June 2022

What is God? What is Virtue? Introduction A gauge of a prepared mind is to think about one’s own self and introspect; to think about our own strengths and weaknesses without distraction.  We are studying Prince Arjuna’s Questions to ask questions about ourselves. Review Question 25: Philosophical Question: How am I to remember You at the time of death? How are we to reflect on Lord Krishna’s words in change? Philosophical Answer: We are to reflect on these teachings in change purposefully, perpetually, and personally. Space, time, and matter are limits on our own minds.  In whatever space you are in, reflect on these teachings purposefully. Reflect on these teachings perpetually.  What matters is for these teachings to be reflected on personally. Practical Question & Answer: What is remembrance? Direction — what you remember becomes your direction. The middle section of Bhagavad Gita is focused on Tat (on Lord Krishna). Chapter 10: How He is in all (oneness is in multiplicity) Chapter 11: How multiplicity is in One Chapter 12: Prince Arjuna is that multiplicity in One (Bhakti — where one surrenders their separation to the divine) Discourse: Question 26 — What is God? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 10, Verse 17, first half of verse) “How shall I, ever-meditating, know You, O YOGIN?” Prince Arjuna wants to meditate on Bhagavan Krishna always — purposefully, perpetually, personally. He wants to know how to practice this while living. Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 10, Verse 20) “I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the heart of all beings; I am the Beginning, the Middle and also the End of all beings.” Lord Krishna tells Prince Arjuna to meditate on who you are, your spirit, because that is really meditating on Bhagavan Krishna.  But also, Bhagavan is established in the heart of all beings (humans, animals, plants, stones). We can feel this by labeling others less, so that the less we will like and dislike others, which gives us less limits.  We start to love others the way that we love our own heart. Bhagavan is the beginning, middle, and end and therefore It, the Infinite, is changeless. We should then rely on that which is never changing. Bhagavan is always with us, always in us. Practical Question & Answer: What is God? Support. God is the support. Reflection: What are practical ways to evolve from externalizing Bhagavan to internalizing His presence? Vivekji says to close your eyes more. Nama and rupa are less real then, but existence and awareness are still felt. Question 27 — What is Virtue? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 10, Verse 17, second half of verse) ”In what aspects or things, O Blessed Lord, are You to be thought of by me?” Prince Arjuna wants to deepen his understanding of Lord Krishna. He knows his names (nama) and now wants to know more about his forms (rupa) and qualities (guna). What should I see you in? Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 10, Verse 41) “Whatever it is that is glorious, prosperous or powerful in any being, know that to be a manifestation of a part of My splendor.” Lord Krishna answers that all that is extraordinary (vibhuti), virtuous (srimad), and energetic (urjita) is Bhagavan.  We should know that Bhagavan is the beginning, middle, and end and what we are seeing is only a fraction of His manifestation. The source of all greatness is Bhagavan. Practical Question & Answer: What is virtue? Humility. Lord Krishna is saying, “I am the greatest of the Great, not you.” Beauty is humility — all becomes beautiful because of humility. Reflection: What do you gain by being virtuous in a world that is driven by selfishness, competitiveness, and ego?  Vivekji says that the world is not worth “playing that game” of selfishness, competitiveness, or ego that the world tries to inflict. Q&A: How can we stay on the path of self-development and keep the growth we have started once times change and we return to normalcy? The experiences in a controlled environment are only relatively real.  It is only when we are tested in an uncontrolled environment that we come to appreciate that we need to integrate in order for the relative to become absolute.  Dismantle that fear of stepping out of our “bubble.” The satsang we receive from people or books has to be internalized to make it personal.

What is Remembrance? Introduction The closer we feel to someone, the more we can relate to their transformation. For seekers, we need to relate to each other’s confusion, like Prince Arjuna’s and eventually, to his confidence. Review The scriptural message of Bhagavad Gita is “Tat Tvam Asi” or “You are divine”. Chapters 1 to 6 focus on Tvam or you/us. Chapter 1- Summary word: Fear Questions/Answers: What is peace? Quietude What is sin? Agitation What is righteousness? Responsibility What is prioritization? Clarity (about your responsibilities) Chapter 2-Summary word: Fearless (what is means to feel confident) Questions/Answers: 5. What is grief? Confusion 6. What is efficiency? Simplicity 7. What is sacrifice? Dedication (to that which is lasting) 8. What is independence? Understanding (the nature of ABCs/ your own nature) 9. What is silence? Evolving 10. What is focus? Efficiency 11. What is discipline? Purpose Chapter 3- Summary word: Dedication (is the path from evolving from fear to fearlessness) Questions/Answers: 12. What is responsibility? Living (without expectations) 13. What is attachment? Dependency 14. What is desire? Extroversion (doing and becoming instead of knowing and being) Chapter 4-Summary word: ‘Deservership’lessness (how to systemize dedication) Questions/Answers: 15. What is reincarnation? Opportunity Chapter 5-Summary word: ‘Doershipless’ness (deepens dedication) Questions/Answers 16. What is doership? Forgetting (forgetting the presence of the Divine) Chapter 6-Summary word: Delight (start to experience a taste of fearlessness) Questions/Answers 17. What is failure? Irrelevant 18. What is opportunity? All (everything is an opportunity) The focus of Chapters 7 to 12 are on Tat or Divinity Chapter 7- Summary word: Internalize what was described/experienced in the previous chapter Chapter 8 — Summary word: Concentrate (dharana- to cross intellect and feel more) Questions/Answers 19. What is infinity? Life 20. What is Self? Spirit 21. What is work? The means to the ends 22. What is creation? Change 23. What is perception? Expression (every time you perceive, it is proof of Presence) 24. What is interaction? Oneness (all that you interact with is God) Discourse- Question 25: What is remembrance? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question (Chapter 8, verse 2, second half of verse): And how, at the time of death, are you to be known by the self-controlled? When one’s time is done, how will one who is perpetually disciplined remember what they have learned? Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer (Chapter 8 verse 5): And whosoever, leaving the body, goes forth remembering Me alone, at the time of his death, he attains My being; there is no doubt about this. When one leaves this body or whatever is binding them, if they remember Bhagavan, that person goes to/becomes Bhagavan Krishna. Remembrance of Bhagavan may start off as mechanical and infrequent but this has to evolve to being purposeful and perpetual to the point that it is natural — perpetual japa.  