Vedanta Society of Western Washington
Founded in 1938, the Vedanta Society of Western Washington is an accredited branch of the Ramakrishna Order established by Swami Vivekananda in India. This is the first Vedanta Center of the Ramakrishna Math (monastery) and Mission (as it is known in India) in Washington State. The teachings and the Order to which the Society belongs are inspired by the life of Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), who was the paragon of Vedanta. Swami Vivekananda speaks of his guru thus:
The Founding and Leadership
Swami Vividishananda
The founder of The Vedanta Society of Western Washington was Swami Vividishananda, who was a disciple of Swami Brahmananda. After working in several American cities, he came to Seattle in 1938 and founded The Ramakrishna Vedanta Center of Seattle. In 1979 this center changed its name to The Vedanta Society of Western Washington. The building at 2716 Broadway East, which the Society now occupies, was purchased in 1942.Swami Bhaskarananda
Swami Bhaskarananda who is now President Emeritus was sent by the Order to assist an aging Swami Vividishananda in 1974. Under Swami Bhaskarananda’s leadership the Society enjoyed considerable growth, including the purchase and development of a retreat property called Tapovan, and the purchase of Vivekananda House–which serves as the monastic residence–situated across the street from the present Vedanta Centre in SeattleSwami Satyamayananda
The current President and Minister-in-Charge is Swami Satyamayananda. He joined the Ramakrishna Order at Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, India, in 1988. An initiated disciple of Most Revered Swami Bhuteshananda (12th President of the Order), he served in various capacities at Advaita Ashrama. In 2008, he joined the Probationers’ Training Center, Belur Math, as an Acharya (teacher).
In 2010, the Swami was posted to Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, to serve as Editor of Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India, an English-language magazine of the Ramakrishna Order started by Swami Vivekananda in 1896.
In 2014, he was appointed as the Head of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Kanpur, India. He joined the Vedanta Society of Southern California as Assistant Minister in December of 2018. In 2022 he was assigned as Assistant Minister to the Vedanta Society of Western Washington, Seattle.
Character of the Vedanta Societies
There are about sixteen Vedanta Societies in the USA and Canada, nine Sub-centers, three Convents, and about six Retreat centers. Additionally, there are many ‘private centers’ in the USA and Canada. These Centers are guided by one or more Swamis of the Ramakrishna Order. Each official Center is an autonomous non-profit corporation, financially self-supporting, but spiritually affiliated to the Ramakrishna Order of India. The word ‘Swami’ means monk, and ‘Pravrajika’ means nun. These are monastics who have renounced family and possessions to devote their whole life to the realization of God and the service of humanity. It has been a tradition in India that religion and spirituality is most effectively taught by monks and nuns, who practice what they preach.
Aims of the Vedanta Societies
- To disseminate the philosophy of Vedanta through the spiritual practice and culture of reason, love, meditation, and selfless work, in addition to teaching Yoga ethics and psychology.
- To promote fellowship, harmony, and peace, by inculcating the fundamental unity of life, religions, the world, and God.
Points of Interest
- Activities: We offer a host of events on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. Learn more about each of the activities here. Then, stay on top of the events by checking our Calendar and signing up for the weekly email list.
- Bookstore: The Society’s bookstore is open before and after regularly scheduled classes and at other times by appointment.
- Library: The Society has a lending library for members and the interested. It contains a large and highly unique selection of books on various philosophies and religions. The library is open before and after lectures and classes; for other times, please call the Society. Additionally, please see our Suggested Reading List.
- Viveka Press and Global Vedanta Publications
- Viveka Press is the publishing arm of the Society. Among the publications offered by the press are: The Essentials of Hinduism; Meditation, Mind and Patanjali’s Yoga; Life in Indian Monasteries and other titles by Swami Bhaskarananda.
- Global Vedanta is an online journal also published by Viveka Press. The journal serves the worldwide Vedanta community with articles, book reviews, interviews, news, and humor on various aspects of Vedanta and the Vedanta movement.
- Retreat: The Society owns a beautiful 21-acre property called Tapovan in Snohomish County, 45 miles from Seattle. All are welcome and like with all Vedanta Society events, there is no charge.
- Daily Vespers (arati) are conducted at 6pm, which includes devotional singing, reading from spiritual texts, and discussion.
- Wednesday night classes.
- On the 2nd Saturday of each month, a daylong retreat program consisting of guided meditation and Yoga, Q & A, flower offerings, and a potluck luncheon is held.
- On the 4th Saturday of each month Karma Yoga is offered.
