Latest news with #RamakrishnaCentre
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Swami urges youth to curb social media addiction using Vedantic teachings
Speaking at the 64th Children's Cultural Festival hosted on Sunday by the Ramakrishna Centre, Revered USA-based Swami Medhanandaji Maharaj delivered a powerful keynote address that resonated with both youth and adults, focusing on the growing issue of social media addiction. He highlighted the harmful effects of excessive screen time, particularly its impact on dopamine levels in the brain. Swami explained that constant exposure to instant gratification—offered by platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and other apps—was creating an epidemic of addiction among young people. Citing long-term scientific research, Swamiji pointed out that individuals who developed the ability to delay gratification were more likely to succeed and lead fulfilling lives. 'Dopamine addiction,' he warned, 'is as dangerous—if not more so—than cocaine and other banned substances.' Swami Medhanandaji also stressed that smartphones have become both the greatest tool and the worst enemy for today's youth, feeding the need for constant stimulation and instant reward. To address this growing crisis, he urged the use of Vedantic teachings as a framework to build discipline, reduce dependency on digital validation, and pursue a more meaningful and balanced life. Through mindfulness and self-awareness, Swami believes individuals can break free from this new-age addiction and cultivate healthier habits. What is Dopamine? (According to the Cleveland Clinic – What is dopamine? Dopamine is a type of monoamine neurotransmitter. It's made in your brain and acts as a chemical messenger, communicating messages between nerve cells in your brain and the rest of your body. Dopamine also acts as a hormone. Dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine are the main catecholamines (a label based on having part of the same molecular structure). These hormones are made by your adrenal gland, a small hat-shaped gland located on top of each of your kidneys. Dopamine is also a neurohormone released by the hypothalamus in your brain. What's the role of dopamine in my body? Dopamine plays a role in many body functions. As a neurotransmitter, dopamine is involved in: Movement. Memory. Pleasurable reward and motivation. Behavior and cognition. Attention. Sleep and arousal. Mood. Learning. Lactation. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Ramakrishna Centre hosts 64th annual Children's Cultural Festival in Dundee
The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa's Northern KwaZulu-Natal region will host its 64th annual Children's Cultural Festival at the Dundee Hindu Temple, Browning Street, on Sunday, August 3, starting at 9am. Children from across the region—including Ladysmith, Dundee, Estcourt, and Newcastle—will take part in the celebration. The programme will include devotional songs, speeches, cultural dances, and dramatic sketches, all presented by the youth. Revered Swami Medhanandaji Maharaj, a research fellow in philosophy in the United States, will deliver the keynote address. The President of the Ramakrishna Centre in South Africa, Swami Swatmaramanandaji Maharaj, will also grace the event. Lunch will be provided, and all members of the public are warmly invited to attend. The spirit of the festival echoes the powerful words of Swami Vivekananda: 'My faith is in the younger generation, the modern generation; out of them will come my workers. They will solve the whole problem like lions.' HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
IOL News
11-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Honouring Swami Nischalananda: A legacy of unity and spiritual awakening
Swami Nischalananda significantly influenced the Hindu community through his lasting message, which emphasised unity, knowledge, and selfless service. Image: Supplied The 100th birth anniversary and legacy of Swami Nischalananda, a spiritual pioneer and Vedantic visionary who founded the Ramakrishna Centre in Avoca in Durban, will be commemorated next Sunday. South Africans commemorate Swami Nischalananda this year while also acknowledging the lasting significance of his message: unity in diversity, strength through knowledge, and liberation through selfless service as evidenced in the multifarious activities in serving the poor, providing health care, education programmes and legal services are among the many other empowerment and spiritual activities it continues to this day. A spokesperson of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa said that as South Africa reflects on its spiritual heritage, Swami Nischalananda's birth anniversary (born Dhanagopal Naidoo in 1925 in Newcastle), offers an occasion to honour the remarkable journey of a visionary monk who ignited a spiritual renaissance among the Indian Hindu community during one of the most turbulent periods in the nation's history. 'Emerging from the ashes of colonial oppression and apartheid discrimination, Swami Nischalananda dedicated his life to the revival and propagation of Vedanta philosophy. Amidst widespread religious suppression, cultural fragmentation, and aggressive conversion efforts, he provided a beacon of unity, courage, and spiritual strength to Hindus across South Africa,' the spokesperson said. Dhanagopal exhibited rare spiritual sensitivity and resilience, embracing ascetic practices in secrecy from a young age while growing up in poverty. Driven by a deep desire for divine truth and inspired by Swami Vivekananda, he initiated a secret study circle that eventually became the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in 1946. Dhanagopal travelled to India in 1948, determined to wear the ochre robes of renunciation before returning to serve his people. Under the tutelage of Swami Purushottamananda at Vasishta Guha in Rishikesh, he underwent a significant spiritual transformation. This culminated in his monastic initiation, at which point he was given the name Swami Nischalananda. When he returned to South Africa in 1953, the spiritual revolution began. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He countered missionary pressures and instilled pride, unity, and self-confidence within the fragmented Hindu community through lectures, exhibitions, mass prayers, youth rallies, yoga camps, and social welfare initiatives. His inclusive approach broke racial, linguistic, and class barriers—welcoming all into the fold of spiritual upliftment. 'Swami Nischalananda taught us that religion is not mere ritual, but the pursuit of higher consciousness and service to humanity,' the spokesperson said. 'His life exemplified the ideals of renunciation, devotion, and fearless action.' 'Despite passing at the young age of 40, his legacy endures through the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, a vibrant institution that continues to promote spiritual education, youth development, and humanitarian outreach across the country. His foundational vision lives on in the lives he touched and the values he championed,' the spokesperson continued. South Africa's High Commissioner to India Professor Anil Sooklal will be among attendees at an event commemorating Swami Nischalananda on May 18. Other guests include Revered Monastics Pravrajika Ishtaprana Mataji, Spiritual Head of the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram and Revered Swami Swatmaramananda, President of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa.