Whatever one thinks of last becomes their direction. There should be no doubt about this journey of moving from ‘adhiyagna’ which is the understanding/feeling that ‘God is in me’ to ‘adhyatma’ which is the understanding that “I am in God’ and therefore, there is no “I’. Practical Question and Answer: What is remembrance? Direction- live life directed to Him Reflection: If you were to die right now, would you be satisfied with how you have lived, and why or why not? Vivekji’s answer is yes because his life is revolved around going back to Bhagavan. Q&A Would not Vivekji worry about his young children? No because my only reference in life is to go back home to the Divine.  But working with dedication to the best of my ability and choiceless cheer is the path to get home.  Also, I also know our Original Parent is looking after me and will look after my kids. 2. For someone who has lost their memory at the later stages of life, would they be able to remember Bhagavan at the end of life? The brain (IQ-intelligent quotient) and the mind (EQ-emotional quotient) are different. If the brain is physically impaired due to some disease, it does not affect the mind. The mind can still revel in Bhagavan.  For example, those with special needs may have certain difficulties with functionality but they still have the ability to evolve and be happy. 3. How to shift from mechanical and infrequent remembrance to perpetual and purposeful remembrance? Three times a day — morning, noon, and evening- engage in a verb (reading, writing and reflecting) that is dedicated toward remembering your nature. Infuse our ears with japa — saying, listening and writing.

What is Creation, Perception, and Interaction? Introduction: When we study self-development, we often feel as though it is imaginary, not real, but it is. Prince Arjuna is tired of feeling that his infinite potential is imaginary- he wants it to be his reality. The goal is to go from confusion to contentment Review: Question 19 Philosophical question: What is Brahman? Answer — Brahman is all Practical Question: What is Infinity? Answer — Life. Because of life, there is living Question 20 Philosophical Question: What is Adhyatma? Answer — What you are, your essence Practical question: What is Self? Answer — Spirit, and the nature of the spirit is joy. Question 21: Philosophical question: What is Karma? Answer — Growth Practical Question: What is work? Answer — The means to what you need. Discourse: Question 22 and 23 (Ch.8, V.1) What is Adhibhuta? Prince Arjuna is coming to love Bhagavan Krishna more, and wants to know more of what He has to say. So he shifts to inquiring about that which is closer, not further away. Answer 22 and 23: Ch.8, V.4 Adhibhuta is that which is kshara (perishable, ever-changing). Acharya Sankara describes it as that which is born- the elements, or prakriti. While Brahman is akshara (unchanging) and para (higher), Adhibhuta is kshara (everchanging) and apara (lower).  That which is born will also die. The grosser an entity is, the faster it will die. So, don’t depend on that which is gross, or ever-changing, like articles, beings and circumstances, because it will die! What is Adhidaiva? What is within me? Adhidaiva is purusha. Acharya Sankara describes purusha as that which fills, or completeness. We know that names are on top of forms, forms are on top of presence.  So without presence, there are no names or forms. The present is different from presence: present is still a condition of time, whereas presence is independent of time. Existence, Awareness, Joy do not need time. Question 24 (Ch.8, V.2) Who is living inside this body? What and who is this Adhiyajna? Answer (Ch.8, V.4) You (Prince Arjuna) are great, and what lives inside you is ME (Bhagavan Krishna). Acharya Sankara says that the purpose of this body is to know who is living inside it.  We have yet to feel the longing, the mumukshutva, that what we are learning is not imaginary.  In Vedanta, yajna is defined as Yajnovai Vishnu: Yajna is Bhagavan. The real yajna is service, and when we dedicate our life to serving, we have the right relationship with this body. Summary: Question 22 Philosophical question: What is adhibhuta? Answer — Names on top of forms Practical Question: What is creation? Answer — Change Reflection: How does recognizing the temporary nature of ABCs bring you closer to Bhagavan?  If my nature is not change, all that is changing (external ABCs) is not who I am. Question 23: Philosophical question: What is adhidaiva? Answer — Presence Practical Question: What is perception? Answer — Expression Reflection: How will you evolve from being a slave to your senses to a master of your mind?  As you get older, you learn less from your ears and more from your eyes. The solution, then, is to see less. Question 24: Philosophical Question: What is adhiyajna? Answer — God. Practical Question: What is Interaction? Answer — Oneness Reflection: How would the awareness that you are God playing the role of a human change your life?  Once we realize that we are God, we feel complete, with no need for anything else. In essence, we become the drig (seer) instead of the drishya (seen). See more. Group Reflection: Our attachment to ABCs reinforces our temporary nature. Instead we must recognize that our nature is infinite.  For example, as a child we feel like our parents will be there forever, but eventually we lose them too.  Realizing that our higher, true nature is unaffected by life’s ups and down, we can constantly remember God.  Additionally, the more you feel you are an individual, and not as a member of a larger community, the harder it will become to let go of ABCs. Individual reflection: God pervades creation as the cause, not the effect. All that can be experienced is creation.  God pervades through creation like a thread through a string of pearls, and we are those pearls- we can’t see what inside of us.  Interestingly, the Upanishads contain 64 creation theories, the highest of which states that there is no creation. Q&A 1. How can reflecting on how we currently live our life give insight into our vision? It’s more sustainable to infuse what you normally do with meaning. Meaning means purity of mind, so everything you do must purify your mind, and let go of anything that doesn’t contribute to this purpose.  If you don’t feel like you will be enlightened in this life, then this is a waste of your life. 2. What is purity of mind? There are 3 gauges of purity: when the mind becomes more balanced, more focused and more reflective. 3. Is Karma Yoga the only method to give up your vasanas? Karma Yoga is the initial step, but the process must be deeper. Light vasanas can be exhausted by experiences.  Medium vasanas can be exhausted by substitution with a higher quality. Heavy vasanas must be let go completely. When you’re mind is full and deeply concentrated on what you’re doing, you never compare yourself to others.

