Class Summary for Dec 9, 2018 - Chapter-2: 51 - 53

Summarized by :  Neelima Turaga

The class started with Om chanting, Pranayam and opening prayers. There was a recap of the shlokas 47-50. There were many views and questions about the practical applicability of Karma yoga in daily life. The concepts of not being attached to the result, and work itself being the reward, were discussed at length with many examples.

Mani Sir told us about the book, Scripture - A mirror,  about the importance of Study groups and the experiences of individuals who attended various study groups at Chinmaya. As it was relevant to the topic, we briefly discussed an individual’s experience with reference  to practice of Karma yoga. He was constantly overlooked, had a low self esteem, and felt he did not get due recognition at work. He talks about how his life changed for the better, and how he grew in his career and became a much happier person, by imbibing and following the principles of Karma yoga. There were several other work place related examples, and there was a reference to how many large Corporates in the Western world are now adopting the Bhagavad Gita.

Some of the Key points discussed were :

"Be committed to the process without being emotionally attached to the results."

“Detachment is an art of enjoying something while always being open to the possibility of losing   it someday.”

Karma Yoga is a combination of Proper action and a proper attitude.

It has been scientifically proven that an action performed without being attached to the outcome, results in higher gamma waves and thereby the right energy levels.

We chanted Shlokas 51-53, and briefly discussed the meaning.

51 - The wise, possessed of knowledge, having abandoned the fruits of their actions, freed from the fetters of birth go to the state which is beyond all evil.

52- When your intellect crosses beyond the mire of delusion then you shall attain to indifference as to what has been heard and what is yet to be heard.

53-when your intellect, though perplexed by what you have heard, shall stand immovable and steady in the self,  then you shall attain self realization.

Actions performed without attachment to the results, frees one from the cycle of life and death resulting in moksha.

Steadfast focus on true freedom is required to overcome the attraction to fruitful actions.

Karmayoga Exercise for next class

The class was divided into two groups and were given assignments to talk about, in the class next week.

1.      Name one person whom you consider to be practicing Karma Yoga

2.      Explain one incident /situation where as an employee you practiced /could have practiced Karma Yoga      or

Explain one incident /situation where as a parent you practiced /could have practiced Karma Yoga 

Class Summary for Nov 18, 2018 - Chapter-2: 47 to 50

Summarized by :  Bala Dhandapani

After meditation, recap of Verse 47 and Swamiji’s explanation (from 11/11 Pravachan) was discussed

(Swamiji’s explanation was – One needs to be satisfied by the action – enjoy the work)

Some of points discussed were

-do your best and leave the rest
-example of seeds grown in different pots, even though the care and maintenance to germinate the seeds might be the same – the outcome/results may be different.  Things are beyond ones control and one need to understand and accept this.
- Spirituality  increases when one embraces the thought from  “What” to “So What”

Slokas 47, 48, 49 and 50

Theme

-Karma yoga starts here

-The result of any action does not depend ONLY on your effort


-Not be attached to Outcome (NATO) and have a Prasada Buddhi.  The result of any action does not depend ONLY on your effort, but on various additional factors outside of your control such as Prarabdha, Nature, Will of God, collective action of others-situation and circumstances “the X Factor”

            -Karma Yoga -> Proper Action and ->Proper Attitude

            -To give up the sense of doer ship         
            - attaching to a higher ideal is the key
             - with doer ship comes attachment, with attachment comes Vasanas and it becomes a cycle.

             -Inaction is also not an option

Discussion on Wastage of Energy (from Self Unfoldment)

             -worrying about the Past on what happened

             -worrying about the Present – being over enthusiastic

             -worrying about the Future on what may happen

Subjective Analysis

 -Gamma waves are generated by the brain at your peak performance (right amount of emotion + action).  From a sports perspective one would refer to this as “Be in the Zone”

-Maintain your mental state, and for best results, be at the Optimal State.

Class viewed Gurudev’s Video on Chapter Verse 48

-Once you have started your action do not be attached to siddhi or asiddhi

-Example of Ganges flow- there are obstacles, be like Mother Ganges, expect obstacles, but it should not upset one.

Video Chapter 2, Verse 49

-Work is inspired work, worker does not understand tiredness.

