Being a Spiritual Seeker in a Material World
Monthly Meetings in 2025 with Ravi Ravindra
Each searcher periodically wonders why I have been created on this small planet earth in the vast universe and only for a few decades. What is my responsibility during my transient existence in the material world. All the sages call us to be free of our usual occupation with me-my-mine and to cultivate a quality of being that will relate us more and more with the mysterious Divine forces of Truth, Love, Consciousness, Delight and sense of Unity and Service.
Each of the sages, ancient ones as well as the modern ones, express their insights and instructions uniquely and emphasize some different aspects. Our wish and effort in the context of the Monthly Meetings is to explore how we can apply their teachings in our contemporary context and actually try to practice them in daily life. We will take some recommendations or instructions of the great classical spiritual teachers Krishna, Buddha, Christ and Patañjali. Also, we will take some suggestions from the modern teachers Jeanne de Salzmann and J. Krishnamurti.
There will be eleven Monthly Meetings which will be held on zoom during the last Sunday of the month, from January through November 2025. We will explore the following remarks of the sages:
January: “Everything in the universe is within you. Ask all from yourself.”
― Rumi
February: “Unless you leave yourself behind, you cannot be a follower of mine.”
--Christ in Matthew 16:24
March: "Submitting all your actions to me, struggle without agitation."
-Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita 3:30
April: "As long as I am, love is not."
--J. Krishnamurti
May: "Yoga is for cultivating samadhi and for weakening the hindrances."
--Patañjali in Yoga Sutras 2:2
June: “Ego is a good servant but a bad master.”
—Jeanne de Salzmann
July: “In this very body you can discover all the demons and all the gods.”
―The Buddha in Dhammapada
August: “Steadfast in yoga, the knower of truth realizes ‘Truly I do nothing at all.’”
--Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 5:8
September: "Your body is not only yours."
--Jeanne de Salzmann in HWM
October: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
--Christ in John 14:15
November: Summary of the Essential Insights
Recommended Readings:
The Yoga of the Christ by Ravi Ravindra [Also published as The Gospel of John in the Light of Indian Mysticism]
The Bhagavad Gita: A Guide to Navigating the Battle of Life by Ravi Ravindra [Shambhala Publications; also published by Jaico Press in India].
The Wisdom of Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras by Ravi Ravindra [Also published by the Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar].
The Dhammapada: Sayings of the Buddha [Any publication of this great text will do].
Heart Without Measure: Gurdjieff Work with Madame de Salzmann by Ravi Ravindra.
Krishnamurti: Two Birds on One Tree by Ravi Ravindra [Also published in India by Pilgrim Press]
Blessed by Mysterious Grace: The Journey of a Pilgrim by Ravi Ravindra.
Centered Self Without Being Self-Centered: Remembering Krishnamurti [Also published by the Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar].
Please contact https://www.journeyswith.in/ravi-mm-lp4
Practicing the Teachings of Great Sages
Ravi Ravindra
Tuesday – Friday March 11 – 14, March 18 – 21
Monday – Wednesday, March 24 – 26
10 – noon PT Zoom
Each searcher periodically wonders, “Why have I been created on this small planet earth in the vast universe and only for a few decades? What is my responsibility during my transient existence?” Much wise advice is brought by great sages. They all call us to be free of our usual occupation with me-my-mine and to cultivate a quality of being that will relate us more and more with the mysterious Divine forces of Truth, Love, Consciousness, Delight and a sense of Unity and Service.
Sages both ancient and modern, express their insights and instructions uniquely and emphasize different aspects. We will explore together how to apply their teachings in our contemporary environment and actually try to practice them in daily life. The course includes recommendations or instructions of the great spiritual teachers Krishna, Buddha, Christ and Patañjali, as well as the modern teachers G.I. Gurdjieff, Jeanne de Salzmann and J. Krishnamurti.
Single Session $15 Series $150
Ravi Ravindra, PhD is professor emeritus at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, where he taught in the departments of physics, philosophy and comparative religion. He has authored many papers in these fields and several books, including Pilgrim Soul; the Gospel of John in the Light of Indian Mysticism; Science and the Sacred; the Wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and The Bhagavad Gita: A Guide to Navigating the Battle of Life. Ravi travels and teaches internationally as well as online.
About Krotona School of Theosophy
Since 1967, the Krotona School has helped students deepen their understanding of the Ageless Wisdom. The School emphasizes education for spiritual renewal so students may orient themselves to eternal truths in a changing world. As an integral part of the Krotona Institute, the School supports the work of the Theosophical Society and its three objects that encourage: 1) the unity of all life; 2) A comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science; and 3) investigation of unexplained laws of Nature and the spiritual powers latent in humanity.
Krotona Institute of Theosophy, 46 Krotona St., Ojai CA 93023 • 805 646-1139 • schoolinfo@krotonainstitute.
Join one of the great scholar-sages of our time this April!
Join one of the great scholar-sages of our time this April!
Dear Friends,
This very special in-person retreat with Prof Ravi Ravindra on Spiritual Search: East and West will be held from 25 - 27 April at the De Vere Latimer Estate, Buckinghamshire (UK). Please watch the short video above to hear more!
This retreat is sure to be a fantastic opportunity to spend time with Ravi and like-minded souls. Space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Single occupancy rooms are £415 and double occupancy rooms are £365 per person. Please see booking page for further details and full programme.
Please note: This is a residential retreat.
Friday 25 - Sunday 27 April 2025
Spiritual Search: East and West
A weekend retreat with Ravi Ravindra
- Latimer Estate, Chesham -
With every good wish
,
David Lorimer,
Programme Director and Global Ambassador, Scientific and Medical Network
Editor, Paradigm Explorer
The Journey of a Pilgrim
Four Webinars by Ravi Ravindra
Theosophical Society in America
Saturdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. CT
June 7 – 28 (4 classes)
Throughout human history, a few serious searchers have been drawn to the journey of radical inner transformation. Some are motivated by a sense of wonder about their true nature: “Who am I?” Others experience fear: “When I die, is that the end?”
Each searcher is a pilgrim on a journey, and this journey consists of many stages. There is a shift from “I have a question” to “I am in question.” As pilgrims embark on serious self-inquiry, they must address common dangers. Along the way, the seeker is occasionally blessed by a strong vision of Mysterious Presence beyond description. The Mystery remains and the searcher no longer denies It; the Mystery nourishes pilgrims and encourages them to continue.
A seeker sooner or later realizes that the goal of the search – “Enlightenment,” for example – is constructed by the mind and driven by a wish for attainment. Interests shift from an imagined destination to the joy of the journey itself. Connecting with a group of fellow searchers is a rich part of that journey.
This course is intended to assist our individual searches in practical ways. We will look at the teachings of the great sages and then wrestle with them, exchanging our insights, doubts, and difficulties with our fellow pilgrims.
Course Topics
- The pilgrim’s questions and motivations
- Stages of the journey, the shifts that follow
- Pitfalls and blessings on the path
- Balancing spiritual and material energies
Suggested Preparation
Write briefly about your thoughts and feelings regarding these questions:
- What or who am I?
- Why have I been created?
- What can assist my search?
Recommended Reading
Books by Ravi Ravindra:
- Blessed by Mysterious Grace: The Journey of a Pilgrim
- The Yoga of the Christ
- The Bhagavad Gita: A Guide to Navigating the Battle of Life
- The Wisdom of Patañjali's Yoga Sutras
Registrants will receive on-demand access to recording(s) that can be viewed for two weeks following the conclusion of the program. Late registrants will receive recording links to all missed sessions.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-journey-of-a-pilgrim-tickets-1292868096279?aff=oddtdtcreator