What is Infinity, Self, Work? Introduction: Sadhana dhama moksha kara dhwara means the cause for someone to be enlightened. Sadhana dhama is the locus for one to engage in discipline.  Moksha kara dhwara is the cause for one to get enlightened. This teaching is describing our equipment, our BMI. This equipment allows us to practice discipline and it is what will direct us to enlightenment.  If we do not use the BMI well, they become liabilities, for example the mind gets agitated and the body gets older. If we use the BMI well, the intellect becomes still, the mind becomes focused and then, they become an asset.  The Living The Gita course is to help us live in such a way that everything we are becomes an asset and not a liability. Do not compartmentalize. This is living the Gita. You are always living. Review: Question 17 Prince Arjuna asks Bhagavan Krishna ‘What happens if I am seeking but I do not reach the sought’? Bhagavan Krishna answers — When you seek, the results of seeking are immediate (happy today) and mediate (tomorrow you’ll be happier too).  So keep striving. Do not be afraid or dejected by the state of the body. Seeking is done by the mind and intellect. Practical question: What is failure? Answer — Irrelevant. For a seeker there is no failure. Question 18 Prince Arjuna brings in more fear in his question that if he doesn’t reach what he is seeking, he will be lost.  Bhagavan Krishna says that those who die and are rajasic are born into a home to encourage them to be sattvic.  Those who are already sattvic and die will be born into a home to help them get past sattva. It will allow them to be gunatitaha What is opportunity? Answer — All. All is opportunity. Gita is divided into 3 sections.  Chapter 1 to 6 focuses on TVAM. That is you. Historically, this is Prince Arjuna. This is your present.  Chapter 7 to 12 focuses on TAT. That is Bhagavan Krishna. That is your potential i.e. your future.  Chapter 13 to 18 focuses on ASI. How to make that transition from the present potential to future potential, from ordinary to extraordinary potential. Another framework of the Gita is from Madhusudhana Sarasvati. Chapter 1 to 6 focuses on karma. The next 6 chapters focus on bhakti and the last 6 chapters focus on nyana. Discourse Question 19 and 20 (Ch 8, V.1) What is that Brahman? What is that Adhyatma? What is ‘action’? O best among men, what is declared to be the Adhibhuta? And what is Adhidaiva said to be? Prince Arjuna asks ‘What is Brahman and what is Atma’? He wants to know more because he loves Bhagavan Krishna and the teachings more. You only want to know more of what you love more. Bhagavan Krishna answers (Chp 8, V3): Brahman is Imperishable, The Supreme. His essential nature is called Self- knowledge Brahman comes from the base Brahatvath which means Bigness. Big is used to qualify something else.  Here it is just Bigness. It is not qualified, i.e. it is that which is infinite. Brahman is infinite. Brahman is Akshara.  Shara means that which is changing or dying. Akshara is unchanging and undying. Another meaning for Brahman is Kutastha which means anvil.  It is the substratum and support for everything else that changes and dies. Therefore, Brahman is Aksharam i.e. that which is Infinite, is unchanging, is undying and is the support for all that is changing and dying.  Para means more. More than anything that we can conceive of is Brahman. Whatever I can think about is a thought and is dependent on the light to illuminate that thought. When you start to feel that there is more to what you are doing than what you are doing.  There is more to who you are than who you are today. There is more to you than that. This is mumukshutvam. This is the urge to do and be more but not in a secular way rather about being happy. What is Atma? The adyatma is known as Svabhava. Bhava is feeling. Sva is the feeling of ‘I’. We have the feeling of I.  We are the locus and everything else is a reference to this locus. Whatever feeling you have that establishes you, that is what Atma is. This feeling is unchanging. This deep established feeling is not different from what you felt yesterday, feel today or will feel tomorrow.  The same sense will not change. Brahman is Unchanging. Atma is unchanging. Therefore Brahman = Atma. Question 21 Prince Arjuna asks “Kim karma purushottama’. He is describing Bhagavan Krishna as the best among men but Purushottama is another name for Brahman/Atman. Prince Arjuna’s question is how can he be Brahman/Atman when Bhagavan Krishna is Brahman. The question is What is Karma? Bhagavan Krishna’s answer is that the creative force that causes beings to spring forth into manifestation is called ‘work’. For humans and for creation what causes one to grow and be uplifted is this special feeling which is karma. Work is the means to the ends.  Prince Arjuna wants to be Brahman and Bhagavan Krishna answers work to be Brahman. Your work is your responsibility and the means to the ends.  Can be approached in 2 ways. Sarga is that which is ordinary. Visarga is extraordinary. When you want enlightenment, that is sarga. When you need enlightenment that is visarga.  One gets to evolve from wanting enlightenment to needing enlightenment through work.  The deeper your purpose, the deeper your pull will be. Working or serving is training to need enlightenment.  Everything you do, needs to have the feeling to serve and to rub out your ego and serve others.  If you interact with and visualize everyone as ‘sick’, you will give more of yourself, be more gentle, and be more kind to them.  You will identify and love more and can develop virtues this way. Summary Question