-reaching the destination is not the Goal, never should you reach the Goal – set it higher – striving to reach the ideal should be the Goal

After the videos, in a corporate setting a CEO vision was discussed – Employee is motivated to get to the vision but not to become the CEO- hence- Attach to a HIGHER IDEAL.

Class Summary for Nov 4, 2018 - Chapter-2: 44 to 45

Summarized by :  Shivkumar Natarajan

We started with a summary of last weeks discussion and then proceeded with Verses 44-46

Verse 44

Karma Vs Karmakanda:

In Karma the seeker entertains a single focused idea and strives hard in its pursuit

Karmakanda advices various ritualistic performances for fulfillment of various desires as instructed in the Vedas

Krishna is asking that we do not mistake the means to for the end.

The Karmakanda is to prepare the person to have a single pointedness when it is pursued without specific desires.

Only a prepared  focused mind is fit for steady contemplation of Vedanta.

If not such people cannot attain the path of Samadhi

Verse 45

We then watched chap 2 verse 45 of Swami Chinmayananda's video on this verse.

Everyone in the world have 2 urges that goads them into activity namely yoga and Kshema

Acquiring under expectation/belief/superstition that when I acquire things that I don’t have currently  I will be happy

Kshema : Maintenance of things I acquire

To renounce these 2 main fields that yields extreme restlessness and sorrow in life

The Lord asks Arjuna to rise above the 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) so as to free oneself from pair of opposites.

When one is attached/focused in materialistic desires then he/she finds himself in a web.

This web includes satvvic/rajasic and tamasic desires/attractions. One has to surpass beyond it to be able to attain the real.

By acquiring the ultimate, you will automatically will get everything that is real.

If one has  an Uninterrupted pleasure supply (UPS) within you then you did not  search for it outside

e.g Running marathon for the snacks

The class then discussed need for Pravachan: If independently achieved and person is happy then no classes required

We discussed how to rise above Gunas

Sattva : We need to take dirt off and clean the mirror to see a clear reflection

Rajas: We need to clear the smoke to see

Tamas: If we are in womb then we need to come out of it to see it

You cannot get something infinite (Happiness) from  something temporary (e.g. acquiring a house). How can one  get happiness from something fleeting ?

We discussed Example of Nisarg Baba who continues with running a paan beedi shop. This demonstrates that a rich/poor person may reach same point of happiness

Vedanta: Heaven is within you. In most faith based religion happiness is later post life ends (heaven).

Verse 47 is famous verse that is the core of Karma Yoga

Your job (Karma) is only to fulfil the duty (Dharma) and not expect the reward (anxiety for result)

We discussed how in management nowadays there is a move from Result orientation management philosophy to process orientation.

In whatever one does one is only a contributory factor.

e.g.: a farmer can only plant the seeds . He cannot control influence of cyclone or make good rains to make good crops.

If you reduce effort you may get disappointed by work and result

We then watched Swami Chinmayananda's video on the same verse

The Result of an action cannot come before action or during action.

We can only act now in the present. Over anxiousness on fruit of action: Wasting my vitality for unknown called future.

Class Summary for Oct 14, 2018 - Chapter-2: 41 to 43

Summarized by :  Sridhar

We met at the basement began the class with Pranayama & meditation exercises followed by the recap of the previous class. 

Objective meaning of verses 41,42 and 43

1.       Focus is the key to achieve desiring results. A man needs to work with absolute and resolute devotion /determination with a single pointed mind to attain highest level of self realization.

Certain examples of Charlie Chaplin from “Modern Minds” were discussed.

Swami Vivekananda words were cited “ Degree of concentration is the key difference between an ordinary and extraordinary mind.”

2.       Ritualistic practices gives only materialistic happiness and absolute one pointed approach executing our Dharma must be exercised .

3.       Vedas propose material benefits through various rituals but a man should concentrate on Karma and Dharma inorder to attain greatness.

Eg: Vishwamitra wanted to be the best sage and undertook penance in order to achieve the same.

Lord Indra tried to distract him by sending damsels and other approach but Vishwamitra didn’t lose his one pointed focus to achieve his objective, though initially he did get distracted.

We will continue with verses 44,45 and 46 in our next class on 11/04.

