Interesting videos about East (one Indian spiritual tradition - Radhanath Swami) meeting West (one USA Christian tradition - Cornell West) organized by Princeton University group in April 2011
The Indian tradition talked about is mainly the ISKCON Bhakti tradition which is expounded by Radhanath Swami. The Christian tradition is talked about by Dr. Cornell West.
I have given the links to the two videos first, followed by introductory info. about the two main speakers.
1) Radhanath Swami and Dr. Cornel West - 1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv0RFMQgh10, around 50 mins. To skip the introduction start from 17:30.
An extract from the description of the video: "Princeton scholar Dr. Cornel West and Radhanath Swami, a spiritual teacher, activist and author, in a discussion titled "East Meets West: A Dialogue Between Cornel West and Radhanath Swami". Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall."
2) Radhanath Swami and Dr. Cornel West - 2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzbXwtr3Cg8, around 55 mins
Ravi: I saw both the videos in full and recommend it for full viewing to those interested in such topics, who can make the time for it.
Here is an extract from a Sept. 2015 blog post of mine related to Radhanath Swami: Fond memories of ISKCON, Juhu, Mumbai; Great Bhajan by Loknath Swami; ISKCON, Chowpatty, Mumbai; Radhanath Swami, https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2015/09/fond-memories-of-iskcon-juhu-mumbai.html
A good friend and younger colleague of mine (Sri Sandeep Kamat), in a software company in Mumbai named Mastek, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastek, that I got associated with later on as a consultant, in the 90s and early 2000s, was an ardent follower of ISKCON. He took me to his main ISKCON temple in Girgaon, Chowpatty (walking distance from Grant Road Railway station, if I recall correctly), Mumbai, http://radhagopinath.com. I clearly recall me enjoying and admiring the holy atmosphere as well as the intricate beauty of the main temple there (the website shows a pic of it, which revived that memory). He was associated as a lay (family man) follower with a spiritual leader there, whom he greatly admired and revered. If I recall correctly (actually I am quite sure), he was referring to the main spiritual leader of the temple, Sri Radhanath Swami, http://radhagopinath.com/new/temple/leadership/, who is an American from Chicago who became an ISKCON sannyasin. An extract from the earlier link:
Radhanath Swami is a Vaishnava sanyassin (a monk in a Krishna-bhakti lineage) and teacher of the devotional path of Bhakti-yoga. He is author of The Journey Home, a memoir of his search for spiritual truth. His teachings draw from the sacred texts of India such as The Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Ramayana, and aim to reveal the practical application of the sacred traditions, while focusing on the shared essence which unites apparently disparate religious or spiritual paths.
Born Richard Slavin, on December 7, 1950, in his teens he came to confront a deep sense of alienation from suburban Chicago life and the civil injustices of mid-century America. At the age of nineteen, while on a summer trip to Europe, his internal struggles culminated in a commitment to search for God wherever it might lead him. Meditating on the Isle of Crete, he felt a supernatural calling and the next morning set off alone to find spiritual India. The Journey Home documents his odyssey as a penniless hitch-hiker though Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally India. There he lived as a wandering ascetic, first amongst the forest dwelling Himalayan yogis and later amongst a wide variety of gurus and spiritual practitioners throughout India and Nepal. Ultimately, he was led to the holy town of Vrindavan, where he found his path amongst the Bhakti-yogis.
In Vrindavan he found the teacher he was searching for in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and representative of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, (the Krishna-bhakti tradition stemming from the 16th century mystic avatar Sri Chaitanya). In choosing Bhaktivedanta Swami, as his guru, Radhanath Swami felt compelled to shear his matted locks and reenter Western society with a mission to share the sacred wisdom he had received. This return exemplifies the form of devotional yoga which is at the heart of Radhanath Swami’s teachings, a spiritual practice expressed as tangible action meant to bring about personal fulfillment and benefit the world.
At the the age of 31 he took the monastic vows of a Vaishnava sanyassin and became known as Radhanath Swami.
--- end extract from http://radhagopinath.com/new/temple/leadership/ ---
I did not have the privilege and pleasure of meeting Sri Radhanath Swami. I think he may not have been free (or in town) at the time my friend took me to his temple.
[I thank radhagopinath.com and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extracts from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
--- end extract from my blog post ----
Given below is an extract from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornel_West :
Cornel Ronald West (born June 2, 1953) is an American philosopher, political activist, social critic, author, and public intellectual. The son of a Baptist minister, West focuses on the role of race, gender, and class in American society and the means by which people act and react to their "radical conditionedness." Styling himself as a radical democrat socialist, West draws intellectual contributions from multiple traditions, including Christianity, the black church, Marxism, neopragmatism, and transcendentalism. Among his most influential books are Race Matters (1994) and Democracy Matters (2004).
West is an outspoken voice in American leftist politics, and as such has been critical of members of the Democratic Party, including former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He has held professorships at Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Pepperdine University, Union Theological Seminary, and the University of Paris during his career. He is also a frequent commentator on politics and social issues in many media outlets.
From 2010 through 2013, West co-hosted a radio program with Tavis Smiley, called Smiley and West. He has also been featured in several documentaries, and made appearances in Hollywood films such as The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, providing commentary for both films. West has also made several spoken word and hip hop albums, and due to his work, has been named MTV's Artist of the Week. He has also been portrayed on Saturday Night Live by Kenan Thompson.
