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What is Evolution? What is Faith? Introduction and Review: The more we engage with brahmavidya, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the deeper our connection with the knowledge and with Prince Arjuna becomes.  In Chapter 13, Prince Arjuna’s questions center on the differences between the lower and the higher (prakriti and purusha, kshetra and kshetrajna, jnana and Jneya).  In chapter 14, Prince Arjuna is asking specifically about the lower, so as to avoid succumbing to such environments o   The one who does not succumb to the lower is the one who is transcendental, neither engaging with the lower or the higher but beyond such dimensions. They live in a balanced way – What is Temperament? Transcendence –  What is Transcendence? Foundational Learn to use our equipments, rather than be used by the equipments..  And when we realize that the finite is ever changing, we will learn to adapt and accept change and focus on that which is foundational/essential Discourse: Question 39 (Chapter 14, Verse 21): How does one go beyond the three gunas? Answer 39 (Chapter 14, Verse 26): The one who lives for Me (Bhagavan) with unshakeable, unswerving and unconditional devotion is free from the lower, and will be Brahman. Where there is Brahman, there is no Maya. The implication of this is to learn to live for the infinite/long-term, not the short-term.    Bhakti is framed by 9 steps, the last 3 of which are: –          Feel as though one is dasa (servant) to God –          Feel as though one is sakha (friend) to God –          Feel a oneness with God Practical Question: What is Evolution?  Practical Answer: Absorption- be absorbed in the Divine. Reflection: In Evolving to purity (sattva), how can you use tamas and rajas in your personality constructively? We cannot automatically grow out of tamas and rajas, but we can use the existence of the two to motivate us to strive for sattva. The focus of Chapter 14 is LIMITS, focusing on the gunas The focus of Chapter 15 is LIMITLESSNESS, focusing on the purusha uttama The focus of Chapter 16 is LIFESTYLE, focusing on characteristics of devas and asuras The focus of Chapter i17 is LIKENESS, focusing on the vasanas Question.40 (Chapter 17, Verse 1): What if one is ignorant of the details of the scriptures, but has knowledge of the essence? Can they evolve?  Answer.40 (Chapter 17, Verse 3): The differences in our nature is derived from one’s shraddha (faith in God), and our personality type determines what is important to one. In essence, you are your faith. Faith determines how we engage in pujas, yajna, tapa, dhana, etc. If your faith is in that which is divine, you will become divine too- Have Faith. Practical Question: What is Faith?  Practical Answer: You  Reflection: What will you do daily to strengthen your commitment to self-development? Accept that the external (ABCs) will never be perfect, so I can instead focus on my own self-development Q&A: 1. How does one “deal” with a family member who is evil/cruel? Nothing is more valuable than your own quietude of mind. First, try to engage in peaceful dialogue with this individual. If that doesn’t work, then let it be- it is not worth compromising your quietude of mind. Individual Reflection: We often think that our makeup is this body, mind and ego, holding on to a feeling of identification with external states.  There comes a point of exhaustion when the constant change becomes a burden- that is when we realize our true infinite, free nature. Our makeup is in fact no makeup at all.

What is Temperament & What is Transcendence? What is Temperament? What is Transcendence? Introduction When Lord Krishna tells Raja Muchukunda to ask for anything, he asks for the means to the ends, or bhakti.  The questions we ask will get related answers; if our questions are about peace, then our answers will be related as well.  Prince Arjuna’s questions are about peace, so Lord Krishna’s answers guide him, and us, to peace. Review Chapter 13: Differentiation Question 31: What is matter? Experienced. All that you can experience is matter. Question 32: What is spirit? Experiencer. If there’s an experience, there has to be an experiencer.  Question 33: What is change? Useless. It is useless for your completion in a foundational way; if you feel complete on that which is changing, you will become incomplete.  Question 34: What is changeless? Useful. It is useful for one to be complete for one wants peace. Question 35: What is knowledge? Purity. The more pure your software, the more you will live Bhagavad Gita. Question 36: What is Supreme? Being. Nothing can be deeper than the sense of Being. Chapter 14: The nature of that which is lower, so that we can let go of it. Discourse: Question 37: What is Temperament? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 14, Verse 21) “What are the marks of him who has crossed over the three GUNAS, O Lord? What is his conduct, and how does he beyond these three GUNAS?” Prince Arjuna wants to know the vision of one who is not subject to the lower.  Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 14, Verse 21) “Light, activity, and delusion, when present, O Pandava, he hates not, nor longs for them when absent.” Lord Krishna says that sattva is that which causes one to evolve. Rajas causes us to stagnate. Tamas causes us to devolve.  Lord Krishna also refers to Prince Arjuna as “Pandava” or son of Pandu, meaning colorless. Colorless here means beyond tamas (black), rajas (red), or sattva (white) – Prince Arjuna is telling Prince Arjuna he is beyond even evolution.  When these gunas, or the lower, is present, the one who has vision does not have dislikes or hatred towards these gunas. When one has nothing to gain, one has nothing to lose. We have attachment to that which we think will make us happy and dislike towards that which we think will make us unhappy. If there are no likes or dislikes, there is no attachment, and therefore we are happy. The less attachment there is, the more happy one is. The gunas are the equipment and we are deeper than the equipment. We are none of our equipments.  