What is Failure? What is Opportunity? Introduction and Review Blessed with a mantra from Rishi Durvasa, Mother Kunti evoked Surya Devatha and was given as the child with golden earrings, Karna.  Karna grew up with foster parents and only learned of his true parentage right before the war. However, since Karna identified with the Kauravas, he fought the war against the Pandavas. It was too hard to unlearn that he wasn’t a Kaurava because he was too attached to being a Kaurava. If he wasn’t as attached, it would be easier to unlearn and internalize knowledge. We are Prince Arjuna, in the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita, he is confused but he leaves the field content and free.  If we don’t feel that, we are too attached to our name and form and unlearning becomes impossible. In Chapter 5, Prince Arjuna asks, “As I act selflessly, what should I focus on?” Lord Krishna responds that you must: Let go of deservership (prasada-buddhi). Whatever comes, accept this cheerfully. How do you live with less deservership? By having less likes and dislikes. Then, let go of doership (arpana-buddhi). Be more engaged in what you are doing, so you’re not concerned with the idea of who is doing. How do you practice having less doership? By making less excuses. Question 16) What is doership? Forgetfulness. Discourse 17) Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 6, Verse 37) “When a man, though possessed of faith, is unable to control himself and his mind wanders away from YOGA, to what end does he, having failed to attain perfection in YOGA go, O Krishna?” For those who are good people, incompleteness is when they do that which is wrong. For great people, incompleteness is when they compromise on what they know is right. 17) Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 6, Verse 40) “O Partha, neither in this world, nor in the next world is there destruction for him; none, verily, who strives to be good, O My son, ever comes to grief.” For one who feels like their journey is incomplete, there is no incompleteness — not now, or in the future; not in this lifetime, nor the next. Any greatness you are engaged in is not wasted.  The fruits, or results, of our actions are both in the future and in the present. Every day that we practice enlightenment, we are enlightening ourselves.  Therefore, don’t postpone your happiness! Whatever you want to become, be that right now. Nothing is destroyed. All that the mind has learned, all the ways that the mind has grown continues. We can only move forward.  One who is engaged in kalyana (evoking egolessness) is someone who practices and will therefore become more courageous. If one is striving, one will never devolve. Keep moving forward. Prince Arjuna asks: If my journey is incomplete, what will happen to me? Lord Krishna shares: there is no incompleteness. This is a journey. 17) Practical Question and Answer: What is failure? Irrelevant. Failure in the secular may be relevant, but in the sacred world, failure is irrelevant. Reflection: How have you progressed on the path of self-development compared to who you were one, five, or even ten years ago? Each of us knows who we were and who we are now. As one continues to engage in perpetual betterment, we become a better person. 18) Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 6, Verse 38) “Fallen from both, does he not, O mighty-armed, perish like a rent cloud, supportless and deluded in the path of BRAHMAN?” If one is insincere in this journey, isn’t one like a piece of cloud, blown away by the wind? 18) Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 6, Verse 41) “Having attained to the worlds of the righteous, andhaving dwelt there for everlasting (long) years, he who had fallen from YOGA is born again in the house of the pure and the wealthy.” Just as there is no gain without pain, there is no pain without gain! As you are engaged in goodness and responsibility, you are gaining — that is punya (purification of the inner world). If you engage in perpetual betterment today, you will sleep better tonight. For one who has not reached enlightenment but is engaged in dharma, when the body dies, they are born in a home that is prosperous and pure. For those who are more evolved, they are born into a home where the people around them live by their intellects, not by their minds. That home’s purpose is for peace. Prince Arjuna asks: If one is insincere, where will one be born? Lord Krishna shares: For one who is engaged in Yoga, they are not insincere! They will be born into the home that is best for their evolution. 18) Practical Question and Answer: What is opportunity? All. All that has happened to you, is happening to you, will happen to you, people coming into your life and leaving your life — all are an opportunity to follow the path of yoga. Reflection: How is your current life your optimal circumstance for Self-realization? Grow out of being an escapist and into an embrace-ist. Q&A: Is it possible to let go of doership in selfish actions? The word “selfish” is synonymous with doership. You cannot be engaged in arpana-buddhi and be selfish at the same time. 2. What are practical tips to not be afraid of failure? The absolute response is to know your nature is Joy. You only fear that which is different: we are not afraid of failure, but of the sorrow that comes with failure.  When you know our nature is Joy, then we are not afraid of anything because nothing can bring us sorrow. Practically: prepare, reflect (make whatever you’re going to do sacred, as your dharma), engage (enjoy!), and practice (reconcile, learn from the experience).

