Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

Summarized by   Sucheta Dighe: We began the session by introducing the new members and giving them a synopsis of our study group. Ch. 8 – Aksharabrahma Yoga (The Imperishable Truth) John Rohn: "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” Sample Sadhana Package: • Wake-up prayer/thought • Sandhyavandanam (if applicable) • Prayer/puja at home altar • Yogasana (10 to 30 mins) • Pranayama (5 to 10 mins) • Meditation (10–30 mins) (recommended early AM) • Afternoon or evening walk (outdoors if possible) • Daily Shravanam (spiritual book/audio/video) • Volunteering activity (regular commitment) • Night bed-time introspection Big Picture Structure of the Gita Ch 1–6 → Jīva (individual) → Karma Yoga Ch 7–12 → Īshvara (Lord) → Bhakti Yoga Ch 13–18 → Jagat (world) → Jñāna Yoga Ch 8 – Aksharabrahma Yoga (the imperishable truth) Introduction - Verses 1–4 – Brahman, Atman & world (Arjuna’s questions) Verses 5–7 – As you think, so you become Verses 8–14 – How to attain...

Summarized by   Rajesh: What is Gnyana and Vignayana? Gnyana - how we perceive/see things?  I see a pot Vignyana - what is the essence of the thing that i see?  I see clay Apara Prakriti & Para Prakriti lower nature = gross manifestation, material, Maya upper nature = consciousness when we only see the gross manifestation (lower nature) and not the upper nature, that is why we suffer Effect is limited but Cause is limitless. Cause cannot be limited by Effect - the pot does not limit the clay and the various forms it can take. Pearls on a string example - the thread can exist without the pearls but the pearls depend on the thread for support. Sun and earth.  Between Sun and Earth, it is dark.  The only time we see the sunlight is when it is reflected off something - like objects on earth or the moon. In the same way, thoughts are illumined by Consciousness. I am the strength in the strong.  We can find strength without kama & raaga. Gunas - obscures ...

Summarized by   Sudha.R: Opening Prayers, Breathing Exercise & Meditation Recap of previous class We listened to Gurudev’s videos for Chapter 7 - Verse 26, Part 1: In video 1, Gurudev communicates about the consciousness being Omniscient.  He draws a comparison between the sun and the consciousness in each one of us.  Just like how the sun illumines everything during the day, the consciousness in me and you illumines our body, mnd and intellect.  Just like how the sun is the Seer of everything, our consciousness is the knower and seer of everything. The consciousness in me is the consciousness in you.  Just like how the sun illumines everything that has happened in the past, everything that is happening right now, and everything that will happen in the future, God knows the past, present, and the future.  Gurudev says, the only sad part for God is that no one knows about Him! Chapter 7 - Verse 26, Part 2: The perceiver, feeler, and thinker can only perc...

  Summarized by   Sucheta Dighe: Maniji started the discussion by talking about last week's yagnas. where swamiji said that even if the scriptures are for everyone, their meaning changes for each one of us as we are at different places in our journey.  Saiji mentioned the importance of a good guru who understands our spiritual level and guides us accordingly. Even if we do not understand the Brahman, the meditation, etc, if we continue with our sadhana, we will reach our goal. The sadhana could be as simple as remembering Rama's name when you wake up and when you go to sleep; or as hard as reciting HIS name throughout the day, while working, etc. Don't give up, do it consistently. Swamiji said that we are all lucky to do what we are doing in terms of this sadhana. It reflects on our past life's karmas too. Swamiji, during his Q and A session answered a question about faith by asking us to test God by putting our problems at his feet and telling him to solve them. Invari...

Summarized by   Sucheta Dighe: After the recap of the last session, Saiji explained that when Krishna uses the pronouns ME and me, the capital ME means the all-pervading Brahman and the lowercase me is the physical form of Krishna. Krishna says that "I" am the one that answers your prayers to the different forms/Devas/Gods you worship and blesses you with what you want, provided you have put enough efforts in your work as well as your prayers. The "I" here is the Brahman. Maniji - We say that Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life. Although it sounds clichéd, Sadhguru says that Hindus respect and worship nature, animals, humans and everything in this universe which is a creation of the Almighty. It is a way of life because we respect life in all forms and we appreciate it. Video - Verse 22 - Self - effort That individual, by that newly and now grown faith in himself that he is pursuing, he becomes fascinated in pouring out more and more sincere energy and vit...

Summarized by Bala: After pranayama and meditation, recap from February 3rd was summarized. What does the Lord love, Gyani for certain, also the one who surrenders to him – Eka Bhakthi Slokas 20, 21 and 22 When one’s wisdom is carried away by a desire, the person may worship other Gods/Devas (not the Brahman).  If the devotee worships with faith to the devas, the Lord will fulfill those desires (limited) One needs to understand that although the desires are fulfilled, it is actually provided by the Brahman alone. Make a slight shift in our focus from a Materialistic world (Manoranjan) onto the real self (Atmaranjan). Theme When a small child is provided the options of a chocolate/candy and currency notes (as an example),  the child may pick the candy for instant pleasure and does not realize the value of the currency.  We should choose wisely.  All the options are provided by the Lord.  It is up to each one of us to pick the correct ones. Faith and Belief is som...