Summarized by Angila Singh:
We continued our discussion on Chapter 8, verse 1 to 6-
1. We talked about meditation and brain waves-
Meditation can increase the production of the following brain wave frequencies:
- Alpha waves: Associated with relaxation, wakeful relaxation, and creativity.
- Theta waves: Associated with enhanced learning abilities and overall mental well-being.
- Gamma waves: Used to study the process of learning, as well as cognitive processing.
Meditation can also reduce beta waves, which are associated with active thought and learning.
2. Arjuna’s question – How do I get to know you at the time of death?
Lord Krishna’s answer alludes to the following-
Practice to have a resultant(final) desire to think of the Lord ~ Higher Focus.
3. We cannot multi-task however we can switch between tasks.
4. Bhakti Yog is embedded in the path towards Moksha/liberation starting from Saguna upasana.
5. When Lord says think of me, it can be understood as think of Saguna aspect of Lord or it can also be understood as think of Brahman (Nirguna)
6. Liberation can be sequential which is remembering the Lord ( Saguna Brahman) leading to Brahm loka, where Lord Brahma gives ultimate gyan for Moksha.
7. What governs our thoughts~ vasanas+free will. To a major extent we can purify thoughts by changing/controlling vasanas.
Vedantic perspective
Watch your Vasanas,
they become your thoughts
Watch your thoughts,
they become your words;
watch your words,
they become your actions;
watch your actions,
they become your habits;
watch your habits,
they become your character;
watch your character,
it becomes your destiny
8. We talked about this story.
Arjuna after receiving this great knowledge from Lord Krishna goes on to fight the battle.
He is attacked by Narayan Astra immediately he is worried, does not know what to do, seeks Lord’s help. The Lord asks him to surrender, the point is we can still forget this great knowledge when the moment comes so it’s important to practice.
9. Differences between Takes Givers
Takers | Givers |
World created for our pleasure- deprivation hence grab | World meant for All- All thrive plenty for all |
Believe they are right | Open to correction |
Always dissatisfied | Content |
Lonely | Blend and harmonious |
Insecure | Secure |
Dissatisfaction increases | Dissatisfaction is reduced |
10. Homework questions-
1. Why is Warren Buffet still focused on making money? He is 93 years of age, what could be his drive?
2. The second question is about security and insecurity. Identify 1 to 3 people around you whom you think are secure in their demeanor and ask them why they don’t feel insecure.
11. We chanted shlokas 7 to 10.
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Summarized by Bala Dhandapani:
After pranayama and meditation, salient points from previous class was summarized. In addition, the following points were discussed as the Subjective Analysis of Sloka versus 1-6:
-Meditation is being in a meditative state, it is not a verb.
-Practice constantly to have a higher focus/desire, think of the Lord
-Bhakti yoga is explained in verse 1-6
-Saguna Upasana vs. Nirguna Upasana was discussed. Start with Saguna upasana and move to Nirguna Upasana.
-Krishna tells Arjuna, think of ME in your dying moment, and starts to explain as to how this is possible.
-Chapter 8 discusses about krama mukti (time based) and not immediate mukti
-Only one active thought is possible at any given moment in our mind, what governs our thoughts ?
- we should change our vasanas so that we can think of the Lord. As you think, so you become
-Thinking of Krishna (saguna form) at Prayana Kaale takes us to Brahma loga. Brahma will impart the knowledge /gyana to get the Moksha.
-All thoughts are driven by 2 factors – vasanas and free will. Folks who are young (strong) can exercise free will more than an aged person. Exercise of Free will goes down with time since faculties slow down.
-Free will is the active thought, where as vasanas are the passive thoughts.
-watch your thoughts they become your words, words becomes actions, actions becomes habits, habits become character and character becomes destiny.
-the starting point of your thoughts is your Vasana, watch your vasanas and beware of the same.
-differences in the traits of a person who takes vs gives was presented, some of the differences are profoundly lonely vs Blend and harmonize. Insecure vs Secure etc.
Verses 7-10 were chanted
Summary of the slokas
7- At all times/always think of me and do your duty, if you fix your mind and intellect on the lord, one would certainly reach the lord.
8- With constant practice, when one constantly engage their mind (meditate) in reaching the supreme being, will attain the lord.
9- 10 God who is omniscient, who is subtler than the subtle, creator of all who is shining (like a sun) and beyond darkness can be reached when mediated between the eyebrows
Points to discuss for next class
-Why is Warren Buffett’s focus is still to make money
-Identify 1-3 people who does not feel insecure at all.
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