Traditional Question: Tell me about the one who can differentiate between the lower and the higher. Traditional Answer: They’re not lower. Even satva is a worldly quality. Practical Question & Answer: What is temperament? Transcendence. As long as one is subject to temperament, they will be rising and failing. The one who can see the most, is the highest, transcends their own temperament.  Reflection: When faced with a challenge, how does your gunas affect your ability to plan a solution and execute a plan? The gunas affect the quality of your decision-making (tamas: short-term, rajas: mid-term, sattva: long-term).  Question 38: What is Transcendence? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 14, Verse 21) “What are the marks of him who has crossed over the three GUNAS, O Lord? What is his conduct, and how does he beyond these three GUNAS?” Prince Arjuna wants to know how those who are not confused, how do they act? Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 14, Verse 24) “Alike in pleasure and pain; who dwells in the Self; to whom a clod of earth, a precious stone, and gold are alike; to whom the dear and the not-dear are the same; firm; the same in censure and self-praise.” Lord Krishna describes how one who is living with forgetfulness feels they are their equipments (body, mind, intellect, ego).  But for someone who remembers they are the spirit, their equipment goes through experiences, not them.  The following pairs of opposites are projections: pain or pleasure (body), stone or gold (mind), those we like or those we don’t like (intellect), compliments or criticisms (ego).  But for the one who is not holding onto the lower, they know who they are and they are not projecting who they are either. How do those believing in the higher live? Established in the Self. They are established in that which is Infinite.  They are established in sama (all is the same) and tulya (all is equal), or oneness. They are authentic, deep, reflective, and careful. Traditional Question: How does the one who has differentiated between the lower and the higher live? Traditional Answer: In a balanced way. Practical Question & Answer: What is transcendence? Foundational. The lower cannot affect them. Reflection: How is your mental balance affected by taking both praise and blame too seriously? Praise and blame leads to inefficiency because the mind is now on the praise or blame rather than focus. Q&A: If all of us are God, why are we sometimes expressed with negativity? This is all from our perspective. We may project that waves are fighting with each other, whereas to the ocean they are all a part of the ocean.  You cannot live in duality happily. You can only have the vision of oneness. Why do we need a Guide? No one who has not studied in a Guru-Shishya-Parampara will never understand the need to study in a Guru-Shishya-Parampara. However, someone who has experienced the Guru-Shishya-Parampara can acknowledge they have an ego that they want to let go of. No one who is a good driver learned by themselves. Without a guide to find and give you that balance between self-forgiveness and self-criticism, studying a subjective science is impossible. Clarify the difference between Karma and Karma Yoga. How you do is Karma. Why you do is Yoga. Prince Arjuna already knows how to fight, but he doesn’t know why to fight, but Lord Krishna does so he teaches

Review Introduction Back in the day, people were engaged in sadhana which involved fire and had a system which involved arani.   Arani has a top cup, a bottom cup and a rod.  The rod is rubbed until a spark occurs and helps the lint catch fire.   This is from the perspective of karma kanda.  The symbolism of it from jnana kanda is the top cup is the Guru.   The bottom cup is the shishya.  The rod is the Upadesa/teachings.   The spark that is created from the Guru who offers the teaching, and the student who is reflecting on it, is the insight.  The lint is ignorance.  This is from Katha Upanishad when Rishi Devayama tells Nachiketa that this has to be done everyday.   One has to be vigilant in reflecting on what the Guru offers, so that we feel the spark inside of us which lights up all the confusion and sadness around us.  Our engagement in mananam is unique as we are approaching it from the perspective of Prince Arjuna’s questions. Review: Chapter 1 – Theme of Chapter 1 is Fear Question 1: What is Peace?  Practical answer is quietude.  When the mind is quiet, we feel that we have everything that we want and need. Question 2:  What is Sin?  Practical answer is agitation.  There is first a mental hell and if we don’t check it, there is a physical hell.  The context needs to change for us to change. Question 3: What is righteousness?  Practical answer is responsibility. Doing that which is right is righteousness.  The responsibilities in our life whether we like it or not is our dharma Question 4:  What is prioritization?  Practical answer is clarity.  There is so much wastage in our inner world because we lack clarity.  Prioritize what is important ie self-development which will lead us to clarity, conviction, and confidence. Question 5:  What is grief?  Practical answer is confusion.  When we are confused about the nature of articles, beings and circumstances, and believe that they will last forever to bring us happiness, all that happens is grief. Chapter 2 – Theme of Chapter 2 is Fearlessness Question 6:  What is efficiency?  Practical answer is simplicity.  Simple living, high thinking. High thinking is efficiency.  The more simple our socialization, the more efficient we will be. Question 7:  What is sacrifice?  Practical answer is dedication.  What precedes sacrifice is dedication.  Only if we are dedicated, will we sacrifice. Question 8:  What is independence?  