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Showing posts from May, 2023

Class Summary for May 23, 2023 - Self Unfoldment topics

  Summarized by :Pranavi Sreeramoju We began discussion with why do we meditate before class. It is to focus our minds, to set aside everything else so that we can contribute more to the class. It is a spiritual and mental warm up to train our minds.  The moderators reviewed the study group format so we are all on the same page. The discussion centered around the fact that this is not about the Mahabharata and what we will get out of discussing the Gita. The moderators stressed the importance of Body-Mind-Intellect (BMI) readiness to receive the powerful message of the Gita.  While the moderators are in this learning journey with everyone, active participation is required. Level one participation is showing up to class. Level two is discussing what is being covered. Highest level, level three, is self-reflection and application of the learnings in each of our lives.  Four books are recommended for reading and reflection that help understand the messages of the Gita. ...

Class Summary for May 16, 2023 - Introduction to Self Unfoldment

 Hari om, We started the class with Opening prayers, followed by a brief meditation. Then we had participants talk regarding the exercise on the following -  The Game of Life:  Choices -Think about the last time you had a difficult time making a decision.  What was the situation, who were the key players, what were your thoughts and emotions, what actions did you take.  -What were the factors that ultimately affected your decision,  what were the emotion and thoughts running through your mind. -Was it a positive experience?  if Yes or No – Why? Then we had break-out rooms to discuss and present on 6 key Self Unfoldment topics - BMI Values Karma Vasanas Gunas Sadhana. We ended the class with closing prayers. 

Class Summary for May 09, 2023 - Kick-off and Introduction

    Summarized by Bala Dhandapani : After a brief opening prayer and introduction, Swami Shantanandaji provided a brief background of Bhagavad Gita and importance of learning, understanding and practicing Gita to face different situations in our life, and to find true happiness.  The class started off with an introduction to Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.  After going through the main characters of Mahabharata, their innate characteristic traits,  Bhagavad Gita was introduced through the following format; WHO  Author: Sri Ved Vyas Important Characters:  Bhagavan Sri Krishna and Arjuna, Pandavas and Kauravas WHAT 18 Chapters, 700 Slokas,  Language:  Sanskrit, Format:  Dialogue,  parts:  4 Theme:  A life manual outlining the vision of life through Knowledge of the Self Addresses the Universal problem,  Goal of life and our identity, living our life and happiness   WHERE In the Plains of Kurukshethra (Modern day Har...