Vedanta Society of Portland
1157 S.E. 55th Avenue, Portland, OR 97215
Phone/Fax (503) 235-3919
email: vedanta@cyberhighway.net
January 1998
Minister: Swami Shantarupananda
Ramakrishna Order of India

The following are the Society's services, classes, and special events for this month. All are welcome.

Sunday Services (Sunday morning services will be held at 11:00 AM.)

Evening Class on Scriptures

Tuesdays

Thursdays Special Celebrations
January 1 Kalpataru Day 12 noon & 7:30 PM
January 4 Swami Saradananda 7:30 PM
January 11 Swami Turiyananda 7:30 PM
January 20 Swami Vivekananda 6:30 PM
January 29 Swami Brahmananda 6:30 PM
January 31 Swami Trigunatitananda 7:30 PM
Interviews (Interviews are by appointment only) Swami Shantarupananda will be glad to grant interviews to those who wish to know more about Vedanta. Individual instruction and guidance are given by the Swami to those who wish to practice prayer and meditation. Retreat Services at Scappoose There will be no services in January at the Retreat Temple near Scappoose. However, the services will resume in the spring. Sunday School - 11:00 AM Teachers: Priscilla Meddaugh, Kathe Fradkin, and Darla Clark. Membership Membership to the Society is open to all who are in sympathy with the universal teachings of Vedanta as demonstrated in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Special Programs

Thursday, January 1: Kalpataru Day

12 Noon - Worship, flower offering and prasad, luncheon (in the Shrine)
7:30 PM - Talk, reading and prasad
Tuesday, January 20: Swami Vivekananda Birthday Celebration
6:30 PM - Worship, flower offering and potluck dinner (in the Chapel)
Thursday, January 29: Swami Brahmananda Birthday Celebration
6:30 PM - Worship, flower offering and potluck dinner (in the Chapel)
Library The Society's library contains a collection of books on Vedanta and other philosophical and religious systems of the world. The library remains open before Sunday Services. Only members can borrow books from the library. Bookstore The Bookstore remains open before and after Sunday Services. Books, incense, holy pictures, images and other articles of the Shrine are available.

Glimpses of a Great Soul, a Portrait of Swami Saradananda, a biography and reminiscences about one of Sri Ramakrishna's direct disciples and the first General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Order by Swami Aseshananda, who served as his personal secretary and attendant for many years. Price $6.45. Postage extra.

What Swami Vivekananda Means to Me, a collection of essays commemorating the Centenary of Swamiji's coming to America. By devotees associated with the Vedanta Society of Portland. Price $5.00.

 We wish you a Happy New Year.

Audio Cassette Tapes of Swami Aseshananda

Tapes of the Swami's lectures are $5.99 each or $60 for the entire set of eleven titles. Titles available are:  
Holy Mother 
Steps to Illumination 
Three Great Blessings 
Katha Upanishad 
Raja Yoga 
Holy Company (evening readings) 
Companion of Sri Krishna (Reminiscences of Swami Brahmananda) 
Divine Life (Reminiscences of Swami Shivananda) 
The Message of Swami Yogananda 
Divine Love (Reminiscences of Swami Premananda) 
A Knower of God (Reminiscences of Swami Vijnanananda) 
1998 Karma Yoga

Taking the opportunity to serve the Lord is an important part of spiritual life. This year, Mother's temples in both Portland and Scappoose provide abundant chances for Karma Yoga.

The Scappoose retreat has eight on-going project areas:

1. The Swami Vivekananda room:

Swami's new room in the main temple upstairs.
2. The new Sri Sarada rooms:
Once finished, members can spend time having personal retreats at the temple.
3. Workshop/Storage:
A room to keep tools and equipment downstairs.
4. Main Temple:
Inside painting both up-stairs and down.
5. Landscaping:
Building walkways, pruning, & weeding.
6. Shrines:
Improving walkways and minor repairs.
7. Trails:
Clearing old trails and developing new ones.
8. Deck construction:
Upstairs, off the south side of the main temple.
The Portland Main Temple needs:

1. New linoleum:

In the downstairs hall-ways, kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Painting:
The shrine, main chapel, foyer ceiling, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and Brahmananda Hall.
Those interested, please contact Swami Shantarupananda for details.