To think small is easy, our default is to think about “me and mine” rather than think about “me and ours”. To go down is easy. Our course feels like “this is not easy” and this is the case because we are changing what is easy. We are changing “thinking small” and “going down” from being easy to being hard. Our default should not be to “think small” but to “think big”. What is natural to us should be to follow what is right rather than what is popular.When we change who we are, we change what we aspire for. Our Applied Gita Course is for us to start to feel that we are prince Arjuna and to finally feel that we are Bhagavan Krishna. That is the full application of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
In October, we focused on Applied Gita in “deciding”. To be an awesome decision maker, one has to be “Dheera”. Dheera means deep. One who is deep knows their value system, their Dharma. Because they are deep and solid, the context around them adapts to them. If the context does not adapt, then the deep person endures. The two virtues that come to one who applies Gita in deciding is that the context adapts to them, they do not compromise/succumb. Secondly they endure, whatever they cannot change.
In November, the focus is on applying Gita in “communicating”. From birth to death, we are ever communicating. If we think of all the acquaintances in our life who have become friends, it is through communicating. All of the deals and arguments in our life are also through communicating.
Chapter 14 Verse 17: The focus of chapter 14 is the Gunas. Every aspect of us is subject to the gunas (ropes). These ropes pull us up or sideways or down! If I have to communicate with someone, I have to first know “me” and how I am feeling, and that will be an asset to getting to know the other person (Maavidvishaavahai). When we understand ourselves, we will understand others.
From “Satva”, “Jnana” (knowledge) is born. “Satvaat” means like “Sat”. “Sat” means existence at the absolute level. At a relative level, “Sat” means nobility. If my lifestyle is like existence, which means solid/firm/connected, then we come to develop “Jnana”, meaning mind becomes quiet. With the quietude of our mind, we can naturally empathize more. The more I tune into my spirit the more I can tune into your spirit. “Sattva” does not come fast, it comes slowly, “Sattva” is evolving. Our whole lifestyle has to be like Sat — solid/noble. To develop “Sattva”, we should simplify our lifestyle, and we will know ourselves better.
If one is “Rajasic”(aggressive), then what they feel or express is “Lobha” (greed). In the context of communication, “Lobha” is really the sense of exchange. A greedy person wants to get but wants to give less. It is the mentality of exchange. But when it comes to people, it is not an exchange but it becomes expectation. “Lobha” is highlighted as expectation. Lobha leads to “Moha”. Moha is confusion or distortion. When someone has an expectation of another person or group of people, all that they say or do or hear is distorted. This happens when we live an aggressive lifestyle. All input and output is distorted.
“TamasaH” is darkness/laziness. When one is lazy, there is “Pramaada” or carelessness. Inadvertance is like death itself (as mentioned by Acharya Shankara in Viveka Choodamani).
Tamas is like apathy, Rajas would be like sympathy and Sattva would be empathy.
Stones, plants and animals all live by “Prakrti”. Nature is their control system. Humans are the only part of creation that is not subject to Prakrti. The control system has be lifted from humans to see if we are matured enough and if we are evolved enough. Those who live by Tamas or Rajas, that is called “Vikruti”. They devolve to be animalistic in how they interact with others. Those who are not inadvertant, those who are careful/Saathvik, is called “Samskruti”. That is how they refine themselves to not be human but divine! It requires intentional living to not devolve, to not give into Vikruti.
Ignorance/inadvertance/confusion is because of laziness within oneself, animalistic, plant like tendency to go by our default. We are creating our default, with every thought word and action.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a Adhyatma Shastra (from the perspective of the Atma or connecting with the spirit). From that perspective we don’t objectify any part of creation, we have to feel that subjective connection. We should be able to feel that light, existence and awareness in ourself , and from that perspective communicating becomes natural and easy. Those who are enlightened are able to communicate with all creatures because they are tuned into their AdhyAtma. The more we know how we feel, the more we can work smart with communicating with others.