Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

Summarized by   Anu Bhaskara We started our class with Prayers and Meditation. A Quick recap of the previous class was done. Below is few points. Reciting OM constantly is called Abhyasa Yoga. Shankaracharya gave the mention about this. Focus can be abstract and brahman can be everywhere. Saying No in the path of attaining brahman is something which we must practice. It is always about choosing the two right choices. The more sadhana the easier it helps us in making choices. While making choices, it must be a pleasure and not pain or stress. It will take time and effort that the choices we make it will help us grow spiritually and take us closer to Brahman. An example was shared by one of our group members on how things fall in place when your desire is right and how intense you have. How the universe and cosmos help to make it happen. If you really want something, then it will definitely happen. We moved on with Chapter 8. Verses 11, 12, 13. We went over the subjective Analysis- P...

Summarized by   Sucheta Dighe Recap of the last session Verse 9 – Anusmaredya - Continuous contemplation on Him. Such an entity is attained by the practice of yoga. Ex. If you are talking about an apple, explaining what are the physical features etc., in the end you say it is that which you can pluck from a tree in Simla. Giving pointers to the Brahman by saying that one needs to focus only on that at the time of death. Explanatory of verses 11, 12, 13 repeated The goal is twofold. One is to help you attain that which is unfathomable. On the other hand, it is telling you what to do to attain moksha. Discussion on Brahmacharya - brahmarcharya is control over the senses and desires. “The reason that the American Navy does so well in wartime is that war is chaos and the Americans practice chaos on a daily basis.” — Karl Dönitz Ch. 8 – Verses 11, 12, 13 Theme: • Pre-requirements for meditation      o Freedom from emotions or desire-based activities      o ...

Summarized by   Rajesh: Recap of previous class: We covered verses 7, 8 & 9 Video #195, 8-9-4, 8 Directions (part 3) - Subtlest Anoraniyanam  - subtler than the subtlest, smaller than smallest. Subtlety is a measure of pervasiveness. Ex:  Cube of ice -> Water -> Steam  - solid is the grossest, steam is the subtlest Space is the subtlest thing that we know.  Subtler than space is Narayana. It allows everything to remain in it. Video #196, 8-9-5, 8 Directions (part 4) - Supporter Anusmaredyah  -Continuously to contemplate upon Him Sarvasya Dhatharam  - He supports everything Ex: of population increasing such that poor God cannot support it any longer. It’s not that type of support - it’s like shirts supported in cotton, ornaments supported in gold, waves supported in the ocean and pots supported in clay. The very material cause of our gross form and subtle thoughts is God. Video #197, 8-9-5, 8 Directions (part 5) - Inconceivable, Effulgent like...

Summarized by   Neelima Turaga: The class started with opening prayers, pranayama, and meditation. We chanted Shlokas 7-10 of Chapter 8 and looked at the translation.  These shlokas provide a hint or a glimpse as to how one can reach Bhagawan. Brahman cannot be defined. There can only be pointers or indicators. When you think of a mango, the image of mango immediately appears in the mind'e eye. Same, if someone says "umbrella". These are clearly defined and easy to visualize. It is impossible to define Brahman. One has to only experience to understand. And this can be experienced only by constantly engaging in the thought of the higher. This constant practice or Abhyasa yoga is the path to attaining the Brahman.  Theme : You become what you think. Always think of the higher and act as per your dharma. While performing your dharmic actions, keep thinking about Brahman. This state of engaging in the higher, no matter what action is being performed (dharmic) can be...

Summarized by   Bala Dhandapani : Class exercise The following four questions were posed to the class on April 14 to discuss on April 21. 1)      Name 3 people in your life who fits the Giver category 2)      What does GOD mean to you 3)      What does Bhagavad Gita mean to you 4)      What does GURU mean to you. The class started off with opening prayers, pranayama and meditation. Many gave examples of a Giver from their family, friends, well wishers, Gurus they learnt from, Gurus they learnt about etc.  From the examples, some of the traits of a Giver are supportive, generous, calm, peaceful, negative comments not bother them, responsible, thinking of others, helpful, makes time for others, cheerful inspite of facing health issues. What does Bhagavad Gita mean to you Summary from the discussion:   Instruction manual how to lead our life, beginning of a spiritual journey, ...

Summarized by   Anuradha Bhaskara: We started our class with Opening Prayers, Pranayama and Meditation.The recap of April 7 th Class was done by Sucheta ji in detail. One of the participants shared her interesting finding with us. When in April 7 th class what happens when the subtle body leaves the body was discussed, she put this information in co-pilot which gave the answer from 18 th Verse of Bhagavad gita . We continued watching Gurudev’s videos 189- Verse 5- The Cumulative Effect. If one says they will live as they like and in the end will think of God since that is what Bhagwan mentioned – who ever thinks of me and that too in the last minute of the time the soul leaves the body reaches me and me alone. This is something like we think we have lot of money in bank and when we realize it is nothing there as we withdrew everything already and the balance is Nil. This was beautifully explained by Gurudev. The last thought is nothing but the cumulative effect of that what we have...