Class Summary for Mar 01, 2020 - Chapter-12 Slokas 1-4

Summarized by :  Shivkumar Natarajan

The current conversation is a continuation from chapter 7 where the Lord states that I am the unmanifest one and chapter 11 where Krishna reveals his Vishwaroopam ( that he is everything). So Arjuna wants to know from the Lord which of the 2 states of the Lord should he pursue. His Saguna form or his Nirguna form. To understand abstract start with the concrete. Krishna starts with the highest.

Lots of attributes given attribute less. Space is the subtlest of 5 elements (Panchabootham). Movement is only possible for limited. Change is possible when there is changeless substratum. Hammer and anvil have to be changeless substratum to allow shaping of metal by smithy. 

That which allows you to think is the substratum. If you think you are the body (Dehaabhiman)then you can meditate on objects. However if you are thinking beyond form then you can meditate on abstract. 

Meditating on the Self is the difficult part.

Staircase to Bhramhan

                                                          Gnyan Yoga

                                              Upasana Yoga

                                       Nishkama Karma

Karma Yoga.  Kamiya Karma 

Theme

1. Saguna includes single form or multiple form

2. Nirguna is formless -> beyond senses, attributes etc

3. Saguna Bhakti is means to Nirguna Bhakti. So question is wrong !!

4. For Nirguna path we need 4 D's namely Dispassion, Discipline, Detatchment and Desirelessness.

5. Qualification : Senses focused inward , equanimity and commitment to self and all of the living beings ( Universal love)

6.Transact in duality but recognise singularity

6. Perform all transactions with love

Bhrahman when seen through prism of BMI results in plurality.

Class Summary for Feb 09, 2020 - Chapter-12 Introduction

Summarized by :  Bala Dhandapani

Introduction to Chapter 12- Bhakti Yoga –– Yoga of Devotion

High level summary of Chapter 1 (Arjuna’s grief), Chapter 2 (Ideal State  Sankya Yoga) and Chapter 3 (karma Yoga – attitude that we need when doing karma) was rdone as a recap.

Four paths to Brahman was discussed

• Jnana Yoga – Intellectual (Meditation)

• Bhakthi Yoga – Emotional (Devotion)

• Karma Yoga – Applies to both Intellect & Emotions

• Hatha Yoga – Applies neither to Intellect nor Emotion

With Jnana Yoga – acquire the knowledge and then meditate.

Shravanam is listening, Mananam is understanding and digesting the informatio.  Mananam is also removal of doubts, more questions may come up in the beginning of mananam, later – the questions will fade away and setle down.

The above 4 paths are not mutually exclusive and are not independent.

Shravanam, Mananam and Nidhitasyanam was discussed.

Jnana yoga appelas to Intellectuals, Bhakthi yoga to emotional, Karma yoga to both intellectual and emotional.  Hatha yoga is a path to discipline the body, it is a physical activity to prepare your body.  Body has to be fit to do anything.  Also, body should not be distracted to other things.  

Inter-dependancy of Bhakthi yoga with other yogas to attain Brahman was described through example of a staircase.  Consider that the staircase leads to Brahman with 5 steps and Bhakthi Yoga as the stair railings.

Step 1: Karma

Step 2: Karma Yoga

Step 3: Upasana Yoga  - meditation on single God (Ista devata)

Step 4: Upasana Yoga – meditation on all forms of Gods (Vishva roopa)

Step 5: Jnana Yoga – meditation on Nirguna Brahman, final step before merging with Brahman. Shravanam, Manama & Nidithyasanam.

Consider steps 1-4 as a pole valut, 5^th step prior to jumping.

Another definition of Bhakthi – Faith.  Meera Bhai used Bhakthi to reach Moksha.   Intense Bhakthi  is to completely surrender. Faith in yourself and completely surrender.

Bhakthi Yoga consists of 3 sadhanas – Karma Yoga, Upasana Yoga and Jnana Yoga  (Nirguna – meditate on space, no smell, no shape).

