Class Summary for April 19, 2020 - Chapter-12 Slokas 12

Summarized by : Prarthana Gururaj

We began with Swami Chinmayananda’s videos on shlokas 9-11. In these he divides Vasanas by percentage and prescribes the most practical path towards reaching God.
For those with about 20% Vasanas – Nirguna meditation should work
Those with 40% Vasanas - the mind is under some pressure as it attempts to find the steadiness it needs, use Abhyasa yoga (Saguna) where you maintain a strong desire to reach the Lord. So as the mind travels topic to topic, the intellect has to do a stronger job of policing the mind.
60% Vasanas – When the mind runs after sense pleasures, the intellect can police it back to focus but when the person himself runs after sense pleasures, consider this a gorge of Vasanas and the individual is perpetually in the field of OET. Here the individual remains in the world of objects but attempts to remain oriented to the Lord, by performing NISHKAAMA karma.
80% Vasanas – Do all your Sakama Karma while attempting to forget the fruits of the action.
The Goal is to reduce Vasanas to the point that the mind is able to remain in the task at hand and remain oriented to the Lord while doing them.

There was a discussion on being cautious to not make listening and reading about topics related to our spiritual growth a golden chain and therefore another Vasana. Vasanas can replace one another.
In Kali yuga, all the different paths to reaching God are needed in a combination.

Shloka 12: Divides Bhakti into 4 levels or kinds depending on the analysis
Abhyasa Yoga – meditation on God without full knowledge of God.
Jnanam – Thorough study of scriptures to obtain an understanding of Brahma but no meditation. Here Jnana becomes more of an ego boost for the ‘know it all’ personality
Dhyanam – Someone who has a combination of knowledge and meditation and resists the feeling of superiority but is unable to orient to the Lord during activities of daily living.
Karma Phala Tyaga – One who can dedicate all fruits of action to the Lord and take only the Prasadam.
Here the Prasadam tends to become peace of mind, equanimity and balance.

This does not mean that we should not respond to the Prasada and we must take the necessary steps or further actions needed based on what the Prasada is. However our ‘FIR’ response is within our control and we can proceed with the next task.

Class Summary for April 05, 2020 - Chapter-12 Slokas 9-11

Summarized by : Sree Sekhar Palaparthy

 

We started the class with opening prayers, pranayam and meditation.

COVID-19 video
We first watched a Covid-19 video by Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, where the message was
how this crisis is Mother Nature's way of ensuring, we begin to lead lives of greater substance
and offers guidance on radiating goodwill to the world through prayer, positivity and inspired
service.

Un-conscious Bias:
The class discussed about the "Un-conscious bias" training videos, where couple of key points
were called out: Firstly, to appreciate the fact that we all have "un-conscious bias"(pre-
programmed routines) within us, which drives us to make certain decisions based on situations.
Secondly this training materials helps providing few ways of managing these biases, better.
With reference to this, "Atomic Habits" book by James Clair was suggested to practice breaking
bad habits and cultivating good habits. Another book named "Power of Habits" was also
recommended in the same context
These training videos provide scientific way of managing these "un-conscious bias" and our
scriptures also provide "Saadhana" as a common tool to better handle these biases. We have
an opportunity to take best of these both worlds.
The un-conscious bias could be potentially understood as an effect of previous vasanas and the
vasanas that are being cultivated in current birth.

Chapter#12; Slokas #9, 10, 11
In earlier classes we have seen 2 levels/options of Upasanas (in order starting from highest
level)
1) Nirguna upasana: This is to meditate upon brahman which is formless; For doing this
upasana, one has to prepare himself and attain certain qualities (for instance Dispassion /
Desirelessness / Discipline and Detachment - 4Ds)

2) Saguna upasana: Meditating upon Vishwaroopa (multiple) form or any object in the nature
(for instance a tree/sun/ocean).
In sloka 9, Lord SriKrishna is providing more options for meditation

3) Abhyaasa Yoga: Meditating upon Single form/symbol and keep practicing it. This could be a
"Ishta devata" OR Kula devata. One shouldn't forget the fact that the single form is a
representation of the formless Brahman, as that would lead into confusion around beliefs and
faith. For instance , we salute the flag of our country to show our respect/patriotism. The fact is
that, flag is the representation of the country itself. This same analogy can be used to remind
ourselves that the "single form" represents the single truth i.e Brahman

4) Nishkaama Karma: Performing actions without expectation /without materialistic gains.
Selfless action. The perfect example we can refer to is a tree. Despite of our behavior towards a
tree, it always provides shade, fruits/flowers/ branches and so on.
If meditation is not possible, then perform Nishkaama karma.