What is Doership? Introduction Amar Chitra Katha on Gita shows us how relatable Prince Arjuna is because he is demonstrating that although he knows Gita, he is unable to live this.  This course is helping us come out of instinct and come into intention. Our instinct is that everything we are experiencing is important but it is not.  The Gita is a fuel to our intellect to filter out the important from the unimportant and to inquire which then helps us grow from Knowing the Gita to Living the Gita. In Chapter 1, Prince Arjuna asks Lord Krishna “Why should I act?” In Chapter 2, Lord Krishna answers “These are not actions, these are responsibilities. And responsibilities are a means to contentment” In Chapter 3, Prince Arjuna asks “Why do I have to go through these responsibilities?” In Chapter 4, Lord Krishna answers “I am Divine, I am the Creator”. How can you have deservership when I am the Creator? The focus of Chapter 4 is on selflessness with an emphasis on letting go of deservership. Discourse Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question (Chapter 5, verse 1): Renunciation-of-actions, O Krishna, You praise and, again YOGA-performance of actions. Tell me conclusively that which is the better of the two. Do I let go of doership or deservership while performing actions? Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer (Chapter 5, verse 2): Renunciation of action and YOGA-of-action both lead to the highest bliss; but of the two, YOGA-of-action is superior to the renunciation of action. One who follows sanyasa yoga (renunciation of action) is a full-time seeker who engages in responsibilities with an emphasis on letting go of doership.  One who follows karma yoga (yoga of action) is a part-time seeker who engages in responsibility with the emphasis on letting go of deservership. Both practices will lead to nishreya (peace) because both purify the mind.  For Arjuna (and for all of us who are part-time seekers), start with karma yoga (let go of deservership).  In karma yoga, there is no space for immoral or indulgent actions. With sincere and non-compromising practice of karma yoga, one will naturally be led to sanyasa yoga (letting go of doership).  If one’s level of vairagya (or independence) is high, sanyasa yoga will become the focus. The first step toward sanyasa yoga is karma yoga — letting go of likes and dislikes in which there are no mental or verbal complaints.  Once deservership is addressed and checked, one can work on letting go of doership. How should one engage in their responsibilities? By letting go of likes and dislikes. Live in a more meaningful way. Practical Question and Answer: What is doership? Forgetfulness of the presence of the Divine. Reflection: What are the dangers of misunderstanding “renunciation” to mean giving up your responsibilities, as opposed to giving up your sense of doership? To give up your responsibilities is suppression and is an external “show” which will not lead to growth. To give up your sense of doership is sublimation and is internal which will lead to growth. Q & A How to stand up to others for dharma to create an impact? There is no rule of thumb. Every circumstance is different which is why it is critical to know yourself. You will know if you are strong enough to stand up to others.  If you are strong enough, you can stand up for what is right keeping in mind you do not control others and they must be receptive to what you are sharing. Ultimately, Bhagavan is there and looking after all. 2. Why do we say Ravana is bad when all that is happening is Bhagavan Rama’s leela (He is in control)? We externalize right and wrong which helps us externalize or ”see” what is happening inside of us. It is similar to worshipping a murti but then evolving to feeling that divinity inside of us.  Deeper than this is to understand that all this IS Bhagavan’s leela and then we start to let go of doership. This helps one to surrender. 3. How to identify one’s responsibilities? Everyone’s singular responsibility is to purify the mind. There is no other responsibility.  All that you do will become meaningful as you learn to grow out of deservership and doership. Whatever comes to you will be prasada buddhi and you will embrace that as your responsibility.  Keep all other worldly responsibilities simple (school, career, etc). Treat family as an internal ashram that is continually testing you and giving you the opportunity to grow so you can purify your mind.

What is Reincarnation? Introduction Sri Ramakrishna has taught that whatever you have done, whatever you are doing and whatever you will do that is not for peace is a 0. You have accumulated 0 and the future will be no different.  Sri Ramakrishna’s emphasis is Be Peaceful. Fill yourself with peace, set up and establish the 1 that 1 Aspiration, Oneness. Then, whatever you do even if 0 will come after that 1; it will become 10, 100, 1000 and you keep growing from there.  Prince Arjuna felt this. That his life thus far he has accumulated 0s and wants to establish that 1. We also feel this. This is the reason for our relationship with Vedanta.  We can see what Prince Arjuna did in hindsight. This is to be our foresight. By studying how he changed, we can change too. The Bhagavad Gita generally has 2 messages. There are many commentaries. One of the messages is towards Abhyudaya.  This is how to act. What to do. What this creates in life is prosperity. The 2nd message is known as Nihshreyasa. Nihshreyasa is how to think. It is not what to do but rather what to be.  What to be is inside and leads one to Peace. Whatever you want in your life and whatever message you can relate to, you will practice at that level.  For those who are deeper, to tune in to Nihshreyasa you must study the Gita in multiple directions. The trajectory prescribed is as follows: (i) Study the theme of A chapter (doesn’t matter which chapter). (ii) Then go deeper and study all the chapters. (iii) Next direction of study is to look into your own framework w/in Bhagavad Gita. Explored this in the Applied Gita course on parenting, on deciding, our own framework. (iv) Next direction is to take up a framework from a personality or intrinsic to Bhagavad Gita. That is what we are doing in this course. We are taking up Prince Arjuna’s framework, not our own. These are his questions. (v) Fifth direction is to study the theme of every verse. Learning is everlasting. Those who want more than prosperity, this the trajectory of your study Theme of Chapter 1 is Fear. Prince Arjuna asks the basics of What to do. Bhagavan Krishna responds as sin and merit is within you. It is not outside; it is in your own mind space. 4 questions from Chapter 1: What is Peace? Quietude What is Sin? Agitation What is righteousness? Responsibility What prioritization? Clarity Theme of Chapter 2 is Fearlessness. Prince Arjuna’s questions revolve around ‘How does a confident person live?’ “How do they think?” “How do they speak?” Bhagavan Krishna’s answer is that they are deep. They are not tuned into prosperity. They are tuned into peace. What is grief? Confusion What is efficiency? Simplicity What is sacrifice? Dedication What is independence? Understanding What is silence? Evolving What is focus? Efficiency What is discipline? Purpose. Dynamics was Minute to Mind management. Bring purpose into our lives. Theme of chapter 3 is selflessness. Why selflessness? We need a path from fear to fearlessness.  Prince Arjuna asks ‘What is my path?. I know I am afraid. You have shown me how to not be afraid.” Bhagavan Krishna’s answer is Serve. Right now you are serving yourself. You fear because you are selfish. If you serve, you will grow out of the fear What is responsibility? Living What is attachment? Dependency What is desire? Extroversion. Being an extrovert is a sign of one who has desires. Dynamics we engaged in was unitasking. Those who are distracted tend to be selfish and nothing is bringing them direction.  Those who are focused have a direction. Serving yourself, you will always be distracted as that is not fulfilling. Serving community, you will be more focused as it is more fulfilling Theme of chapter 4 is ‘deservershiplessness’. Selfishness is expressed in 2 ways Doership — Kartritvam. Deservership — Bhoktritvam Bhagavan Krishna has told Prince Arjuna if he wants to grow out of fear — be selfless. Prince Arjuna’s question is how do I systematically be selfless?  I know that is my intention. As you engage in your serving, let go of deservership. This is a Game changer. A force that destroys one’s own peace of mind is the thought of I deserve recognition, inclusion, appreciation. Maybe you do but you do not control others.  This is how you become more selfless, more fearless. Bhagavan Krishna tells Prince Arjuna to grow out of a sense of deserving. Discourse: Question 15: What is Reincarnation Prince Arjuna’s Question: Chapter 4, Verse 4 : Later was your birth, and prior was the birth of Vivasvan (Sun); how am I to understand that You taught this YOGA in the beginning? Prince Arjuna asks ‘Your birth was after the birth of the Sun’. Yet you have shared that you taught the Sun what you are teaching me.  Bhagavan Krishna teaching in chapter 2 and 3 have been taught to the Sun for two reasons (i) in theology, the sun is the center of the Universe and (2) Bhagavan Rama’s name is associated with the Sun. On Prince Arjuna’s flag is Hanuman-ji. Bhagavan Krishna is secretly sharing that he is Bhagavan Rama. This question shows that Prince Arjuna’s mind is still small. He is looking at technicality.  Prince Arjuna wants to have faith in Bhagavan Krishna. When someone is exaggerating, you may call them out. Here, Prince Arjuna wants clarity. Chapter 4 is the most important section for Sanatana Dharma.  Many pillars of Sanata Dharma are in this chapter. This chapter is like Purana. Pura means Pura eva Nama. Pura means old yet new. Bhagvan Krishna’s answer: Chapter 4 Verse 5: Many births of Mine have passed as well as yours, O Arjuna; I know them all but you know them not, O Parantapa (scorcher of foes). Bhagavan Krishna says ‘I have been born again and again and again’. Bhagavan Krishna doesn’t reincarnate; He incarnates.

What is Attachment? What is Desire? In every circumstance, we have an option to follow preya, which is unproductive to our evolution, or shreya, which is productive to our evolution (independent joy). The purpose of this course is to guide us to choose shreya. Review: Question 12: Philosophical Question: Why should I act? Answer: To help the world. Doing and knowing are not mutually exclusive. The more you do, the more you come to know about your nature. Seva is the means to enlightenment, and the expression of enlightenment.  The more intentional we are, the more integration there is between our intellect, mind and body. In Kathopanishad, Nachiketa prays for his family, his community, and then divinity of self. Learn to grow your strengths and expand your love. Practical Question: What is responsibility? Answer: Living. Living never ends. Work never ends. We will brood less. When we are working, we are immersed in what we are doing and won’t have anxiety about tomorrow. Discourse: Question 13 Prince Arjuna’s Question: Chapter 3, Verse 2 “With this apparently perplexing speech you confuse, as it were, my understanding; therefore, tell me that ONE way by which, I, for certain, may attain the Highest.” Prince Arjuna asks definitively what path he must follow. How should one act? This indicates that Prince Arjuna’s mind is still not quiet enough, but he has immense perseverance. Bhagavan Krishna’s Answer: Chapter 3, Verse 19 “Therefore, always perform actions which should be done, without attachment; for, by performing action without attachment, man attains the Supreme.” As you act, act in a detached way. We often confuse attachment as love. In our relationships with others, we tend to have objective and subjective expectations.  We need to let go of the subjective expectations. If unattached, then unaffected by likes and dislikes. Don’t just work, but do the right work. Work hard and work smart, by always keeping in mind: “What would the Wise do?”. How do you know when you reach the highest gain? When you no longer seek gain. Philosophical Question: What path should I follow Philosophical Answer: Karma Yoga (Intention Path) Practical Question: What is attachment? Practical Answer: Dependency. Dependent on others completing us (being insecure). We can drop this attachment by remembering that all of us are limited. If all are limited, we will stop using others as reference. Reflection: Why is it important to take a systematic approach towards self-development in your own life? Self-development is an immense investment, that it’s important to make sure that you are doing it the right way. Question 14: Prince Arjuna’s Question, Chapter 3 Verse 36: “But, impelled by what does man commit sin, though against his wishes, O Varshneya, constrained, as it were, by force?” Prince Arjuna is frustrated that he is not following what is right, even when he knows what the right path is. Bhagavan Krishna’s Answer, Chapter 3 Verse 37: “It is desire, it is anger born of the ‘active’, all-devouring, all-sinful;know this as the foe here (in this world).” Bhagavan explains that Prince Arjuna is faltering because he is feeling incomplete and seeking completeness in an extroverted way.  Desire (kama) and Anger (krodha) are expressions of rajas, or preya– the unproductive and impulsive path. Desire and anger come in like a tornado and cause destruction (agitation).  For Prince Arjuna, his enemies are not the Kauravas, but rather, his desire and anger. For one who has no internal enemies, they have no external enemies either. Philosophical Question: Why am I faltering? Philosophical Answer: Your nature is stronger than you are trying. Practical Question: What is desire? Practical Answer: Extroversion. How to put an end to extroversion? Have high quality friends, and engage in high quality input. Reflection: Why do you use finite articles, beings, and circumstances to try and complete yourself in an infinite way? Because we don’t know the nature of the finite, nor the nature of the infinite. Group Reflection: In everything we do, we need the patience to engage in a step-by-step approach in order to gain something.  