Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

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...

Summarized by   Rajesh: Recap Anu-ji & Sucheta-ji recapped notes from the previous class Prathima-ji asked about the connection between Chapter 7, last 2 verses and the beginning of the chapter 8. What happens to the causal body & the sukshima sharira during Moksha?  Stay tuned! Stories : 1. Why is it so hard to think of the Lord when we die?  A lady’s husband was very materialistic.  She appointed a caretaker named Vitala for her husband’s last days.  However, he abused the caretaker and he was calling Vitala but with an abuse preceding it.  Although he was calling Vitala, the preceding abuse was remembered. 2. The right attachment (positive) to the higher A couple had a son who was severely handicapped.  The doctors had all given up on him.  The dad, started running marathons, pushing his son in a wheelchair - who loved it.  The son passed away and the dad wanted to run marathons again but he could not.  This was an example of ...

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...