5) Sakaama Karma: Selfish action, but as an offering to the God. If Nishkaama karma is not
possible , then perform Sakaama karma. Any action should be done with an intent of accepting
the outcome of it with prasada Buddhi. Options 4 and 5 are essentially the summary of "Karma
Yoga" (Chapter# 3).

Most of us can relate and put an effort to practice Level 5 and Level 4 to move to the other
higher levels. Selfish actions which we do, if done with prasada buddhi it would lead to
Nishkaama karma. In Kaliyuga, we need to practice either a combination of all these options or
a subset of these options (barring exceptions), to ascend in our spiritual journeys. Cleanse your
mind to make it ready before doing the meditation.

An example of inspection department providing a certificate for cleaning of ashram premises
was discussed to explain how Nishkaama karma and Sakaama karma are inter-twined. Sakaama
karma approach would be to clean the premises to get the certificate, whereas Nishkaama
karma approach would be to change the goal to keep the premises clean, and leave the
expectation around the certificate.

The common theme in all the 5 options above is "Ishwara". The connection between "Ishwara"
and "Jeeva" (ishwara Sambhanda should be appreciated). Three use cases of this "Ishwara
Sambhanda" are 1) Jeeva and Paramathma are the same 2) Jeeva is an extension of "Ishwara"
and 3) Jeeva is the "body" and bhakta of "Paramathma"
We will continue with verse 12, followed by values......

Class Summary for Mar 29, 2020 - Chapter-12 Slokas 6-8

Summarized by : Neelima Turaga 

We started the class with opening prayers, pranayam and meditation. 

During this ongoing crisis of the Covid 19, it is very easy for us to get overwhelmed and anxious. We briefly discussed ways to keep ourselves calm and peaceful as much as possible.  It is very important to keep up our everyday Sadhana, and if possible enhance it further. It also helps to see and appreciate even small things in our day to day life and being grateful for all that we have. We should try to see the goodness in people, no matter the situation or the equation we have with them. Seeing the goodness in everyone and everything is easier said than done. However, it can be started slow, and with conscious effort and practice, this can be achieved. It again depends on the sadhana package we are  following. Sadhana helps develop vairagya or detachment. We then reach a point when we are able to reset our perceptions about the people we are interacting with. We need to do this reset everyday !

We discussed some examples for this. One was about a small businessman in India, who purchased books, shirts etc from Chinmaya ashram very frequently. He ran a business with all handicapped staff. Curious as to why he bought so many things so often, someone asked him. His answer was that he bought them to gift them to certain people who he had business interactions with and who expected bribes from him. Gifting these items was his way to touch the good side of them and influence them in a positive way, which might reduce their desire to take the bribes in future. He chose to see the goodness in people. 

Another example was the story in which Lord Krishna was asked to manage the footwear of people. He did even that job with utmost love and commitment. It shows that whatever be the work, whoever be the persons we are interacting with, we can give our best and also see goodness or Brahman in everyone. 

We watched Gurudev's videos for Shlokas 6, 7 and 8. A brief summary is as follows :

There are two pre requisites for successful spiritual seeking. Firstly, all the actions should be surrendered to the Lord, for He is the highest goal to be reached. Every action should be guided by the aspiration to achieve the goal. The mind cannot be allowed to dissipate into other things that can deviate us from the goal.

Secondly, for sometime everyday, bring all mental attention to the Lord EXCLUSIVELY.

A person can choose either a path of devotion or a path of contemplation. When all actions, physical, mental or intellectual are oriented in the Lord, all the emotions and thoughts become one with him. With steady contemplation, the vasanas are exhausted. As the vasanas are getting exhausted, the mind and and intellect become more steady. Steadier the mind, greater the contemplation. Greater contempletion in turn reduces the vasanas. After these cycles of vasana exhaustion, a time will come when one is uplifted from the shore less ocean of death and plurality. How long this takes, depends on the amount of vasanas each person has.

Class Summary for Mar 22, 2020 - Chapter-12 Slokas 6-8

Summarized by :  Sridhar.V

The class started off with our Omkar routine followed up by Pranayama and prayers.

We did a recap from our last class 03.08.2020 where in verses 1-5 from Chapter 12 were discussed.

In the recap we discussed using various examples of the meaning of “ABSTRACT” and in particular the one of Prism and Light where in both the singularity and plurality exists.

As the white light passes through a prism, it is bent or refracted by the angles of the prism and each wavelength of light is refracted by a slightly different amount of color . As a result, all of the colors in the white light of the sun separate into the individual bands of color characteristic of a rainbow.

