PLEASE NOTE:

PLEASE NOTE: The posts here are strictly meant as supplement notes for participants of the study group, and not for a non-participant.
Non participants of the study group may not clearly understand the subjective aspects of the post, and could be confused. Hence, it is recommend that non-participants do not refer to this BLOG, and instead attend the study group first.
Study group meets on Sunday's at 12.45 pm @ Chinmaya Vrindavan, 95, Cranbury Neck Road, Cranbury, NJ

Monday, March 4, 2024

Class Summary for March 3, 2024 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-8 ver 20- 22

 Summarized by Rajesh:

  • We started with a recap of the last class
  • Time dilation works every night while we dream.  On average, dreams last for 90 seconds - we live lifetimes in a dream.
  • Sum of ignorances is Maya (?)

Verse 20, 21 & 22

Verse translation

  • Verse 20:  Transcendental to this manifest and unmanifest creation, there is yet another unmanifest eternal dimension.  That realm does not cease even when all others do.
  • Verse 21:  That manifest dimension is the supreme goal, and upon reaching it, one never returns to this mortal world.  That is My Supreme Abode.
  • Verse 22:  The Supreme Divine Being is greater than all that exists.  Although He is all-pervading and all living beings are situated in Him, yet He can be known only through devotion.


Discussion about verses

  • We can’t take for granted that Devotion is the only path from this last line - Karma Yoga & Jnana Yoga are also necessary.  Famous example is of a disciple to Swamiji - “I’ve gone through the Bhagvad Gita 21 times but nothing has changed.”  Swamiji asked the disciple “how many times has the Bhagvad Gita gone through you?”  It is about dropping the ego and having true faith.
  • We can’t be just professional Jnanis or professional Karma Yogis. We need all three - Jnana, Karma & Bhakti.  In my own interpretation, we need theory & practice along with belief.
  • Karma Yoga, especially Nishkama Karma or the self-less or desire less action, cleans our minds.  We have to focus this free space in our mind with Bhakti Yoga, otherwise the mind is filled with other thoughts.  Ultimately, we get Jnana.


Theme

  • Manifest state is represented by Waking and Dream states
  • Unmanifest state is represented by Deep sleep state
  • Beyond both Manifest and Unmanifest states is Brahman
  • All of us are in pursuit of happiness -> Brahman is ultimate happiness (anandam) [There is no ‘pursuit of happiness’, at least not externally or materialistically.  We are ‘ananda’ but we have not realized it.]
  • There is NO coming back from this!
  • How do we get there?  Raising above this common materialistic wold through Undistracted focus and Unwavering devotion!
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