Class Summary for Oct 7, 2018 - Chapter-2: 38 to 40

Summarized by :  Jeetendra Chandwadkar

Chapter 2 (Slokas 38 - 40).​

============================================​

These are a transition from Saankhya wisdom to Karma yoga.​

Discussion started with few points such as "Ultimate v/s Relative Reality", Action in Dharma and doing ones Duty.​

Duty was broken down as - Doing our duty without being attach of likes/dislikes and Fear of result (or more precisely "Attachment to a Specific Result").​

Then the concept such as Preparation for Action v/s Action itself(doing) was elaborated by moderators. In it Nitya Sadhana which helps Intellect controlling the mind during the action and attitude such as Why me v/s why not me should be cultivated.​

Example of doing a Child Project with or without a specific Target (School exhibition) was talked about. What was our mental attitude while doing that project, either attachment to the Grade or doing just for Fun part without any attachment to end result.​

​

An issue was raised regarding Gita teachings just enhancing us Intellectually but very hard to use at Practical purposes. A need for moderators giving  personal day to day real life examples will be useful and benificial to all.​

One talk about was, Patient at doctors office and Doctors not being emotionally supportive and insensitive. As part of medical profession is the duty of doctor is "Patient caring" or "Problem fixing without caring" and move on to next Pateint in line.  Hiding behind emotions or doing right things. ​

Another example of IVY League or College Pressure on High performance students and their stress factors .​

The next example was Job related pressure and performance issue leading to suicidal tendencies. and one of the area overlook was EQ (Emotional intelligence) which is different than having a high  IQ and landing a good Job.​

Ability to maintain the Balance in every situations;​

All of these is Self journey and self effort, no quick fixes, practice Gita preaching's.​

​

Then Swamiji videos for Chapter 2 verses 38 -39 was played, which reiterated the same point discussed and in a better way pointing to few examples.​

 Like: accepting result with attitude such as "Better luck next time, be a sportsman,​

 Don't get disappointed, situation are there, you play the game (win or loose is just an outcome),​ Success and failure are 2 sides of coins.​

Play with the nature of the waves (aka Situations etc), enter in their rhythm and always do the best without attachments.​

Then Gurudev also explain the concept of ACT v/s ACTION - In Human Intelligent Action is work;​

whereas in plant and animals, they are set of response with instincts and impulses.​

​

At the end the subjective analysis of slokas 38 - 40 was summarize:​

Karma yoga - Purifies the mind;​

Bhakti yoga - Focus the mind (example of computer disk defragmentation process); and​

Gyana yoga - Realization (Physical, mental and phycological Freedom from Attachment).​

An example of Farmer cultivating the crop with Vyasarika buddhi was discussed, whereas he takes Step by step process and performs his work and duty, knowingly that there are lots of factors effecting the end result (i.e.: the final Crop produced)

Class Summary for Sep 30, 2018 - Chapter-2: 34 to 37

Summarized by :  Ram Sudheendra

We started the class with Pranayaama and Meditation and moved on to the summary of previous session’s chapters 30 to 33.  The summary got escalated to more debates and discussions on Dharma. Some of the questions raised during discussions are...

What is your Dharma?

Who defines one’s Dharma?

Swardharma: How it differs for every individual?

What is expected and What are you capable of?

Some of the examples discussed are:

·        A rich man who has the capability to sponsor food for the poor,  but he is bad at cooking should not try to exhaust his desire by cooking

·        Doctors duty towards his patients

·        A person in distress

We also discussed the importance of chanting the slokas and proper pronunciation of letters and words that can sharpen the intellect and increase one’s attention.

Class further discussed on Preyas and Shreyas and how man’s transactions and achievements revolve around these two paths of convenience and righteousness respectively. Humans can decide to take short term pleasures that lead to downfall or take the path that is difficult in the beginning, leading to long term good benefits of self and the people around.

Sheyas discussion then lead to the importance of one’s duties. All individuals have duties to perform for societies greater good. Communities are messed up when individuals do not perform their duties in the righteous way.

