Vivekji started the class by setting up the stage for why we are engaged in the study of our own Self. He recounted the story of Rishi Narada and his older brother Sanata kumara from Chandogya Upanishad. After being prompted by his older brother, Rishi Narada explained that even after “touching” everything (extensive travels, scriptural studies), he still felt incomplete. He further says that all his knowledge is of the external and in words whereas Sanata Kumara’s knowledge is experiential and is inside of him. He then says that he has come to Sanata Kumara to teach him to be happy. How to be happiness. Sanata Kumara then blesses him with the knowledge of the Self.
Extending this story to the current times, just like Rishi Narada, we are multitasking and distracted and pulled in many directions. We are good at many things but fail to excel at one thing. The vision of our courses for families, families being the members of our study group, is to evolve from being jack of all trades to master of oneSelf, from being a multitasker to a unitasker where WE direct our thoughts. Poojya Gurudev said that there are three verbs for study groups, Shravana (listening), Chintana (reflecting) and Kathana (sharing one’s understanding). A study group family thus helps its members to traverse this journey from outside to inside.
Vivekji recollected five years of journey with five courses and listed one word that would be a gist of each of the courses:
Fear- Face it: Yama (Don’t, Don’t be afraid as there is nothing to be afraid of)
Self Unfoldment: Niyama (Do, Do think about your life and bring balance)
Moha Mudgara: Asana (relationship with finances, attraction and bringing to the rush we live in)
Atma Bodha: Pranayama (elevation of lifestyle to vision and bringing balance inward)
Upadesha Sara: Pratyahara (shift from being an extrovert to be an introvert)
Applied Gita course that we now commenced is applying Arjuna state of mind to us by putting ourselves in Arjuna’s situation. The focus of the course is to take each word of the verses and apply it to our life. Therefore, one word applicable to this course would be “Dharana” (direct with a lot of effort). Opening up the word “Bhagavat, it means “all virtues in all ways”. Gita: Song. Bhagavat Gita teaches resolving our identity crisis, which we all do, even though we may not be aware of it. When faced with this identity crisis, Arjuna fails in his duty and that point, Bhagwan Krishna directs him inwards and teaches him about who he really is. This text is a relatively modern text and most suitable for resolving the identity crisis AFTER it has set in. Traditionally, the society did not face this crisis as it was proactive. In ancient times, students would live in a Gurukula with teachers that did not have an identity crisis. The students were taught Upanishad and the clarity of one’s identity was taught in the Gurukula in a Sattvic environment. Bhagavat Gita is applicable for contemporary times and is reactive and aims to resolve the identity crisis. Message of the Gita is the same: Tat Tvam Asi. You are the happiness! Happiness cannot be created but can be discover it as ourself. It is our nature.
For the next nine months, we will pick a specific verb where we need resolution (relationships, decision making, evolving). We will embark on this journey from complete ignorance to complete enlightenment. Each month we will study 4 shlokas to resolve our identity crisis.
September will focus on “Evolving” (verb of the month).
Chapter 2, verse 7: Arjuna is experiencing this feeling of miserliness, Shri Krishna points this out to Arjuna by saying that he is living this way and this isn’t suited to his potential. Relating this our lives, we have an expertise in justifying our vices. When we back away from facing our challenging by being complacent, we are denying our full potential to shine forth. As long as we justify our vices, we can never let go of them. Prince Arjuna has never seen Bhagwan criticize and complain and wants to know how the Lord is not like him. Arjuna admits that his mind is acting like an utmost foolish one. In the most, obvious way he is confused and deluded. The application for us, is to ask ourselves, why should we follow Dharma. But first, we need to know what Dharma is!
Arjuna then emphatically requests Bhagwan to tell decisively what is best for him (what his Dharma is), asks Him what Shreya (long term) is, not Preya (short term). [As a note: In Eastern culture, the emphasis is on “We” (Shreya) whereas the Western culture focuses on “I” (Preya)]. When Prince Arjuna beseeches Bhagwan, he is ready to make the change in his life. He is eager to experience what Bhagwan has. Similarly, we should have the same openness, willingness and eagerness to change our lives right now as a disciple with a feeling of surrender at the feet of the Lord. A beautiful definition of surrender is “choiceless cheer”. We accept the terms of the surrender with cheer with complete discipline and faith in our teacher. We have to think about our life honestly. Prince Arjuna had tremendous capability but had the honesty to realize that he was not Independently joyous. We also have to acknowledge the same. Only with this honesty, can a fruitful journey begin. Bhagwan Krishna does not begin His teaching until Arjuna seeks his guidance. We too, with sincerity, should want the answers. Only then will the path show itself.