Ramakrishna Order

[Pineblossom]

I am really new here and new to any real exposure to Hinduism so please forgive any lack of appropriate etiquette.

After reading the Bhagavad Gita I was attracted to this order mainly because there is so little to choose from in my neck of the woods. I have spoken with two swamis from the Order and read some material.

I am off on a trip in a week to the two epicentres of the world's religions - Jerusalem and Varanasi. I will be staying in retreat centers and ashrams.

I would like to know your thoughts on the Order.

 

[sthitpradnya]

the ramkrishna mission is headquartered at belur/dakshineshwar in the state of west bengal( recently renamed pashchim banga) the order teaches a pure form of yog called raj-yog. though i hear the screening tests are tough for an aspiring candidate.

 

[Vinayaka]

I was once invited to dine with the head of the Chicago branch. Very nice swami, some great stories. My take was that as an order they were more intellectual and less mystical than some other sampradayas, which seemed to me a bit ironic given the mystic nature of whose teachings the order was founded on.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

The Ramakrishna order is a well respected group. They have produced may saints and have been a huge influence on the western intelligencia. They are a bit on the dry intellectual side of things. I have stayed at there centers all over India they are a great help in navigating a place like Varanasi. You might be able to talk one of the swami's or Brahmacharya into taking you to the Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. If you are a Westerner you must ware Indian clothes and go about 4 am.

 

[Pineblossom]

Thank you all for you insights.

I guess the intellectual side will appeal to me.

Than you WY for caution about having to wear Indian clothes. What would I need.

I will be staying at the Ramakrishna Mission at Varanasi so I guess I will be bought up to speed concerning dress requirements.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Thank you all for you insights.

I guess the intellectual side will appeal to me.

Than you WY for caution about having to wear Indian clothes. What would I need.

I will be staying at the Ramakrishna Mission at Varanasi so I guess I will be bought up to speed concerning dress requirements.

I have stayed there you do not need "Indian" clothes. It helps if you want to get in to the Vishwanath and Annapurna temples in Varanasi. It also helps when walking around, less beggars and shopkeepers will bother you.

Also eat with the Monks and not a private room it is way more fun. Go to Sarnath were the Lord Buddha did his 1st teaching. Varanasi is a wild place go with an open mind and try to look beyond the poverty.

 

[Pineblossom]

Again, thank you.

Coming from my comfort of Western culture I am sure I will be challenged.

I have stayed in Dharmsala for three months some ten years ago where the population will be a fraction of Varanasi and Kolkata.

I try to keep my mind open.

 

[Atman]

Namaste Pineblossom.

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was no doubt a Bhakta, Siddha, and renunciate of the highest nature, some even believe him to have been an avatar (incarnation) of God. If you ever have the chance please read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. It definitely changed how I looked at God, and opened up the doors of monistic philsophy for me.

As others have already mentioned the order is a very well esteemed and organized group. The have a Ramakrishna Mission which does a lot of charity work throughout India and the world. Swami Vivekananda and other esteemed monks have acted as ambassadors of Hinduism to the rest of the world, with Vivekananda having spoken at the 1893 Paeliament of World's Religions and being very well recieved. Likewise the Ramakrishna order was been instrumental in reforming casteist and sexist practices/attitudes amongst Hindus. Without Vivekananda or Ramakrishna, Hinduism would not be what it is today, and this is no exaggeration.

 

[Pineblossom]

Namaste Pineblossom.

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was no doubt a Bhakta, Siddha, and renunciate of the highest nature, some even believe him to have been an avatar (incarnation) of God. If you ever have the chance please read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. It definitely changed how I looked at God, and opened up the doors of monistic philsophy for me.

As others have already mentioned the order is a very well esteemed and organized group. The have a Ramakrishna Mission which does a lot of charity work throughout India and the world. Swami Vivekananda and other esteemed monks have acted as ambassadors of Hinduism to the rest of the world, with Vivekananda having spoken at the 1893 Paeliament of World's Religions and being very well recieved. Likewise the Ramakrishna order was been instrumental in reforming casteist and sexist practices/attitudes amongst Hindus. Without Vivekananda or Ramakrishna, Hinduism would not be what it is today, and this is no exaggeration.

Namaste

I can obtain access to the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna online via Belur Math and it is one of my must 'buys' while in India.

Thank you for your observations. As a departing Christian I had some exposure to the Order but in Australia their centers are far away from where I live. I have felt nothing but good vibes from my contacts with the Order in Australia.

Aapka P