We also discussed upon the following in terms of the meaning rendered from verses 1 -5.

1.Saguna includes single form or multiple form.

2,Nirguna is formless – beyond sense or attributes.

3.Saguna Bhakti is the way to Nirguna Bhakti and for Nirguna Bhakti we need the achieve the 4 D’s.

4. Dispassion / Desirelessness / Discipline  and Detachment.

5. The qualifications of the above are : Senses focused inward,equanimity and commitment to welfare of all living beings and universal love..

6. To perform all transactions with love.

7.Transact in duality and maintain/recognize singularity.

Excerpts of verses 6,7 and 8:

Translation of verses 6 & 7 :

But those who dedicate all their actions to Me, regarding Me as the Supreme goal, worshiping Me and meditating on Me with exclusive devotion, O Parth, I swiftly deliver them from the ocean of birth and death, for their consciousness is united with Me.

Commentary/Meaning :

Shree Krishna reiterates that His devotees reach Him quickly.  Firstly, with the personal form of God as the object of their devotion, they easily focus their mind and senses upon Him. In this way, they quickly unite their consciousness with God.

Secondly, since such devotees continuously offer their hearts in interrupted bhakti, God quickly bestows His grace upon them and removes the obstacles on their path

In this way, God Himself becomes the Savior of His devotees and frees them from the cycle of life and death.

Translation of verse no 8:

 Fix your mind on Me alone and surrender your intellect to Me. There upon, you will always live in Me. Of this, there is no doubt

Commentary / Meaning :

Having explained that worship of the personal form is better, Shree Krishna now begins to explain how to worship Him.  He asks Arjun to do two things—fix the mind on God and also surrender the intellect to Him.  The function of the mind is to create desires, attractions, and aversions.

Mere physical devotion is not sufficient; we must absorb the mind in thinking of God.

For eg : we hear a sermon with our ears, but if the mind wanders off, we will not know what was said.  The words will fall on the ears but they will not register.  This shows that without engaging the mind the work of the senses does not count. 

 On the other hand, the mind is such an instrument that in it all the senses reside in the subtle form.  Thus, even without the actual sensory activity the mind experiences the perceptions of sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound

Another example that we can cite is : We visit a doctor when we are sick.  We have no knowledge of medical science ourselves, and so we follow the advice of a qualified medical doctor.  The doctor checks our symptoms, looks at our medical reports, makes a diagnosis, and then prescribes the medicines.  

Similarly our intellect is habituated to defective thinking from the collections of innumerable previous lifetimes.  If we run our lives in accordance with the directions of our intellect, we will definitely not make much progress on the divine path. 

Thus, if we wish to achieve spiritual success by attaching the mind to God, we must surrender our intellect to Him and follow His directions.

Theme of verses 6,7 & 8 :

If formless meditation is not possible then meditate on the creation or multiple forms(Vishwaroopam).

Love all of his creations.

Have an empathetic attitude towards life.

Transact in this world with all actions dedicated to the SUPREME LORD  and he /she is always with YOU.

We will continue with verses 9,10,11 and 12 in our next class. 

Class Summary for Mar 08, 2020 - Chapter-12 Slokas 1-5

Summarized by :  Prarthana Gururaj

During the class we reviewed our discussions on verses 1-5. We watched Gurudev’s videos of the
shlokas.

1. The path to bhakti begins with taking the mind towards God and surrendering the mind to God.
2. There is a difference between faith and belief. Belief is lost in the face of adversity. Faith is
immovable despite adversity
3. A firm faith of the understanding that the world is a manifestation of the unmanifest God is
important. An example / comparative was that our dreams are a manifestation rising from the
body of our knowledge
4. The path of faith or devotion can be pursued in two ways – focusing on the manifested God in
his various forms like Krishna, Shiva etc( Saguna) or focusing on the unmanifest God (Nirguna)
5. The path of devotion to Nirguna Brahma is considered the most difficult.
6. The understanding of the concept of Nirguna Brahma can be pursued by using the pointers that
indicate the qualities of the unmanifested God. However caution should be taken to ensure that
the indicators are not considered the description of the unmanifest. Some of the indicators are
that the Lord are
- imperishable, indefinable, omnipresent, unthinkable, unchangeable, eternal, immovable
7. Gurudev’s summary

- At the physical level - understand that the world is a physical manifestation of the
Lord and serve mankind with devotion.
- At the mental level – surrender the mind and bring the mind towards the Lord
- At the intellectual level – attempt to understand the Lord through the information
in the scriptures.