Vedanta Society Berkeley maintains libraries both in   Berkeley Center and San Jose House. Books on Vedanta Philosophy,   Religion, and Other Philosophical Systems and Religious      Traditions of the world are available for the members to borrow. 

Books on Vedanta and Indian Religious literature are sold at the bookstore in the foyer of the Berkeley Center after Sunday and Thursday lectures. And at San Jose House before and after the Wednesday ‘Yogadharana’  and  Sunday evening lectures.

Prayer & Meditation

Those who like to spend some time in prayer, meditation, and to attend vesper service are welcome to do so at the   sanctuary of Berkeley center from 6:30 to 8:00 pm every evening except Sunday and Wednesday; and

at San Jose House every Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 pm and 6:30 pm   respectively.

Worship of Mother Durga  at Vedanta Society Berkeley and San Jose House

Swami Prasannatmananda, Swami-in-Charge of Vedanta Society Berkeley performed the worship of Mother Durga on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at 3pm.  More than 150 devotees participated in the celebration in Berkeley.  Melodious chanting and songs of Alokparna set the tune of worship. Swami Vedananda from Vedanta Society of Northern California, Swami Prapannananda and Swami Ishadyanananda from Vedanta Society of Sacramento were also a part of the worship. All attendees who participated in the worship offered flowers to Mother Durga while repeating mantra chanted by Sw. Prasannatmananda. Several volunteers helped in preparation for worship, cooking, serving prasad, and taking care of the bookstall.  Devotees enjoyed sumptuous prasad at the Saradananda Hall after the worship.  

 

               The talk ‘Five Verses of Enlightenment’ was based on the Manisha Panchakam. The lectures had two parts with the first part focusing on the first verse and the second part focusing on the next four verses. The lecture was accepted and appreciated widely by all the 400 attendees on the first day, the Oct. 25, and the 300 attendees on the second day, the Oct. 26, despite it being the Diwali weekend and warnings of widespread power outage.

               Because of the huge request from the audience, a Q & A session was arranged on the Oct. 26, which was very engaging, enlightening and participatory. Sw. Prasannatmananda, Swami-in-Charge, Vedanta Society Berkeley welcomed and introduced Swami Sarvapriyananda to the audience before his talk and also thanked him for these special lectures at the end of the second day. Sw. Prasannatmananda also welcomed all attendees and conveyed thanks to all at the end of the program. Organist of the Church Mr. Willam Ludtke’s beautiful playing of grand pipe organ created unique ambience and setting before the lecture on both the days.

 

'The Soul is the unity of all personalities, and because It is at rest, eternal, unchangeable. It is God, Atman. It is not life, but It is coined into life. It is not pleasure, but It is manufactured into pleasure.  ... Seek truth for truth's sake alone, look not for bliss. It may come, but do not let that be your incentive. Have no motive except God. Dare to come to Truth even through hell.'