Practical answer is understanding.  When we understand that the sense organs engage in sense objects that are changing and finite, we do not depend on them and we will have freedom from confusion and grief.  Question 9:  What is silence?  Practical answer is evolving.  When we INjoy our own company, we do not need to act or speak as much.  That is a sign of our evolution.  Question 10:  What is focus?  Practical answer is efficiency.  If we want to do more in our life, we need to focus. Whatever we focus on, we will be better in it. Question 11:  What is discipline?  Practical answer is purpose.  Purpose pulls performance.  Whatever we think is our purpose, the best in us comes out toward that purpose.. Chapter 3 – Theme of Chapter 3 is Dedication Question 12:  What is responsibility?  Practical answer is living.  Train that our whole life is responsibility and then it does not matter what responsibility it is. Question 13:  What is attachment?  Practical answer is dependency.  What we are attached to is what we depend on for our stability and mood .  Addiction is synonymous to attachment. Question 14:  What is desire?  Practical answer is extroversion.  Our typical desire is for articles, being and circumstances and not for self-development. Chapter 4 – Theme of Chapter 4 is Deservershiplessness Question 15:  What is reincarnation?  Practical answer is opportunity.  When one dies, the next body is an opportunity to keep on learning.  For a sincere seeker, there is no fear in reincarnation. Chapter 5 – Theme of Chapter 5 is Doershiplessness Question 16:  What is doership?  Practical answer is forgetting.  When we forget our original parent, we start to feel we are the doer. For one who remembers, we feel we are the instrument. Chapter 6 – Theme of Chapter 6 is Delight Question 17:  What is failure?  Practical answer is irrelevant.  There is no failure for a seeker.  Every experience is an opportunity to evolve. Question 18:  What is opportunity?  Practical answer is all.  All that happens to us is an opportunity.  Whatever is hard trains us more. Chapter 7 – Theme of Chapter 7 is Internalizing Chapter 8 – Theme of Chapter 8 is Concentration Question 19:  What is Infinity?  Practical answer is life.  Living is that which keeps on changing.  Life is that which never changes. That is Infinity. Question 20:  What is Self?  Practical answer is Spirit.  The absolute Self never needs care.  We are not the mind or the ego.  Our Self is the Atman. Question 21:  What is work?  Practical answer is means.  Work is the means of whatever we want in life – position or peace. Question 22:  What is creation?  Practical answer is change.  Every aspect of creation is changing at different rates. Question 23:  What is perception?  Practical answer is expression.  Our nature is shining and everything that we are perceiving is an expression of that nature.  The effect is the expression of the cause.  Without our nature being Awareness, we cannot know anything. Question 24:  What is interaction?  Practical answer is Oneness.  The cause pervades the effect which means there is no effect or cause.  There is Oneness. Question 25:  What is remembrance?  Practical answer is direction.  Whatever we remember today will become our direction tomorrow.  This will decide our next lifetime. Chapter 9 – Theme of Chapter 9 is Offering.  First internalize, concentrate then offer aspects of ourselves to Bhagavan Krishna Chapter 10 – Theme of Chapter 10 is Pervading Question 26:  What is God?  Practical

What is Supreme? Introduction A toddler asks about themselves (jiva) A child asks about creation (jagat) An adult asks about consciousness (jagadeeshwara) Prince Arjuna’s questions flow in the same format. Each question of his evolves.  In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, verse 1 there are six questions:  What is Prakriti (Matter)?  That which is experienced What is Purusha (Spirit)?  The experiencer What is Kshetra? (Change)?  Useless- use that which is changing less for your completion What is Kshetrajna (Changeless)?  Useful- use that which is changeless fully because this will complete you What is Jnana (Knowledge)? Purity- whatever you know that makes you more pure is knowledge; whatever you know that doesn’t make you pure is information. Knowledge (perpetual remembrance of Brahman) is that which purifies ignorance (forgetfulness). We must perpetually practice the knowledge about who we are. Values need to be practiced until their completion into a virtue which happens when we actually live the value. Tvam + Bhagya = Bhagavan. When we live the values and they become virtues, we become Bhagavan. We will know we are knowledgeable, if we invest more in that which is kutastha or foundational instead of functional. Whatever you invest in that is what your return will be which means complete responsibility is on the individual.  Discourse Question 36 (Chapter 13, Verse 1):  “Prakriti (Matter) and Purusha (Spirit), also the Kshetra (the Field) and Kshetrajna (the Knower-of-the-Field), Knowledge and that which ought to be known –these, I wish to learn, O Keshava. Answer 35 (Chapter 13, Verse 13): “I will declare that which ought to be ‘known’ knowing which one attains to Immortality-the beginningless Supreme Brahman, called neither being nor non-being.” The answer to Prince Arjuna’s question begins in verse 13 and continues to verse 18.  What ought to be known is that your locus is Brahman, your locus is infinite and your locus is independent.  This locus is not created and does not create. Brahman is beginningless and Supreme or the Highest and is not being (sat) nor “non”-being (asat).  Brahman is beyond time (beginningless), beyond space (matpara; Supreme). Another way to understand this is to reflect on what is changing and not changing.  Our body, breath, mind, intellect, and ego are all changing which means they cannot be our locus. Our locus is who we are and that is unchanging/infinite.  