Class chanted slokas 34 to 37:

Krishna continue his teachings to Arjuna who is hesitating to fight in the war. Krishna says that people around Arjuna will talk about this dishonor and all his honor that he has earned and famous for, will disappear instantly. People will never forget if Arjuna continues this path that makes the dishonor worse than a death. The great commanders in the army who looked up to Arjuna as their hero will doubt his skills and conclude that he withdrew from this battle because of fear.  Arjuna’s enemies will disgrace his valor with foul language, point their finger at him and laugh at him as a hero who ran away from the battlefield. This will bring great suffering to Arjuna rest of his life and history will remember this forever. It does not matter Arjuna loses or wins this battle, it will always bring positive gain either way and for doing his duty by fighting this battle for noble cause of Dharma. Doing so, if he wins, Arjuna will rule his kingdom and enjoy the earth and attain Veera-swarga or if he looses and dies in the battlefield, he will still obtain a heroes’ heaven.

Class chanted slokas 38 to 40:

Krishna reminds Arjuna the importance of doing his duties will not acquire any sin. Even though there is pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat, engaging himself in the battle and performing his duty as Kshatriya, treating all of these pairs of opposite the same, will remove all sins. It does not matter if he kills many of his enemies in the battle field, which he is destined to do.

Krishna says all these teaching to Arjuna are belonging to Saankhya philosophy to achieve absolute reality that can end all sorrows caused from various attachments. Going forward Krishna will teach Arjuna how to attain wisdom by performing Yoga which will end the cycle of birth and death. Here Yoga means Karma-Yoga, the way of life and action taken daily be an individual and its consequences. Krishna says that this Karma-Yoga protects everyone from fear. Krishna brings this topic since Arjuna is still looking for more answers and justification from Krishna to overcome his fear of killing his own people.

Class Summary for Sep 23, 2018 - Chapter-2: 30 to 32

Summarized by Shivkumar Natarajan:

We started the class with pranayama and meditation. We then picked up from the last session where each of the groups had done a recap of the following:

·         Key terminology revisited from self-unfoldment

·         Chapter 1 summary

·         What Bhagwad Gita means to us

·         Relative reality vs ultimate reality.

We started with the last team elaborating on the 4^th point.

Arjuna’s continued agony and final surrender for Lord Krishna’s teaching and guidance. Lord Krishna starts with the ultimate truth regarding the true self in you (Arjuna) and that it can never be destroyed. He explains in great detail regarding the Aatma. He then shifts teaching to the relative reality and explains that the body like everything is not permanent.

We then discussed the difference between Attainment vs Realization

Attainment is a journey  whereas Realization is being aware of something that is already present

We then discussed the importance of Mananam with couple of examples

The class debated on ultimate reality not being sufficient (telling person whose close one passed away about aatma moving on ) and need to excel in relative reality. We summarized the point that the ultimate reality helps accept and move on . How it helps one be balanced in dealing with situation at work (example of colleague who came dressed not as per dress code)

A unique view of chapter 2 was presented: The treatment of a patient (Arjuna) by Lord Krishna.

·         Shlokas 1-10 Arjuna surrendering to the Lord

·         Shlokas 11-46 Sankhya/Bhrama Gnyana (Surgery)

This could further be split as

(a. 11-38 : Cosmic vision b. 30-46:Dharmic or Loukika dhristi)

·         Shlokas 47-60 Karma Yoga (Secondary medicine)

·         Shlokas 71-72 : Bhakti Yoga  (Supplemental medicine)

·         Shlokas 71-72 Renunciation/ Sanyasa Yoga or Jeevan Mukti Purusha (Cured person)

Then, we discussed that If there are many routes why did God start with the toughest part first instead of something Arjuna would easily understand? 

Typically,  given a lower goal mankind settles for the same. God wanted the standard to be set at the highest so that there was a clear goal to go towards as we evolve in the easier paths.

It was also mentioned that there is a school of thought that the Gita ended with chapter 2 and the remaining chapters are added by Vyasa muni (or his disciples) to elaborate on the topics that were described by the Lord in a concise manner.

At final part of the class we read through verse 30-32.

Verse 30 is the Lords conclusion to the topic of Absolute Truth (Lord Reiterates the same).

There are 2 types of Swadharma

·         Para Dharma: Spiritual ( to love, serve and realize God)

·         Apar Dharma : Materialistic (as per ashram and guna )

Few points we discussed on :

·         Many times our likes and dislikes stop us from doing our swadharma.

