Vrindavan Bhagavad Gita Study Group

Summarized by:    A.K. Srinivasan The class started with Opening prayers, followed by pranayam and meditation. Class engaged in lively discussion of the Ram Lalla temple praana pratishta ceremony of Jan 22 at Ayodhya, UP. Many class participants watched the ceremonies live, some at home and some at Vrindavan, late into the night, and were appreciative of the significance of this shared moment in history that we witnessed.  We did a quick recap of last week's class, and proceeded to review Chapter 2, Shlokas 57, 58, 59 in detail. Bhagawan says that the one who remains unattached, under all circumstances, and neither exults in fortunate outcomes, nor is dejected when confronted by misfortune and maintains balance and equipoise, is the human who has attained the highest state of consciousness. Just as a tortoise withdraws its head and limbs into its hardened, protective shell at the first sign of danger, we should aspire to control our mind when the senses present us with st...

Summarized by:    Neelima Turaga The class started with Opening prayers, followed by pranayam and meditation. We did a quick recap of last week's class and then continued with Gurudev’s videos based on shlokas 55 and 56. Just like a child is fascinated by toys but does not care about them anymore as he grows up, as long as we are in a lower level of consciousness, we are attached to the worldly objects and pleasures. Once we can rise above the world of objects, feelings and thoughts, into the higher plane of consciousness, we start experiencing infinite bliss. And at that point the worldly pleasures don’t matter anymore. All the desires disappear. All the joys we have ever experienced have a beginning and an end. When we have the infinite source of happiness, there is no reason for us to return to temporary joys. This happens not because we are resisting or suppressing desires, but we naturally overcome or outgrow them. This kind of spiritual evolution is more sustainable...

Summarized by:    Pranavi Sreeramoju  The class began with opening prayers, proceeded to reflect on learnings from previous class, and then reviewed Chapter 2- verses 54, 55, and 56 that were the main topics of the class, and finally concluded with closing prayers.   Reflections on last class:   The example of layoffs in a company by a CEO was discussed and there was lively discussion on whether that was karma yoga. The consensus was generally yes because the CEO was performing his or her duty to the organization but the CEO needs to carry out duties in a compassionate manner.   The second point of lively discussion was how karma yoga is a prerequisite for Gnana yoga, and whether it goes the other way too. This topic required clarification of both the terms karma and Gnana. On the surface it seems like action (karma) leads to knowledge (gnana) and knowledge in turn leads to action (the analogy of how science and technology inform each other). However, gnana...

Summarized by:    Aishwarya Ramani The group discussed the below questions during the session: 01. Name ONE person whom you consider to be practicing Karma yoga (preferable in current times/era) ⁠ 02. Explain one incident/situation where, as an employee you practiced / could have practiced Karma Yoga OR Explain one incident/situation where, as a parent you practiced / could have practiced Karma Yoga Notes ● Group 2: ○ Explain one incident/situation where, as a parent you practiced / could have practiced Karma Yoga: Helping kids with SAT/ College application. Shouldn't think if with selfish motives (i.e. they will look after parents in old age). Common attachment we all develop is expectation from the kids that they will take care of it. Do it because it is our responsibility. Example of children helping parents whe guests come over was discussed. ○ Group 2 identified Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath as individuals who practice Karma Yoga ● Group 4: ○ Volunteer organizations t...

  Summarized by:    Bala  Dhandapani   The class started off with prayer, pranayama and meditation.  Summary of Slokas 47-50 from previous class was reviewed. -            Importance of continuously practicing essence of slokas 47-50 was discussed.  Abhyassa (Continuous practice) on Vairagya (detachment) and Viveka (judgement) is very important.  -            Focus on the actions and not on the goal (while performing the actions) in our day to day lives. -            Example:  if a top surgeon is operating on a loved one, the surgeon is going to keep reflecting on the outcome and will not be able to operate properly, perhaps that is the reason as to why surgeons are not allowed to operate on their loved ones.  -            We shoul...