This locus is not a concept; everything else is a concept. Brahman, the locus, is beyond knowledge and ignorance; beyond presence and absence.  One cannot know Brahman or forget Brahman. Guruji said about this verse: “our problem is how do we convince ourselves of an entity that cannot be conceptualized”. By knowing this knowledge one gains immortality, one becomes fearless as they become free from the fear of death or change. Verses 13 to 18: Bhagavan Krishna says I am going to give you ways to contemplate on “you”. If you do this, you will be free from fear and duality and attain Brahman.  Prince Arjuna asks what is the use of this knowledge. Bhagavan Krishna says freedom.  Practical Question and Answer: What is Supreme? It is the locus; it is Being.  Reflection: Will your current purpose for living bring you to know Brahman? For Vivekji, this is ananya–there is no other purpose.  This purpose has to come from each person..it is your responsibility, no one else’s. Whatever you want, you will nurture and you will grow if you are honest about self-development. Purity and discipline will develop immensely if we think of our sense organs and sense objects as a dream. Q & A: Is Jagadeeshwara or Bhagavan a concept, like all other means, to reach Brahman? Yes. Adi Shankaracharya says that even God cannot destroy the Self or Brahman. The jiva needs Bhagavan and eventually needs to transcend Bhagavan. Lord Krishna came out of love for us and is not telling us to keep holding onto Him but is guiding us to go beyond Him. As long as you feel you are created, there will be a Creator. Once you internalize that you are beyond creation, the concept of a Creator goes away. There will be no limits! For Prince Arjuna, his dharma is to fight so is his dharma also a concept for him to overcome his ego?  Yes dharma is the means that Prince Arjuna must go through to overcome his ego to reach Brahman.  The earlier part of the Veda teaches dharma but Vedanta or the final teaching of the Veda is Brahman.  In Chapter 18 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches us to let go completely of any responsibility-letting go of all means or limits and all that remains is Existence.  This requires courage. If you hold on, you will be holding yourself back

What is Knowledge? Introduction In Katha Upanishad Chapter 2, Verse 5, it says: ya i̱mam madhva̍daṁ ve̱da̱ ā̱tmāna̍ṁ jīva̱m anti̍kāt | ī̱śānam bhūta̍-bhavya̱sya̱ na̱ tato viju̍gupsate | e̱tad vai tat  We are madvadah – one who lives their life based on deservership, focusing on the fruits of their action. However, we can become the isha of bhuta and bhavya- knowers of the past and the future.Once we look closely (antikat) at who we are, we find that we do not need to protect ourselves from anything- we become FEARLESS.  Prince Arjuna now knows that he wants to go beyond the jiva and jagadisvara, and finally realize the limitless Brahman. Recap:  Question 31: What is prakriti (Matter)? Answer: That which is Experienced Question 32: What is purusha (Spirit)? Answer: The Experiencer Question 33: What is kshetra (Change? Answer: That which is Useless. Question 34: What is kshetrajna (the Changeless)? That which is Useful We must shift away from identifying with matter and change, to being an observer of matter and change.  In Chapter 2, Prince Arjuna shifts his focus and grows into being a disciple. Instead, develop a personal relationship with the Spirit and the Changeless. Discourse: Question 35 (Chapter 13, Verse 1):  “Prakriti (Matter) and Purusha (Spirit), also the Kshetra (the Field) and Kshetrajna (the Knower-of-the-Field), Knowledge and that which ought to be known –these, I wish to learn, O Keshava.” Answer 35 (Chapter 13, Verse 12): “Constancy in Self-knowledge, perception of the end of true knowledge—this is declared to be ‘knowledge’, and what is opposed to it is ‘ignorance’.” Bhagavan Krishna begins His response in Verse 8, where He explains that the known and the knower are different- so then, when the body or mind are agitated, why do we identify with that agitation? The distinction is not our anubhuti (experience), and our knowledge is the summation of our values, described in verses 8-12. 8. amanitvam:  humility, to be obedient to the higher 9. janma-mṛityu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣhānudarśhanam: non-attachment and understanding towards birth, death, old age, disease and sorrow 10. nityaṁ cha sama-chittatvam iṣhṭāniṣhṭopapattiṣhu: perpetual balance towards the attainment of what you want and what you don’t want 11. vivikta-deśha-sevitvam aratir jana-sansadi: enjoy being by yourself and in quietude 12. artha-darśhanam: a steadfast passion for being a full-time seeker At the end of Chapter 15, Bhagavan describes Prince Arjuna as anagha (the one who is pure) and bharata (the one who revels in knowledge).Thus, for the one who is pure, they will revel in knowledge.  Practical Question: What is knowledge?  Practical Answer: Purity Reflection: What is needed for the constant remembrance of this knowledge, even in the face of adversity? One must check in regularly with their artha-darshanam, or purpose. Group Reflection: Cultivating determination and inspiration by being perpetual and purposeful.  Perpetual means doing daily sadhana and cultivate daily reminders to lead us to development.  Purposeful means being intentional in the present, to simplify and priori-task, so that we can identify and admit our grief and open our hearts to the guidance of Bhagavan. Individual Reflection: Self-knowledge, or atma-vidya, comes from self-inquiry and reflection. Through sincere sadhana, we can go beyond our perceptions, feelings and thoughts and realize our true nature- joy.  Unless we emulate Prince Arjuna and become disciples, all we have is knowledge with no experience of inner and peace and joy.  “It is not enough to go through the book, but the book must go through you”- we must LIVE the Gita, not just KNOW the Gita.

