Tattva-viveka
Swami's Books
Atmananda Dasa - October 6, 2008 9:46 pm
Who wants to study Swami's book?
What book do you want to study?
Margaret Dale - October 7, 2008 6:10 am
Siksastikam!!!!!!!!
Swami - October 7, 2008 11:24 am
Siksastikam!!!!!!!!
There is a lot in tihs little book and perhaps it's a good one to start with. It's small enough that one could practically commit it to memory.
Atmananda,
What is you idea for going through it or any other book here on tattva-viveka? Without knowing that, my sense is nontheless that everyone should take part.
Citta Hari Dasa - October 7, 2008 6:16 pm
There is a lot in tihs little book and perhaps it's a good one to start with. It's small enough that one could practically commit it to memory.
Atmananda,
What is you idea for going through it or any other book here on tattva-viveka? Without knowing that, my sense is nontheless that everyone should take part.
I think this is a great book to start with--the entire philosophy in a nutshell, with lots of extras in the commentary.
Atmananda Dasa - October 7, 2008 6:35 pm
There is a lot in tihs little book and perhaps it's a good one to start with. It's small enough that one could practically commit it to memory.
Atmananda,
What is you idea for going through it or any other book here on tattva-viveka? Without knowing that, my sense is nontheless that everyone should take part.
I am inspired to study your books because to me they are the most contemporary and accessible books in the Gaudiya Vaisnava community. Beyond this, to study a book and have personal access to the author is a golden oportunity. I wrote to Babrhu Prabhu and asked him what he thought. He suggested that I bring up the idea here.
Here are some general ideas about how the study of your books might be most fruitful:
1.Disciplined discussion: I would hope that the study of a book in the classroom section could be focused on philosophical understanding and that any diversions (emotional, psychological, etc.) that may come up could be explored in a different section of the forum i.e. outside the classroom. Beyond this, if the participants could provide some kind of rerference for there statements whenever possible or ask for the reference if they can't find it. That might also be helpful.
2. Organized threads: In order for the study to be better organized and easily acessible in the future, it might be helpful if the moderator of the discussion create a new thread for each chapter or section of a chapter. This way, if we want to find something later, it will be easier. Also, it may be helpful if the discussion were to focus on one question at a time and that the participants wait until one discussion is finished before initiating a new one.
3. It may be helpful if the participants fully read the chapter that is being discussed before making posts.
These are a few ideas. Unfortunatley, I am not able to commit the time to be a moderator, but I would love to be a participant. Right now I'm reading Tatta-Sandarbha, but I'm willing to start with any book. I've never read your Siksastakam.
Nitaisundara Das - October 7, 2008 8:50 pm
I think we should implement some of your tenets on all the threads!!
it can get pretty wild here sometimes 
This discussion idea sounds great, and having an established structure sounds essential to maintaining focus, I hope someone does have time and skill to moderate it all.
Babhru Das - October 7, 2008 8:57 pm
These are all certainly good guidelines, reasonable expectations. I like the way you build to the last item. It's imperative that everyone who participates (and I echo Swami's call for full participation) carefully read whatever chapter, or section of a chapter, we discuss.
I've never read your Siksastakam.
That seems as good a reason as any to start with Siksastakam!
Sridama Dasa - October 7, 2008 9:52 pm
That seems as good a reason as any to start with Siksastakam!
If I can get in line while we're at it -- I’d humbly request to tackle Bhagavad Gita after the Siksastakam commentary. I’m re-reading it now for the first time in a while, and some discussion and guidance from the devotees here would be very helpful. I’m such a slow reader that I’ll probably still be working on it by the time Siksastakam is finished!
Babhru Das - October 10, 2008 12:46 am
Since no one has stepped up, since I sort of got the Classroom going, and since I need some service, I'll volunteer to facilitate discussion if there isn't anyone else who wants to get this going. Moderation sounds a little heavy handed, I'd prefer facilitation (hoping that doesn't sound too milquetoast).
So are we starting with Siksastakam? What's next?
Swami - October 11, 2008 2:14 am
Since no one has stepped up, since I sort of got the Classroom going, and since I need some service, I'll volunteer to facilitate discussion if there isn't anyone else who wants to get this going. Moderation sounds a little heavy handed, I'd prefer facilitation (hoping that doesn't sound too milquetoast).
So are we starting with Siksastakam? What's next?
I have asked the monastics here at Audaya to take part. They will reread the first chapter before entering the discussion. Other should do so as well. Then we can begin. Let's start the discussion in one week to give others time to read and prepare.
Babhru Das - October 11, 2008 11:31 am
I'll start a new thread on Friday. I'd suggest that those who wish to participate make notes as they reread, so we can start with questions, comments, insights, etc.
Premanandini - October 11, 2008 8:15 pm
I'll start a new thread on Friday. I'd suggest that those who wish to participate make notes as they reread, so we can start with questions, comments, insights, etc.
I don t have Swamis Siksasthakam - any chance that someone uploads it please!!! 
Swami - October 12, 2008 1:00 am
I don t have Swamis Siksasthakam - any chance that someone uploads it please!!!
I am sure you can purchase it online from a European seller. Orders have come through our online store since this topic has begun.
I started reading the book this evening, from the dedication onward. It's humbling, and to see that I have grown from there more so. Such is the nature of mercy. At any rate, I look forward to the discussion, as I am sure I will learn something from it—bhodayantas parasparam tusyanti ca ramanti ca.
Syamasundara - October 12, 2008 1:13 am
Jaya Gurudeva!!
We're in such good hands. Myself I'll take advantage to read both the original and Italian version, to see if it's really as good as I remember since 2006, and hoping I'll get enough inspiration to do the glossary and complete the translation.
Babhru Das - October 12, 2008 1:16 am
I hope we can get many members involved, and that they'll all read the chapters under discussion beforehand. As Swami says, "tusyanti ca ramanti ca." This is what it's about. We'll have fun, and we'll all find ourselves progressively moved to share our realizations with those around us. This will be good. Y'all come, now--hear? And please bring your books to class.
Sridama Dasa - October 13, 2008 4:37 am
I hope we can get many members involved, and that they'll all read the chapters under discussion beforehand. As Swami says, "tusyanti ca ramanti ca." This is what it's about. We'll have fun, and we'll all find ourselves progressively moved to share our realizations with those around us. This will be good. Y'all come, now--hear? And please bring your books to class.
I'm excited for this. I haven't participated a lot on Tattva Viveka in the past but this is a great opportunity to learn from one another. Looking forward to Friday!
Braja-sundari Dasi - October 13, 2008 4:48 pm
Siksastakam is great! It will be much more effective for me to study it with other devotees.
Recently one devotee asked me to send him a copy of Siksastakam. I had only my own book therefore I decided to make a photocopy for myself. An old woman, the owner of xerox took the book in her hands and became mesmerized. She exclaimed something that can be translated as "how shining! how beautiful!". She was petting cover for a while and looked at the picture of Lord Caitanya with her eyes opened wide. Then she opened the book and touched the pages with great admiration. It seemed she knew some English because she started to read information about Guru Maharaj or at least it looked like that. Looking at the book took her quite a while and then she came back to the reality and told me to come back in an hour. I wonder if she made a copy for herself...