If we don’t have that patience, we can end up feeling dejected and confused when we don’t understand what is going on.  Planning is crucial for self-development. It’s more important to start small and apply what we’ve learned rather than acquiring all the knowledge without pausing to understand the material. We suffer from a vasana known as the shastra vasana, where we want to know more without actually feeling more. If we don’t practice, we are not acting in a systematic way. Individual Reflection: Attachment is I + I want. It is formed by the manifestation of vasanas into desire, which then manifest into actions and thoughts. When no other thought can be entertained in the mind, that attachment has evolved into an obsession.  How do we act in the world without forming attachments? Through karma yoga: perform actions in the world as offering to God (isvara arpana buddhi) while accepting the results as they come (prasada buddhi). When we remove the ego, or the I, there is no I want, hence no attachment. Q&A How to prevent emotional burnout during seva? Know your strengths, and slowly build them to expand to serving more people.  Also, recognize that it is not you who is serving, but that you are an ambassador or instrument of Bhagavan, which will give you more strength.  The quieter your mind, the more you have to give- the more sadhana you do, the more seva you can do. 2. Are emotions considered to be bad in Vedanta? We tend to make emotions more real than what they are- thoughts. Challenge yourself to recognize what type of thoughts your emotions are. 3. If everything (food, body, thoughts) is Brahman, where is free will? In infinity, there is no becoming, which is associated with free will. In being, there is no choosing, no free will.  At the end of Bhagavad Gita, Prince Arjuna declares that he is going to do what Bhagavan wants him to do. Bhagavan’s leela is God’s will.

What is Responsibility? All of us are always riding waves of sadness. At a body level: aging and dying. At a breath level: hunger and thirst. At a mind Level: confusion and sorrow.  These are comprehensive waves at different levels so we need a comprehensive cure for this disease.  The comprehensive cure is living the Bhagavad Gita. Review Question 10: Philosophical Question: How does the Enlightened personality sit? Answer: With contentment; thoughts, words, and actions are integrated and there is no hypocrisy. Practical Question: What is focus? Answer: Efficiency. Question 11: Philosophical Question: How does the Enlightened personality walk? Answer: They walk with contentment. They direct their bodies; they are rishikesha — master of the senses. You know you practice this if you do not overthink. Practical Question: What is discipline? Answer: Purpose. Discourse Question 12: Prince Arjuna’s Question: Chapter 3, Verse 1 “If it be thought by you that ‘knowledge’ is superior to ‘action,’ O Janardana, why then, do you, O Keshava, engage me in this terrible action?” Prince Arjuna wonders, after emphasizing the importance of knowing the spirit, why Bhagavan Krishna is encouraging Arjuna to engage in doing (karma) rather than knowing (jnana). Bhagavan Krishna’s Answer: Chapter 3, Verse 20 “Janaka and others attained Perfection verily thought action alone; even with a view to protecting the masses you should perform action.” By acting, one can develop inner power, or peace. Actions are the most universal and the most simple.  We just need to have the intention in our actions for peace.  Bhagavan Krishna references King Janaka, who despite his many responsibilities still lived with peace. Our intentions behind our actions should be to help others, bringing the world together.  Why should you help others? To engage in tapa: to expand our comfort zones.  Not only do we develop less selfishness, but also more quietude that benefits both the helped and the helper.  If our intention in all that we do is seva (service), this intention will flow into our actions. If our intentions are towards peace, our inner doer (the memory, mind, intellect, and ego) becomes purer. There is less of a sense of “I am the doer” and “I am the deserver.” Now, we can listen to the scripture and understand that Bhagavan Krishna is the real doer. Philosophical Question: Why should I act? Answer: This will lead you to happiness. Practical Question: What is responsibility? Answer: Living. When we are truly living, there are no expectations. Reflection:When your responsibilities (personal or professional) require doing something unpleasant, how can you overcome your hesitation? We want our goals to be singular or simplified. Hesitation is a test or a warning sign that our likes or dislikes are there, or our ego is there. It reminds us to just do the responsibility. Q & A: In just being, do you have to change anything about yourself? No! Being is the best. In being, in existence and awareness, there is no changing. Creation is looking after the Enlightened one, as instructed by the Creator. 2. What can a family do together to evolve? Encourage everyone to be a morning family when everyone is quieter. Reading time together (everyone can read different books). One meal together with no devices Go outside together (family walk, family hike, etc.) 3. How can personal and professional goals be singular? We tend to have multiple goals in our life (family goals, professional goals, personal goals). Those goals tend to be shallow. If you have a deep goal, you can only have 1 deep goal — enlightenment. We should only have a personal goal: to be the divine. This can be achieved through our profession, family, etc. 4. How do you forgive quickly? The best forgiveness is not even being offended. This is our aspiration. Sattvic way: you forgive because you are the benefactor. You are freer. Rajasic way: you forgive because you want to be forgiven. This is transactional. Tamasic way: You say you forgive, but you don’t feel that way.   Not every disagreement or argument needs to be resolved; instead, just press reset and try again later. 5. In engaging in family time or family evolution, do we not then have the expectation for them to actually do that? If two people are on the path of evolution, it’s easy. If only one person is on the path of evolution, it’s harder but it’s actually better for you to practice non-expectation and acceptance.   Your evolution is to not have expectations. Our responsibility is to live without worrying about the fruits. 6. Does karma yoga mean you should be a better planner? Is it encouraging us to be better planners? Yes. In karma yoga, the focus is on the intention, not the action.   If you are organized, then you have the bandwidth to focus on the intention of those actions because those actions are already planned.   The stronger your fundamentals are, the more creativity you can have.