What is Change? What is Changeless? Introduction Lord Krishna uses many names to refer to Prince Arjuna, including: Gudakesha: master of laziness Dananjaya: the one who does not depend on outer wealth Arjuna: the one who is straight, honest, receptive  It is because of Prince Arjuna’s honesty that Lord Krishna says that he is most like Arjuna. Lord Krishna reminds Prince Arjuna of his potential because he is on the side of dharma.  When a guru and a shishya come together, there is enlightenment.  Review The following three chapters focus on Bhagavan, or Saguna-bhakti (devotion to the qualities, names, and forms). Chapter 10: Pervading Chapter 11: Presence  Chapter 12: Practice The focus then shifts to Asi (how do I be Bhagavan?): Jiva and Jagadishwara (the individual and the total) are both conditioned to depend on each other. Prince Arjuna wants to know how the individual and the total can become one – or Brahman (infinity), nirguna-bhakti (devotion to the dhama, how do I be infinite?) What is Matter (Prakriti)? The source of Prakriti is life. Therefore, there is only life. Practical answer: What is matter? That which is experienced. Practical application: Be less functional. What is Spirit (Purusha)? Purusha can be lost in Prakriti when the lower, relative Self identifies. Practical answer: What is spirit? The experiencer.  Practical application: Direct lifestyle to that which is subtle or the cause. Discourse: Question 33: What is Change? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 13, Verse 1) “Prakriti (Matter) and Purusha (Spirit), also the Kshetra (the Field) and Kshetrajna (the Knower-of-the-Field), Knowledge and that which ought to be known – these, I wish to learn, O Keshava.” Prince Arjuna now wants to know more about the Kshetra, or field. Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 13, Verse 7) “Desire, hatred, pleasure, pain, aggregate (body), intelligence, fortitude – this Kshetra has been thus briefly described with its modifications.” At a macro level, the Field – everything we are interacting with that is not You – is: Avyaktha (vasanas): there is a blueprint to everything we are experiencing Mahabhuta (the five elements): space, air, fire, water, Earth Gochana (sense objects): sound, touch, sight, taste, smell Our blueprint is expressed in the five elements which are experienced through the sense objects.  At the micro level, the Field – everything we are made of – is: Ahankara (the ego) Buddhi (the intellect) Eka (the controller of the sense organs, or the mind): Indriya (sense organs): 10 input and outputs So the Field is made up of 11 macro factors and 13 micro factors. These specifics help Prince Arjuna have complete clarity, but these are all relative and always changing.  Traditional Question: Where is this Field?  Traditional Answer: The Field is everywhere! Practical Question & Answer: What is change? Useless! All that is changing is useless for what we need. Reflection: What aspects of the Field are most difficult for you to detach from? Generally, not having enough time to complete what we need to complete.  Question 34: What is Changeless? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 13, Verse 1) “Prakriti (Matter) and Purusha (Spirit), also the Kshetra (the Field) and Kshetrajna (the Knower-of-the-Field), Knowledge and that which ought to be known – these, I wish to learn, O Keshava.” Prince Arjuna now wants to know more about the one who knows the Field. Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 13, Verse 3) “Know Me as the Knower-of-the-Field in all ‘Fields,’ O Bharata; Knowledge of the ‘Field’ as also of the Knower-of-the-Field is considered by Me to be My Knowledge.” Lord Krishna says that he, Bhagavan, is the Knower-of-the-Field.  As long as you believe you are the knower, you remain in the lower Self.  But once you believe that Bhagavan is the knower, you become the Knower of the Field, or Awareness (cit). The Knower-of-the-Field is not identifying with the FIeld, but observing the Field. Lord Krishna tells Prince Arjuna that his potential is to be like Bhagavan, the knower of All.  The knowledge of the Field and the Knower-of-the Field is “My Knowledge,” Lord Krishna shares, which must be The knowledge.  Where learning is a means to obtaining knowledge, reflection and contemplation is where knowledge deepens to wisdom.  Traditional Question: Who knows or plays in this Field?  Traditional Answer: I do. I know every Field. Practical Question & Answer: What is changeless? Useful! This knowledge allows us to observe. Reflection: Although you may perceive the experiences of others objectively, why is it harder to be objective with your own experiences? There is not enough utility in following our own advice! Q&A: How do you balance negative energy being thrown your way when you are also going through a tough time? You don’t know what someone is going through, so you should respect people rather than suspect people. For yourself, chant. Bhagavan is an expert with taking poison, so give it to Him! There is no good change or bad change. But how does that work with something like intelligence, which seems to be good? Anything that happens in your life is for your betterment. If we transcend the labels of good or bad, we can just focus on that it’s a message for us. Even the virtues – truth, determination, etc. – are a rope, so we must not depend on those and rise above that also. The only ones who do not pursue peace are those who are peaceful. Eventually you have to stop pursuing peace.