·         Fighting for a noble cause is considered punya/merit

·         Sin can occur through commission or omission

We then concluded the class with prayers .. 

Class Summary for June 3, 2018 - Mid year Summary

Summarized by Neelima Turaga:

The class started with the opening prayers and meditation.

We discussed the famous statement of motivational speaker Jim Rohn, “ We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with”. The people you spend time with, and the activities chosen to spend time on can have a great influence on a person. With the summer coming up and hopefully with some extra time on our hands, it’s time for us to ponder on this statement, and choose wisely the company we keep and activities we engage in.

We discussed the subjective analysis of shlokas 26-29. In an emotional condition, we are in an illusionary state. When we are free of emotions, we are in a relative reality state. Rarely, when we clear all our emotions, in a meditative state, we can be in absolute reality.

As an example, if a friend calls in the morning and tells you that he met an enemy of yours yesterday, and would give more details in the evening. You would be thinking about it all day and keep imagining all sorts of things and different unpleasant scenarios. This is unreal. When the friend meets you in the evening, and starts talking about several different topics, except for the enemy, you start thinking that maybe it wasn’t that bad after all. May be the enemy did not really say anything bad. This is relative reality. But suppose the friend tells you that in fact your enemy was all praise for you, and fondly remembered the time spent with you, which is the absolute reality.

Tip – Daily when you wake up, spend a few moments to thank the Supreme power for everything, and recall the true “you” and remind yourself that everything else is unreal or relatively real and impermanent.

Scientific studies have proven that people practicing meditation for a long time have more gamma waves, indicating high performance of the brain. They also have alpha waves when necessary, meaning they can be in an alert state whenever necessary.

One of the techniques of meditation, involves “japa”, taking the Lord’s name and pause a few times in between to experience total silence and continue with the japa.  With practice, the periods of silence would become longer and easier to achieve.

There was a story about a monk who lived in India. He had renounced all the worldly possessions, and all he had was a begging bowl. The people nearby had great respect for him, and treated him like God. The  queen of that kingdom heard about the monk and came to see him. She saw that he had nothing in his possession, but a begging bowl. Assuming that all his power and divinity came from that bowl, she asked him to give to her. She said that he could have a golden bowl studded with diamonds, in return. The monk was ready to give her what she wished for, without anything in return. He accepted the golden bowl on her insistence. A thief was watching all this from a distance. He felt that the monk would have no use for the golden bowl, and decided to steal it from him. As he approached the monk’s hermitage, he saw the monk throw the very bowl at him from the window. He picked it up. He could have quietly walked away, getting what he wanted, but his curiosity did not let him leave. He wondered why the monk threw the bowl out, and was determined to find out. He went in and asked the monk, why he threw away such a precious bowl. He wanted to know how that was possible, and if he could become his disciple.  He said that he was a thief, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not give up. That was the only thing he knew. The monk said he had no problem if he was a thief and gave him a month’s time and told him that whenever he went to steal something, stop for few moments to focus on his breathing.  And after a month, he can come back to be his disciple. A month passed by and the thief returned, very weak and frail. He told the monk that he could not steal at all in the past month, and every time he started focusing on his breathing, he somehow just walked away without stealing. He completely got rid of that habit and became the disciple of the monk.

This story tells us that however ignorant one may be, a time may come when a single moment can transform him by kindling the urge to know and acquire knowledge.

Since this was the last class for the year 2017-18, everyone was asked their feedback about the study group format and content. Study group plans for the year 2018-19 were discussed.

We ended the class with closing prayers.

Class Summary for May 27, 2018 - Chapter-2: 26 too 29

Summarized by Deepa Kumar:

Krishna explains to Arjuna the concept of absolute reality in shloka 11-25 and from shloka 26 onwards he talks about relative reality.

When an object like a bullet or sword tries to cut the flow of water, it does not happen. Water just flows around it and the flow never gets affected. Similarly, Atma can never get affected by any action; hence it is AKARTHA and ABOKTHA. Atma is hence subtler than the subtler. We do have free will to continue our action in the journey of life.