What is Focus? What is Discipline? Our course, Living the Gita, is an experiment. The narrative of Bhagavad Gita tends to be from the perspective of Lord Krishna but we are taking a different approach by studying from Prince Arjuna’s perspective. Typically when we study Vedanta, the teacher shares first and then the students share. However, in this course, the students share first through the group discussions and individual reflections. Then, the teacher shares and provides clarity. Our class consists of diverse students. Some are studying to attain moksha and some for dharma. A quote from Jim Rohn “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” Before the Gita, Prince Arjuna wanted Bhagavan Krishna because he was comfortable with Him. At the end of Bhagavad Gita, Prince Arjuna wanted Bhagavan Krishna because He is independent joy. We, too, want Bhagavan Krishna because we deeply feel the need to be independently joyous. Review Question 8 Philosophical Question: How does one who is Enlightened think? Answer: They are content Practical Question: What is independence? Answer: Understanding. Understanding that articles, beings and circumstances are undependable. Through understanding that one’s own nature is dependable, one becomes independent. We can live this by being an active observer of all that is changing and undependable around us and move towards being more independent. Reflection: What are some inner adjustments you can make to become more independent of the articles, beings, and circumstances in your life? Be a giver; by giving, there is no time and effort to think about getting from that which is undependable. Question 9 Philosophical Question: How does one who is Enlightened speak? Answer: They speak with contentment Practical Question: What is silence? Answer: Evolving. Becoming more quiet. Such a person feels secure so does not resort to talking so much and does not use social media as their default. We can start by speaking less about worldly matters such as position, possessions and pleasures. Reflection: What are tangible measures you can take to think before you speak? By realizing that every word that is spoken may harm someone and leave a scar forever. This makes one so much more careful before speaking. Discourse Question 10 Prince Arjuna’s Question: Chapter 2, Verse 54: “What, O Keshava, is the description of him who has steady Wisdom and who is merged in the Superconscious state? How does one of steady Wisdom speak, how does he sit, how does he walk?” Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: How does one who is Enlightened sit? Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: Chapter 2, Verse 61: “Having restrained them all, He should sit steadfast, intent on Me; His Wisdom is steady, whose senses are under control.” One who is Enlightened sits in contentment. This person’s senses/body are well-controlled and well-directed by the intellect. The thoughts, words, and actions are controlled because they are all aligned to an ideal and one is integrated. Such a person sits with only the Creator or joy on their mind. For us, we can start our day with loving the Creator with a plan to be more cheerful and content. We need to follow vashitvam (lead/control [our senses/body and mind] with love). We have to love what we are being trained in. The framework below describes what we are being trained in and what we should love during different phases of life based on age: Between 0 and 23 years old, training one to be committed (vrata), Between 24 and 47 years old, training one to be responsible (kriya) Between 48 and 59 years old, training one to serve selflessly (seva) Between 60 and 72 years old, training one to control senses, body, and mind (indriyani) If trained in all of these, one will be Enlightened! Practical Question and Answer: What is focus? Efficiency. When one appreciates their responsibility, the most efficient way to fulfill them is by unitasking. Happiness lies in absorption of the work, so you can do anything and be happy. Reflection: In what ways do you allow yourself to be distracted? Vivekji shared by rewarding sattvic efforts. We lose our guard when we reward ourselves after doing good work and are susceptible to devolving. When we reward ourselves, we lose focus. Question 11 Prince Arjuna’s Question: Chapter 2, Verse 54: “What, O Keshava, is the description of him who has steady Wisdom and who is merged in the Superconscious state? How does one of steady Wisdom speak, how does he sit, how does he walk?” Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: How does one who is Enlightened walk? With these various questions that Prince Arjuna is asking, it shows that, at this point, his understanding of one who is Enlightened is intellectual and extrovert. He has not yet understood that anything this person does is out of fulfillment not for fulfillment. Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: Chapter 2, Verse 64: “But the self-controlled man moving among objects, with his senses under restraint, and free from both attraction and repulsion, attains peace.” One who is Enlightened is freed from likes and dislikes. With every experience, we judge and that deepens to putting labels of like or dislike on that experience. Labels then make us feel bad. Do not be so serious with your judgments; just as easily as they come, let them easily go also. Our equipment is designed to be extrovert or outward looking. But, wherever one who is Enlightened goes, they are content because they are directed by the intellect and have full control. They direct themselves within; the body directs the mind which is directed by a strong intellect. One has to direct oneself by oneself. Practical Question and Answer: What is discipline? Purpose. One who has purpose is naturally disciplined and does not get pushed around by context because of their strong content. Reflection: In what ways do your likes and dislikes prevent you from being happy? Based on our judgments and labels, we anticipate similar future experiences as being negative and avoid them. Q & A: Why does Arjuna have