What is Matter? What is Spirit? Introduction In Katha Upanishad, one of the teachings is that our Creator has killed our senses.  Message behind this teaching is that our senses have been created extrovert.  When we find completeness outside that it is like being killed.  We are to use the same senses and find completeness inside.  Try to see inside by listening to more scriptures and satsangs.   This is how one comes alive.  We need to replace senses with questions.  The one who has a lot of questions of articles, beings and circumstances is killing opportunities to be happy.   The one who redirects the questions to within and questions turned inwards, ‘Who Am I’ that person comes alive.   We are going through Prince Arjuna’s questions because we are Prince Arjuna Review:  Focus of Question 28: What is Vision?   Vision is surrender.  The more we know about the Creator, the more we surrender to the Creator.   In Gurustotram, the 2nd verse shares that we are blinded due to ignorance of our Nature.  What’s applied to our eye is ‘makeup’ of knowledge.   Results in our eyes opening to our Nature and we surrender from what we are not to what we are.   When Prince Arjuna asks Bhagavan Krishna ‘Let me see you’, Prince Arjuna’s eyes of ignorance are removed.  When ignorance is removed, who he is and who Bhagavan Krishna is, is known. Question 29:  What is Time?  Time is a teacher.  If we are running out of time, it teaches us that we have to be more efficient.  Bhagavan Krishna is Maha Kala.  He is Time to time.  Even time runs out with respect to Bhagavan Krishna.  Scientifically, time is a measurement of change.   There has to be an entity to change for there to be a recording of time.   This shows existence precedes time and because of existence there is time.  Sthane means ‘All is as all is’.  All is perfect.   Prince Arjuna comes to appreciate this insight that he is just an instrument.  The instrument is closer to Infinity than a doer is.   We need to enjoy being an instrument and in second place to Bhagavan.  Question 30: What is Devotion?  Devotion is Invocation.  Prince Arjuna asks Bhagavan Krishna how he can be even closer to Bhagavan.   We have to engage in Upasana (like an apprenticeship) to be like the one who is leading us.  We come to feel and see what they do.   We need to engage in Upasana with faith that this is important.  One practical gauge that shows this is important to us is that we do not procrastinate.   The sadhana we engage in that we do immediately shows that we have Shraddha.  A sign of Shraddha is when our day starts with reading, writing, reflection.   Why is devotion invocation? When we invoke in a subjective science what is revealed is what is already there.   Bhagavan is ever present in us.  The more we invoke the deeper aspect of us, the more we come to feel what is ever Present. Chapter 7: Internalize Chapter 8: Concentrate Chapter 9: Offer Chapter 10: Pervading Chapter 11: Presence Chapter 12: Practice Chapters 1 to 6 focuses on Tvam that is Prince Arjuna.  The next 6 chapters focuses on Tat that is Bhagavan Krishna.   Chapters 13 to 18 focuses on Asi. How is it that Prince Arjuna and Bhagavan Krishna are one? Discourse:  Question 31 – What is Matter? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 13, Verse 1) “Prakriti (Matter) and Purusha (Spirit), also the Kshetra (the Field) and Kshetrajna (the Knower-of-the-Field), Knowledge and that which ought to be known –these, I wish to learn, O Keshava. ” Prince Arjuna wants to know life without limits.  He is coming to sense that even Bhagavan Krishna is an expression with limits and now he wants to know as One without limits and wants to know Infinity.   In Chapter 12, Prince Arjuna asks who is the better seeker?  One who worships Bhagavan Krishna or worships Brahman.   Prince Arjuna thinks Bhagavan Krishna is different than Brahman.  Bhagavan Krishan states that he is not just Bhagavan, he is Brahman.   Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 13, Verse 20) “Know you that Matter (Prakriti) and Spirit (Purusha) are both beginningless; and know you also that all modifications and qualities are born of Prakriti” Bhagavan Krishna answers what Prakriti is and what Purusha is because they have a relationship.   Example:  prakriti is the effect (wave) and Purusha is the cause (ocean). Both of these are beginningless because they are expressions of Brahman/Life.   Brahman is expressing as Purusha and as Prakriti.  Infinity has no beginning and all the expressions also have no beginning.   If there is an effect there is a cause.  If there is a cause, there has to be an Uncaused cause.   The uncaused cause is Life that expresses as the cause and effect.   The vikaras are because of the Gunas (rope).   The nature of Prakriti is Gunas and the nature of Gunas is vikara. The 3 gunas are laziness, aggressiveness and calmness.   These ropes keep pulling us to sleep, to argue, to read and because these ropes are pulling, there is always change.  These changes are all born of Prakriti. The effect is made up of qualities and these qualities are always changing.  There is more to us than what we think or feel.  All of these changes have to have a substratum/locus.  There is more to you and more to Life.  Body changes, mind changes, the Soul doesn’t change. Summary:  Prince Arjuna wants to know more about Life without limits.  Bhagavan Krishna answers that life is that which never ends.  All that is changing that is not the purest expression of Life Practical Question & Answer: What is Matter?  Practical answer is experienced.  Matter is that which is experienced.  Everything that we touched, that we saw was experienced.  If it is experienced, there has to be an Experiencer Reflection: Why do you continue to identify with your equipments despite observing their changing nature throughout your life? 