--- end extract from wiki ---
[I thank wikipedia and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
I have given the links to the two videos first, followed by introductory info. about the two main speakers.
1) Radhanath Swami and Dr. Cornel West - 1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv0RFMQgh10, around 50 mins. To skip the introduction start from 17:30.
An extract from the description of the video: "Princeton scholar Dr. Cornel West and Radhanath Swami, a spiritual teacher, activist and author, in a discussion titled "East Meets West: A Dialogue Between Cornel West and Radhanath Swami". Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall."
2) Radhanath Swami and Dr. Cornel West - 2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzbXwtr3Cg8, around 55 mins
Ravi: I saw both the videos in full and recommend it for full viewing to those interested in such topics, who can make the time for it.
Here is an extract from a Sept. 2015 blog post of mine related to Radhanath Swami: Fond memories of ISKCON, Juhu, Mumbai; Great Bhajan by Loknath Swami; ISKCON, Chowpatty, Mumbai; Radhanath Swami, https://ravisiyer.blogspot.com/2015/09/fond-memories-of-iskcon-juhu-mumbai.html
A good friend and younger colleague of mine (Sri Sandeep Kamat), in a software company in Mumbai named Mastek, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastek, that I got associated with later on as a consultant, in the 90s and early 2000s, was an ardent follower of ISKCON. He took me to his main ISKCON temple in Girgaon, Chowpatty (walking distance from Grant Road Railway station, if I recall correctly), Mumbai, http://radhagopinath.com. I clearly recall me enjoying and admiring the holy atmosphere as well as the intricate beauty of the main temple there (the website shows a pic of it, which revived that memory). He was associated as a lay (family man) follower with a spiritual leader there, whom he greatly admired and revered. If I recall correctly (actually I am quite sure), he was referring to the main spiritual leader of the temple, Sri Radhanath Swami, http://radhagopinath.com/new/temple/leadership/, who is an American from Chicago who became an ISKCON sannyasin. An extract from the earlier link:
Radhanath Swami is a Vaishnava sanyassin (a monk in a Krishna-bhakti lineage) and teacher of the devotional path of Bhakti-yoga. He is author of The Journey Home, a memoir of his search for spiritual truth. His teachings draw from the sacred texts of India such as The Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Ramayana, and aim to reveal the practical application of the sacred traditions, while focusing on the shared essence which unites apparently disparate religious or spiritual paths.
Born Richard Slavin, on December 7, 1950, in his teens he came to confront a deep sense of alienation from suburban Chicago life and the civil injustices of mid-century America. At the age of nineteen, while on a summer trip to Europe, his internal struggles culminated in a commitment to search for God wherever it might lead him. Meditating on the Isle of Crete, he felt a supernatural calling and the next morning set off alone to find spiritual India. The Journey Home documents his odyssey as a penniless hitch-hiker though Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally India. There he lived as a wandering ascetic, first amongst the forest dwelling Himalayan yogis and later amongst a wide variety of gurus and spiritual practitioners throughout India and Nepal. Ultimately, he was led to the holy town of Vrindavan, where he found his path amongst the Bhakti-yogis.
In Vrindavan he found the teacher he was searching for in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and representative of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, (the Krishna-bhakti tradition stemming from the 16th century mystic avatar Sri Chaitanya). In choosing Bhaktivedanta Swami, as his guru, Radhanath Swami felt compelled to shear his matted locks and reenter Western society with a mission to share the sacred wisdom he had received. This return exemplifies the form of devotional yoga which is at the heart of Radhanath Swami’s teachings, a spiritual practice expressed as tangible action meant to bring about personal fulfillment and benefit the world.
At the the age of 31 he took the monastic vows of a Vaishnava sanyassin and became known as Radhanath Swami.
--- end extract from http://radhagopinath.com/new/temple/leadership/ ---
I did not have the privilege and pleasure of meeting Sri Radhanath Swami. I think he may not have been free (or in town) at the time my friend took me to his temple.
[I thank radhagopinath.com and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extracts from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
--- end extract from my blog post ----
Given below is an extract from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornel_West :
Cornel Ronald West (born June 2, 1953) is an American philosopher, political activist, social critic, author, and public intellectual. The son of a Baptist minister, West focuses on the role of race, gender, and class in American society and the means by which people act and react to their "radical conditionedness." Styling himself as a radical democrat socialist, West draws intellectual contributions from multiple traditions, including Christianity, the black church, Marxism, neopragmatism, and transcendentalism. Among his most influential books are Race Matters (1994) and Democracy Matters (2004).
West is an outspoken voice in American leftist politics, and as such has been critical of members of the Democratic Party, including former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He has held professorships at Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Pepperdine University, Union Theological Seminary, and the University of Paris during his career. He is also a frequent commentator on politics and social issues in many media outlets.
From 2010 through 2013, West co-hosted a radio program with Tavis Smiley, called Smiley and West. He has also been featured in several documentaries, and made appearances in Hollywood films such as The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, providing commentary for both films. West has also made several spoken word and hip hop albums, and due to his work, has been named MTV's Artist of the Week. He has also been portrayed on Saturday Night Live by Kenan Thompson.
--- end extract from wiki ---
[I thank wikipedia and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above extract from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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