Class Summary for Jan 12, 2020 - Chapter-3 Slokas 40- 43

Summarized by :  Sridhar V

The following are the excerpts /notes from our studygroup class as on 1.12.2020.

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

We did a recap from our last class 01.05.2020 where in verses 37-39 were discussed.

In the recap we had a mention of ALCOHOLISM as an example where in an alcoholic tries her best to get rid of her addiction to alcohol but finds it very difficult and easy to succumb back.

This was in context akin to burning pathways in our life time which may be due to vasanas from previous births and combinations of Gunas in this birth.

Rehabilitation program etc(in this example) can only be of assistance to get rid of  the VASANA but at the end of it its own efforts that matters to get back to the society without any issues of mutual co-existence.

Gurudev's video was played where in he describes the impact of sense of contact and the meaning of SIN. Swamiji mentions LUST as a “Desire wih extreme impatience” which ultimately makes human being a SINNER.

Excerpts of verses 40,41,42 and 43:

There were 2 stories that were mentioned as an explanation to these verses :

Story No 1: It was about an Udupi King who was blessed with a uncanny gift of feeding people. He was so adept at it that everyone wanted to know the reason as to how he was able to manage and feed the warriors exactly without any wastage.

At the behest of multiple requests the Udupi King quipped that every other evening prior to the preparation for next day’s food and its count,he would approach Lord Krishna who would be munching on peanuts post dinner late night.

The secret was the number of peanuts each night Lord Krishna would  eat, those many people would be killed in the battle front the next day, and that was how he was able to feed without any wastage of food.

Story No 2: This story was about RAMA and BHEESHMA whose family members were bestowed with choice of their own wishes but the results ended up being drastically different.

Kaikeyi was awarded 3 boons of her choice and even though she made choices to suit Bharata and not Rama, because there was no selfish motive either from either King or Rama the dynasty only improved and prospered whereas in incase of Bheeshma because of Shatanu’s lust for Satayavati was there, the Kaurava’s entire dynasty got wiped out.

Moral from the stories :The intent behind every action is very important.

Interpretation/Message of verses 40-43:

The senses, mind, and intellect are said to be breeding grounds of desire. Through them, it clouds one’s knowledge and deludes the embodied soul

The senses are superior to the gross body, and superior to the senses is the mind. Beyond the mind is the intellect, and even beyond the intellect is the soul.

Senses are the grossest,Mind is comparatively subtle and Intellect is the subtelest(Grossest to subtlest).

In conclusion, Shree Krishna emphasizes that we should slay this enemy called lust through knowledge of the self. Since the soul is a part of God, it is divine in nature. Thus, the divine bliss it seeks can only be attained from a divine subject, while the objects of the world are all material. These material objects can never fulfill the innate longing of the soul and so it is futile to create desires for them. We must exert and train the intellect to think in this manner, and then use it to control the mind and the senses

Finally a man has to get rid of his VASANA”S by practicing Sadhana(each person needs to have his/her own package of Sadhana to overcome this) to experience SAT-CHIT-ANANDA.

10 POINT CHECK UP for WISE MAN:

1.       Content

2.       Balanced

3.       Independent

4.       Fearless

5.       Accepting

6.       Disciplined

7.       Devoted

8.       Aware

9.       Knowledgeable

10.   Humble

Karma Yoga practice approach for Dummies:

1^st level :SAKAAMA KARMA

Take the materialistic path :Do all your karma’s using Dharmic ways with an attitude of Prasada Budhi.

2^nd level : NISHKAAMA KARMA

Non materialistic path: Every action of yours should be to give other(time,money,food,counselling etc) with an Arpanam attitude.

With this we wrapped up Chapter 3 and would be moving on to Chapter 12 from our next class.

There was also an exercise that was assigned to all the participants (who were divided into 4 groups) and were asked to come prepared to present/talk on their respective subjects.