Pariksha Introduction In our culture, 2 great leaders were Bhagavan Rama and Raja Prithu. The word Prithvi, meaning Earth, came from Prithu because he cared for the Earth as a daughter.  He shared that the 3 primary responsibilities of a ruler are to protect the people or provide ease, to provide employment or engagement and to provide education that promotes one’s evolution.  He also shared that individuals as well as the ruler should follow, facilitate and felicitate (encourage/celebrate) ease, engagement, and education for themselves and others.  The vision of this course is to change our role models to great people like Prince Arjuna and to the greatest, Bhagavan Krishna.  The more we are accepting of others, the more the Creator graces us with our own limitlessness.   Your potential is released because your mind becomes more quiet when you accept others and you do not feel limited.  Question 1: What is the purpose of the Thursday courses? Evolve from intellectualization to implementation; when we only intellectualize this subject we are taking that which is sacred and making it secular or making a subjective science an objective one; if we do this, there is no transformation. Question 2: What does dharma mean as a verb and a noun? Verb: That which integrates Noun: Responsibilities Our responsibilities integrate us. No responsibility will come into our lives that will make us a worse person. Question 3: What is one commonality and one difference between the Kauravas and Pandavas? Both of them have weaknesses but only the Pandavas recognized it and asked for help. Question 4: What framework should we follow to make decisions? Shruti- perspective of the Upanishad or theory (revelations of the divine) Smriti- perspective of the Gita or one who has lived this historically (like Bhagavan Rama or Prince Arjuna) Sadaachara- perspective of the rishis or one whom you know who is living  this like a sadhguru Santushta- perspective of the individual or your “gut feeling” Question 5: When does Prince Arjuna evolve from a warrior to a disciple? Chap 2 verse 7- when he surrenders to Lord Krishna and asks for help and says “I am your disciple” Question 6: What is THE indicator of one who is Enlightened?  Contentment Question 7: What stops us from living what we know? Desire and anger Question 8: What are the practical answers to: What is reincarnation? Opportunity (to evolve) What is doership? Forgetfulness (of whose hand is on your head) What is failure? Irrelevant (for a seeker there is no failure) What is opportunity? All (to practice/to grow) Question 9: Fill in the blanks: Knowing all dies, we should be more light-_________ and light-__________.  Light-footed (live simply) and light-hearted Question 10: What are the summary words for Chapters 7, 8 & 9? Chapter 7: Internalize  Chapter 8: Concentrate Chapter 9: Offer  Internalize and concentrate on Tat (Bhagavan Krishna) and then offer up the Tvam (sense of me) Question 11: What is the means to reducing likes and what is the ends? Means to reduce likes is to reduce labels. When we reduce likes, we have less limits. The more likes you have, the more limited you are. Question 12: What does a leela do? Makes the unmanifest (or joy) manifest. Existence and awareness are already manifest but the joy is what is less clear. Leela makes ananda manifest

What is Devotion? Introduction Prince Arjuna loves his individuality – body, mind, intellect and ego.  He loves his family also. Bhagavan Krishna is guiding him to love the Self/the Atman/Spirit because the Self is in All.  The second portion of Gita focuses on Tat- Bhagavan Krishna.  Review- Focus of: Chapter 7: Internalize.  This is a subjective science.  Go inward Chapter 8: Concentrate. As we internalize who we are, concentrate. Don’t give up Chapter 9: Offer.  Offer what you are not.  Offer up the body, mind, intellect and ego to the feet of Bhagavan Krishna Chapter 10:  Pervading.  Bhagavan Krishna is pervading all.  Offer yourself to the greatest of the great.  Those who are egotistical hesitate because their ego is being dismantled but this is the pain we have to go through Chapter 11: Presence. All that is present in the presence of Bhagavan Krishna. This is Vishvaroopa or The presence. Chapter 12:  Practice Discourse:  Question 30 – What is Devotion? Prince Arjuna’s Philosophical Question: (Chapter 12, Verse 1) “Those devotees who, ever steadfast, thus worship you, and also those who worship the imperishable, the unmanifested – which of them are better versed in YOGA? ” Many of Prince Arjuna’s questions are on pleasing Lord Krishna. As such, he is asking if it is better to worship the manifested form (Bhagavan) or the unmanifested form (Brahman).  He is asking which icon we should practice being like. Once you introduce exclusivity, you take away infinity.  If we say Brahman is not Bhagavan, we have dismantled Brahman.  Lord Krishna’s Philosophical Answer: (Chapter 12, Verse 2) “Those, who, fixing their mind on Me, worship Me, ever steadfast and endowed with Supreme faith, these, in my opinion, are the best in YOGA.” More important than what you are worshiping is HOW you are worshipping.  It doesn’t matter if you worship Bhagavan or Brahman.  How are we supposed to practice?  Our mind should be fixed on Bhagavan like Devi Radha.   Devi Radha is an icon of Ananya which means the one who only thinks about That.  We practice this by focusing.  A technique is not to expose ourselves to that which distracts us.   In an integrated way, we should do upasana which means to rest near Bhagavan Krishna.  We will then assimilate and feel Him.  Those who have unwavering faith can fix their mind on Bhagavan.  The way to have such faith is to understand that Bhagavan is our well-wisher.   If we work hard and get what we want right away, Bhagavan is teaching us to be grateful.  If we work hard and get what we want later, Bhagavan is teaching us to be faithful.   If we work hard and do not get what we want, Bhagavan is teaching us to be peaceful.  Those whose minds are fixed, resting and understanding of Bhagavan are the best! Practical Question & Answer: What is Devotion?  Invocation.  Practical way to practice loving Bhagavan is Love Bhagavan and accordingly you will love Brahman Reflection: How will you cultivate love for Bhagavan? Vivekji says when you observe those who love Bhagavan, you start feeling the same way.  You can cultivate love for Bhagavan by being around bhaktas Group reflection: What can you do to make the best use of your time each day?  