami from India to bring the teachings of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western World. Swami Vivekenananda important teachings on Karma Yoga (service as spiritual practice) as a path to spiritual enlightenment was also discussed. Pravrajika Bhahmaprana brought Vivekananda to life with her beautiful spirit, and her deep understanding of his teachings.
DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I appreciated anew that Vivekananda was a founder of the interfaith movement, and was particularly interested in the quote Brahmaprana shared from Vivekananda at the close of the Parliament of World’s Religions in 1893: “Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid.” I enjoyed her discussion of how Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless service, plays a role in the other 3 forms of yoga: Bhakti Yoga (yoga of devotion), Raja Yoga (8 limbs of yoga), and Jyana Yoga (yoga of wisdom). It was a joy to become more familiar with Vivekananda’s writings, particular his book Karma-Yoga.