Friday Class
The Crest Jewel of Wisdom
With Swami Tattwamayananda
Friday, September 25, 2026
7:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific
Join Us in Person
Old Temple Auditorium
2963 Webster Street, San Francisco
Auditorium entrance on Filbert Street
Join our study of Vivekachudamani, “The Crest Jewel of Wisdom,”
an introductory text on Advaita Vedanta.
Also available online:
September 27, 2026
Sunday Lecture
With Brahmachari Niranjana Chaitanya
Sunday, September 27, 2026
11 a.m. Pacific
Join Us in Person
New Temple
2323 Vallejo Street, San Francisco
Join Brahmachari Niranjana Chaitanya for a morning of reverent
reflection on Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
Also available online:
Sunday Online Class
Indian Philosophy of Values
With Swami Tattwamayananda
Sunday, September 27, 2026
6–7:30 p.m. Pacific
Sunday Online Class
Hosted by the
Stanford Hindu Students Association
Explore the wisdom of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana through
Vedanta, with insights into ethical living, spiritual growth,
and inner harmony.
Join live:
September 5–7, 2026
Vedanta Retreat
Olema, Marin County
FROM BONDAGE TO BLESSEDNESS:
The Spiritual Journey in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
Conducted by Swami Tattwamayananda
The Labor Day Retreat explored one of Sri Ramakrishna’s profound teachings of great spiritual significance: the ideal of self-surrender, known in the devotional tradition as prapatti or śaraṇāgati.
This teaching was discussed in the light of Sri Ramanuja’s philosophy of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta,
in which śaraṇāgati—complete surrender to God—occupies a central and vital place in spiritual life.
Sri Ramakrishna repeatedly emphasized the importance of surrender to the Divine, particularly in the path of bhakti, or devotion. His teachings beautifully illustrate how self-surrender can become a powerful means
of overcoming ego, deepening faith, and establishing an intimate relationship with God.
The subject was presented through five separate lectures, each examining a different dimension of self-surrender and its significance in devotional and spiritual life. The lectures were followed by question-and-answer sessions, offering further clarification and reflection on the teachings discussed.
The complete Labor Day Retreat recordings are available on the VSNC YouTube playlist.
View photos from the three-day Labor Day Retreat at the Vedanta Retreat in Olema.
We thank all the devotees and volunteers whose participation, service, and support
helped make the Labor Day Retreat possible.
Reflect on these inspiring spiritual thoughts and share them with family and friends.
September 23, 2026
September 23, 2026
May 12, 2024
May 21, 2017
February 18, 2024
December 12, 2021
at the Vedanta Society of Northern California
We carry a selection of the best in all the major religious traditions and contemporary spirituality; translations of Sanskrit religious classics; and many children’s books that are both attractive and meaningful.
A partial listing is given here for online ordering and many more are available in the bookshop itself. Inquiries are welcome.
The Motto of the Ramakrishna Order (a traditional monastic order founded by Sri Ramakrishna in 1896; Organized by Swami Vivekananda in 1897).
In pursuit of this ideal, monastic life includes a variety of spiritual practices, such as meditation, worshipa, and scriptural study, as well as routine tasks of maintenance and service. For those interested and qualified, the monastic path may be meaningful and fulfilling. A monastery and convent are maintained by the Society, giving an opportunity to qualified young men and women to devote themselves exclusively to spiritual life.