The four topics for assignment were -

01. How do you make any action a YOGA? Explain 

02. How are Karma Yoga and Gnana Yoga connected? Explain

03. Who/What is the major obstacle or enemy for Karma Yoga? Explain

04. Who is a Bhogi and who is a Yogi? Explain

Class Summary for Jan 5, 2020 - Chapter-3 Slokas 36- 39

Summarized by :  Aruna Amaresan

We refreshed on last week's message. We reviewed the Sadhana package from last week. And the key messages.

 

Below is a sample saadhana package  - We should try to do at least a subset of these in order to burn our vasanas, and maintain that equi-balance of our mind:

1. Wakeup prayer/Thought

2. Sandhya vadanam

3. Prayer/Puja at Home altar

4. Yogasana (10-30 min)

5. Pranayama (5-10 min)

6. Meditation (10-30 min)

7. Afternoon/evening walk (outdoor if possible)

8. Daily Shravanam (Spiritual book read/ audio/video)

9. Volunteering activity

10. Night Bed time introspection

 

Try to keep to 150 min per week. Appx. 30 min per day. Example of good books to read were given  (e.g., How to break bad habits - By James C - Helps to change habits by doing one right thing for that week.

 

Today's focus was on two sections:

1. Chapter 3 - Verses 32-35

2. Chapter 3 - Verses 36-39

 

1. On Chapter 3 - Verses 32-35:

Even though you know that you are living as stupid and lifeless as before, it takes time to prepare for making a change. 

Janmanapi - Each individual lives exactly with the same tendencies of their past.

 

If you are involved and make efforts to change, performance will improve.

 

Chapter 3 - Verse 34: Each of us have our own likes and dislikes. Even though the world is like a gift to us, we can’t enjoy. We divide the world into likes and dislikes. We are running away from what we don’t like, and run towards what we like.

 

Swamiji shares that you will see that whatever you don’t like follows you. And whatever you like, runs away from you.

E.g., He never preferred eggplant and it followed him everywhere. He loves sweets, but he can’t eat it

 

Message:

 Don’t yield to likes and dislikes. But understand it.

 Tendencies are present due to Vasanas. That drives objects/emotions thoughts towards or away from us. Don’t live according to your vasanas. Try to change it.

 Where you are, and what you are facing is your prarabhda and vasanas. But how you face it is your freedom. Think and improvise

 Vasanas may go away in groups. Get into Sadhana to get your vasanas knocked out quickly. e.g.,Ekadesi Viradha

 Try to have a Delete button - In reality, most of the past is unimportant.

 

2. On Chapter 3 - Verses 36-39:

Why are we doing what we are doing? Because of lust and the past, that makes you do it. E.g.,

Smoke covering the fire. Dust covers the mirrors. Clean away the dust.

Sattvic State: It is similar to Smoke and fire situation. It can be more easily cleared. E.g.

Introspection - If you are doing it, you will be able to get insights and be an observer of yourself.

Rajasic State: It is similar to the dust covering the mirror. It takes longer to clean the dust. E.g., FOMO - Fear of missing out.

Tamasic State: Like the embryo in womb situation where it takes 9-10 months.

Note: Don’t confuse between Phobia's and mix it with texture of mind and gunas.

 

Message:

 For you to make progress towards moksha: Move to be in sattvic state more.

 All vasanas good or bad need to be sublimated. Vasanas are bondage of us to this world, and needs to be removed. E.g., As a pole vault, you have to first run with the pole, use the pole to get that momentum, and finally let go of the pole. That pole even though was so helpful for you, you do let go of it. The pole is like you moving towards the sattvic state.

 What are Vasanas? These are repeated thoughts that exhibit itself as strong habits, or

attachments, or desires. E.g., Coffee in the morning. The best person to know your vasanas is yourself. If you have no vasanas, you will have no likes or dislikes. This implies you will have no attachments to objects/emotions/thoughts. You have to attempt to clear it.  

 Sithaprajna - How do you ensure that even though you like/dislike person, you continue to

engage with them, while at the same time give them a chance? Reset your expectation on that person. Be aware of your previous experiences, but give them the benefit of the doubt. E.g., At work, you have challenges with certain individuals. You have to work with that person. What you have control is how you engage with them. Learn from your experiences, but continue the interaction.

o Look at it from a much bigger picture. There is one divinity out there. The same divinity that is within you is the divinity present in that person

o Message: Dislike the action, but not the person who performs it.