Example from Upanishad: When a guru tried to drown his own student and held him under water, the student was surprised with the guru’s action and was constantly struggling to come out and breathe. When the guru let him out after sometime, he asked his student what was he thinking when he was drowning.  The student stated he was thinking about nothing other than resurfacing to breathe. The guru told the student that thinking about the lord in difficult times or in every action is required and this can only be practiced by doing more Shravanam and Mananam regularly. The urge to acquire is knowledge or attain this realization, should be just like the desire the student had to come out of water and breath. 

There are many beliefs that the Atma itself is being born again and again, or everything is limited to body, which is easier for everyone to understand. In Buddhism they believe that the Atma is born again and again. While in Christianity, they believe in body (or rather, what they see), and believe in going to heaven or hell after death. In either case, death is the final truth!

Benjamin Franklin said this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. He firmly believed that death is certain and inevitable.

We talked about the story in Mahabharata about the Yaksha Prashna. When the Pandvas where in exile and went to the river bank out of thirst, Yama himself appeared as Yaksha, and asked them questions before they could drink water.  Yudhisthira had patience to answer his questions, while others died without answering. One among the many questions where “What is most surprising?” for which Yudhisthira replies “ Day after day countless creatures are going to the abode of Yama, yet those that remain behind believe themselves to be immortal. What can be more surprising than this?”

In the materialistic realm each individual comprises of 3 types of body –Gross, Subtle and Casual.

The soul manifest with the gross body

Example 1: Kids manifest different characters in video games to accomplish their task in the virtual world, and un-manifest once completed

Example 2 : Sun’s reflection in the bucket of water

Example 3 : Dust visible when a ray of light falls on an object

Atma cannot be searched, it has to be realized.

Example 1 : Once a sanyasi was travelling, carrying his wealth to give to needy. Along with him travelled a thief who was waiting to take away his wealth, so the sanyasi was very cautious while he was awake. During the night fall, the sanyasi slept so peacefully while the thief was searching through all his possession. But the thief was disappointed every night as he couldn’t find anything. The last day of travel the thief asked the sanyasi where he hid his wealth while he slept every night, and sanyasi replied that he had it under the thief’s pillow, since he knew that he would not check there.

Example 2: Mother asked her kid to search for her lost ring near the front door. The kid searched near the neighbor’s front door since it was brightly lit as opposed to his own front door. Mother explained to the kid that he would never find the ring, since he is searching in the wrong place.

Class Summary for May 13, 2018 - Chapter-2: 23 to 25

Summarized by Sridhar V:

The class observed Pranayama followed by the recap of the last workshop session.(05/06)

Chapter 2- Verses 23/24 and 25 were discussed and explained to the class.

Analysis:

• Lord Krishna advises Arjuna that "Wepaons cannot shred the soul" nor "Fire can burn it". 

• The immutable "SELF" or JEEVA is being described by the Lord in terms of mutable and ever changing world which is familiar to Arjuna and all the normal human beings. In the world of change,objects come to their end either through death associating themselves with Fire/Water or Air.

• The soul cannot be made wet with water nor can the wind dry it.The soul is unbreakable and incombustible and it neither be destroyed or dampened. It is everlasting.

• We discussed the example of a "glass coffin" where in a study was conducted by a group of indiviuals who wanted to capture the process of death and observe anything that goes away from the human body when the event of death occurs. Despite employing all the possible scientific ways to capture the same they were not able to visually spot anything leaving the body during death .

• Lord Krishna further clarifies to Arjuna that everything in this world can be related to "MANIFESTATION" and "UNMANIFESTATION". The Lord explains that a thing is called manifested when we can perceive through one or other of our sense organs. That which is beyond all the five sense organs is called unmanifested that which cant be seen,heard,smelt,felt or tasted.

• Lord Krishna thus advises Arjuna to end his grief by re-iterating the fact that he who understands the eternal nature of the SELF can have neither the occassion to see himself as the slayer nor recognise others as the slain.

Related discussions and activities:

• Maniji recited a story about Ramdas mentioning to the class the choice between returning back to mankind to serve or being one with Bramhan.

• We also discussed that there is nothing in this universe called as "Creation" and its a fallacy of various theories. The real truth is "Manifestation" and " Unmanifestation".

