Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

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...

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 ...