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......