• Mani-ji mentioned the story of Barbarika alias Shyam ,the grandson of Bhima (second of the Pandava brothers), and the son of Ghatotkacha. It was metioned that from his childhood, Barbarika was a very brave warrior and that he learnt the art of warfare from his mother. Krishna offered him Moksha in return for Barbarika being able to witness the entire Mahabharata from a global level(from the top of a mountain).  Once Barbarika was released from the vicious cycle of birth & death all he could envision was Lord Krishna everywhere/all across the battle field.(as he became one with Bramhan).

• 2 videos of Gurudev were played where in the concept of birth/rebirth  was explained in simple terms and Gurudev also emphasised that the soul(Jeevatma) has to acquire a gross body to exhaust all the impressions acquired from the previous birth(Prarabdham)

Class Summary for May 06, 2018 - Chapter-2: 19 to 22

Summarized by Shilpa Sail:

In this weeks class, we discussed chapter-2 verse 19 to 22.

Verse 19-22

Arjuna is pained by the thought that he will be held responsible for the killing of his elders, Bhishma and others.  Shri Krishna explains that the Atma/soul does not die. The body in which the soul dwells separates from the body, but the soul exists. The soul is eternal, ageless, omnipresent.

Shri Krishna further explains that the Atma/soul is not born nor does it die. It is ever existing. It is ageless.  

Shri Krishna explains to Arjuna that concept of rebirth by providing the analogy of clothes. When a garment becomes old and useless, we scrap the old ones and buy new ones, but when this activity is being done we don't change ourselves. Likewise, the soul changes the body, it discards the old body and starts dwelling in a new body when it takes birth. The soul is the same it does not change.

Atma/Soul is`----

* Akartha, it cannot do anything by itself. 

* Abhokta, it cannot experience any results of any action. 

* Nirvikara, it is free from change.

Other topics discussed in our session.

⦁ Prarthana said she attended a medical session which focussed on Yoga, Om, and Meditation.

Western culture is looking towards the east for ways to relieve chronic pain. They believe for chronic pain yoga and meditation are providing significant benefits. Scientific study has proven that people exposed to yoga or meditation are responding better to these treatments rather than medication.

The group had a discussion on how the western group is influencing Vedanta and spiritual study in India / amongst Indians.

Mani Sir was confident that our culture is so vast and that it will stay for years to come.

⦁ Thirteen days ritual after death in a family.

In most of the Hindu families, there is a twelve day morning period. It gives the grieving family time to accept the reality and give the Atma a force for transitioning into the next birth.

⦁ Can the jeevatma who has become one with the Paramatma ever get detached. 

The answer is yes if the jeevatma get distracted from its service to the Parmatma. Even an iota of separation comes at a virtual level also then the jeevatma separates from the Paramatma.

From a Advaita perspective, once the Jeevatma becomes one with Paramatma it does not come back or get separated. In special cases it can re-manifest itself during avataar of Paramatma etc., 

⦁ Why in some temples the prasad is not given in hand but appears that it is thrown.

It is not because of the untouchable practice that was followed. The people who are in the temple have strong magnetic/ energy if they touch you, may be the energy will transverse between you and the temple priest which some people might now be able to with-stand.

⦁ Prasad narrated a story about two monks.

One day they were two monks walking towards the monastery. They saw a beautiful lady hurt on the side of the road. The first monk went towards her and picked her.

 The second monk tried to explain to the first monk that we as monks should not touch any female. I will complain about you to the Head Monk. The first monk did not pay any heed to the second monk but went ahead in his duty to help the Lady and returned to the monastery. At the monastery, the second monk told the head what had happened. The first monk said I did not carry that in my mind it is you who have carried it.

⦁ Mani Sir told a story on similar lines about muni Vyasa and his son Shuka.

One day Vyasa was following his son to a lake. Some ladies were bathing in there. Shuka was in front of Vyasa the ladies did not bother to cover themselves when they saw him. Then, they saw Vyasa they hurried to cover themselves. Vyasa was puzzled. After returning to the ashram he asked his son why the ladies tried to cover them after seeing Vyvas but not Shuka. The reason is due to Shuka's complete lack of self-consciousness the ladies did not consider him to be any distraction.