 Vasanas have a close link to desire. Lord Krishna talks about this in detail in Verses 36-39.

 What is desire? It is trying to make up for some incompleteness within us. (Apoorna). Desire is used to address the emptiness inside of us. E.g., In last year skit, we reviewed the following cycle

o OBJECTS --- SENSES ----- ATTACHMENTS -- DESIRE - If desire fulfilled, OK. If not fulfilled, leads to KRODHA ---This CLOUDS JUDGEMENT -- ANGER/DOOM STATE

 How to differentiate between Desires vs. Goals/Objectives? Desire is when you get anger/anxiety when it is not accomplished. Whereas, setting goals and objectives is to do your duty to do the best possible way as per the role you are playing.

o It is complete folly on our part, to feel incomplete due to specific objects. You decide to

buy the item, then you feel complete temporarily.

o Don’t try to make yourself feel complete by temporary objects. Look for a source of

permanent happiness

o You need the urge to do your best of your duty given to you. Note, that as an individual

everything you do is a duty. Note that treating a patient is as important as folding clothes

properly.

 A beautiful example of Lord Krishna's behavior in an event: A big yagna was happening. Lord Krishna was invited for that event. Krishna requested the host for some ways to help. The host requested him to stand outside, and take care of the footwear of the guests coming in for the event. Lord Krishna did the job so elegantly well, that no one went inside the event location. If Lord Krishna can treat even arranging footwear so well, how should we be treating each of our duties?

 Note that each job is important, and you give your 100% to it.

 On Desires:

o Desires are most impactful in Rajasic state . In Sattvic state, you will be able to manage

desires. Remember the learning earlier: Happiness formula = Desires Fulfilled / Desires entertained

The lesser desires you entertain, the higher your happiness state.

o There are 3 types of desires

 Tamasic e.g., Kumbakarna

 Rajasic e.g., Ravana

 Sattvic e.g., Vibhishana - He had a desire to do good, but managed it better, by installing

proper governance

Note: When you mind acts from a Sattvic state, you will get the support you need.

Class Summary for Dec 22, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 32- 35

Summarized by :  Prarthana

We continued with the discussion on ways of living ideally and the 5 key factors to become a Karma Yogi.

Surrendering to God is easier said than done and one’s inner instrument has to be prepared. Just as a pickle jar cannot contain milk until it is washed and cleaned. But one can start by at least being curious about he who gives us Moksha. Real surrender is a process that happens rather than just a thought in our mind.

Ways to imbibe this thinking:
1. Start the day with these thoughts.
2. Maintain your Sadhana
3. Think on these thoughts frequently

Those who do not even try will be ruined: Eg Duryodhana was given multiple opportunities to redeem himself and he could not control his mind to bring himself to make a peaceful deal with the Pandavas. When given the Vishwarupa darshana he called it Maya where as someone with the right and prepared inner equipment would have surrendered to the Lord.

An important place to start the clean up of the inner equipment is to deal with our senses becoming attached to objects.

1.Do so not by suppressing but by substituting those attachments with more subtle and higher goals.
Eg: marathoners are focused on finishing the marathon and not on the Gatorade stops.
Kids should be focused on the exam and not the vacation after the exam or adults should focus on the project rather than the gazebo that can come from the bonus after the project is completed.
2. Renunciation of attachments and distractions as far as possible.
Our attachments are going to cause energy leaks and we have to learn to manage the energy loss.
Most of our energy is lost in thinking of regrets about the past, worries for the future and being over excited about the present.
To be able to stop these energy leaks and function at a higher level of vitality – act like a Sanyasi who works without attachment to the results. Eg: Gurudev was able to work on 3 hours of sleep.
Recognise when your energy is drained and stop and re- energize in whatever way works best for you.
Increase and be aware of your Sadhana time to be able to absorb the inevitable negative energy that we may have to deal with in our daily lives.