First is to have a higher purpose.  Within this purpose we should have a plan, use a planner and have routines to manage the time.   Being in the present moment helps us be centered and to focus on Bhagavan.  We should also have the bhava of being grateful.   Evaluation of how we spend our hours in a week and surplus of the hours will help us make the best use of our time.  Vivekji reiterated that one of the significant drains of time is staying up late. The later we stay up, the less productive we become.   If we have supreme faith that Bhagavan is our well-wisher, there is no need to live in the past or the future.  We should enjoy the present. Individual reflector:  Devotion is intentional actions that bring us closer to the Divine.   While the practice of devotion is many, ultimately the practices are intentional actions to consistently re-center us and surrender to Bhagavan.  Q&A: 1. Repeat and expound ‘What happens in the past happened for the best, what happens in the future happens for our best? When we understand Bhagavan deeply as a well wisher, we will understand that everything in the past has happened for our best.  The same carries on to the future and to not worry.  We get to enjoy the present. 2. In everyday reflection, the mind is continually going into the future and causes anxiety.  How to not drift into the future, focus on the present and accept everything as prasada buddhi? Engage in arpana buddhi which is the vision of dedication.  If we are dedicated to our responsibilities, we will enjoy them.  So whatever comes from them is not important. If you love what you do, the love itself is, as if, the reward. Use a planner to plan for the future.  We need to schedule a time to drift to the future but then come back to the present 3. Do you live and let be? Those who are attached live and don’t let others live.  Those who are detached live and let live.  The more incomplete we feel (avidya), the more we will project (viksepa).   The more we project, the more we will be attached (raga).  The more attached we are to anyone/anything, the more expectations we have and we are controlling them.   We are really trying to control them for our own projection of happiness to make ourselves complete.   For those of us who are truly practicing happiness by introspection, detection etc, we do not project.   No one can make us happy or sad.  We are not attached but accepting.  Implementation:  (i) Bhagavan is the controller (2) We should guide but not be insistent 4. Pray to God in the morning and at

What is Vision? What is Time? Introduction Are you living the Bhagavad Gita? Are you having doubts about your investment in your spiritual journey? To clear doubt, be intentional in your reflection (manana). Review: Question 26: Philosophical Question: How do I feel You in an uncontrolled environment? Philosophical answer: I am the locus from which all references exist. We must reduce our tendency to label things → reduces likes and dislikes → reduce limits. Practical question: What is God? Practical Answer: Support. The first and final support in our lives is God. Question 27: Philosophical question: How can I feel You only/exclusively? Philosophical Answer: I am the Greatest of the Great. The more we recognize that, the more humble we become. We must invest in being more energetic, enthusiastic. Practical question: What is virtue? Practical Answer: Humility Discourse Chapter 10 focuses on unity in diversity. Chapter 11 focuses on diversity in unity. Question 28- What is Vision? Chapter 11, verse 4 : Attitude comes from vision, and the source of vision is knowledge/insight. Prince Arjuna wants to see this vision- he wants to see Bhagavan. Bhagavan’s Answer Chapter 11, verse 8: You cannot see Me. Bhagavan Krishna is unmanifest- He is the cause, we are the effect, and the effect cannot see the cause.  But, He gifts Arjuna divyachakshu (divine eyes). It’s important to note that Prince Arjuna was not given new eyes, rather, his old eyes were taken away to reveal his true divine sight.  In fact, we all have divine eyes, which expose us to Bhagavan’s leela. Ultimately, Bhagavan wants Prince Arjuna to realize that he need only to look inwards to see this oneness. The sanskrit term for God is Bhagavan, which means the one who has bhaga (virtues): Aishvarya = to be joyous Dharma = to be responsible Yasha = to be revered Shriya = to be prosperous Vairagya = to be independent Jnana = to be wise Practical Question & Answer: What is Vision ? — Surrender Reflection: How have you personally been graced by Bhagavan, the Scriptures or a sadguru? Vivekji’s response is that he has been graced to not be complacent, but rather rigorous with his spiritual journey. In verses 10–14 of Chapter 11, Bhagavan Krishna shows Prince Arjuna his vishwaroopa. In verses 15–31, Prince Arjuna sees the warriors on the battlefield getting consumed by Bhagavan. Question 29- What is Time? Chapter 11, verse 31: After seeing His true form, Prince Arjuna wants to know Bhagavan’s original purpose. Bhagavan’s Answer Chapter 11, verse 32: I am the Time that destroys worlds. Time is the true doer, not us! Prince Arjuna is asking about Bhagavan’s purpose, but Bhagavan is beyond purpose! In the following verse (verse 33), Bhagavan tells Arjuna to release this feeling of doership, and instead be His instrument. In Chapter 11, verse 36, Prince Arjuna responds: sthane = all is perfect, because You are perfect. Practical Question & Answer: What is Time? — a Teacher. All that we experience is cyclical, so why do we grow attached to material experiences that will eventually return to us? Let go. Reflection: What can you do to make the best use of the limited time that you have each day? Resources should be spent to save time, and time should be spent to save effort. Effort is meant for achieving enlightenment. Dynamics: Walk around your room and for every item you see, write down the year that it came into your life. Did you note the year that you came into your life? What about unmanifest things, like existence and vision? Q&A Is there a difference between reflection and contemplation? Sravana is inspiration, while manana is reflection. Manana is when you feel the message to be real for you.  Contemplation is a change in identification, where you identify less with the world (secular) and more with the Self (sacred).  How to practice reflection? Take one of Prince Arjuna’s questions, read it well, then write down your answer to the reflection, and then close your eyes and focus on the message.