November 3, 2022 Class Notes by Abhiram Bhashyam

Introduction

Who is Dave Brailsford? Up until 2002, the British cycling system had only won 1 gold medal. In 2002, he was hired to ramp up that facet of their culture and he focused on marginal gains. His goal was to improve every facet of training and preparation by 1% (e.g. he painted a garage floor white to find and clean dust that would otherwise decrease the bike’s mechanical efficiency). By Beijing 2008, British cycling won 7 out of 10 possible gold medals.

Marginal gains are secondary to incremental change. They provide insight into the contrast between revolution versus evolution. Revolution happens fast and on the outside, while evolution is slow and on the inside. There are no hacks to self-development. No shortcuts. It requires ACTIVE participation.

In this course, we are exploring how to engage in these incremental changes in 40 ways. The beauty is that each practice may address us in our individual ways for our individual deficiencies.

Review – Verse 2/ Practice 9. sangah satsu vidhiyatam: 

Commune with those who live by inclusivity and go out of your way to be with those who are inclusive. On a deeper level, each of us has anatma – deeper vices that make us feel limited. When we actively associate with those who are wise (i.e. bigger than these limits), then we change our vasanas from anatma to atma (limitless). Last week, our practice was to prepare for satsang (e.g. by taking notes to remain active and open to the experience)

Discourse

Verse 2, Practice 10: bhagavato bhaktir drḍha dhiyatam

Bhagavata – in relation to Bhagavan

Bhakti – devotion

Drdha – firm or committed

Dhiyatam – be established

Translation: With committed focus on God, be established in this.

From an absolute level: There is a phrase in Sanskrit called ananya – “no other.” Acharya Shankara is sharing that you should be devoted to Bhagavan so you do not need to be devoted to any other. This is possible through jnana – knowing God. When we know that only God can complete us, that is when we are committed to this devotion. This concept is not unique to Sanatana Dharma – it is also in other religions (e.g. Exodus from the Bible). Some interpret this to mean that we should be devoted to only a particular aspect of God (e.g. Jesus Christ), but when interpreted correctly, it really refers to our own Bhagavan.

Relative level: Bhagavan is related to bhagya – fortunate. One who is fortunate is one who is virtuous. What makes one fortunate is virtue. Although some are born with it, most of us must nurture virtues.

Insight 1: On a practical level, self-development facilitates societal/professional development. When we are dedicated to our self-development, it enables us to fulfill our societal purpose. When we are dedicated, we sacrifice selfishness/smallness. When you feel this burn, then you are expanding your limits.

Insight 2: Prema versus sneha. Both are translated as love, but prema is when you love the higher (e.g. a better version of yourself) – when this happens, your mind becomes more integrated, you complain less, you do not overthink as much, you do not compare as much. Sneha is when you love the lower (e.g. when you love being in your comfort zone) – when this happens, you continue to feel incomplete even when your context is perfect – no cheer, no dynamism.

Practice: Sleep altar – wherever you sleep, establish an altar.

Discussion: How do you decrease the fear of death?

Vivekji’s reflection: If I am proud of how I have lived until today, then I am more accepting that I may not be around tomorrow. If I am not proud, I will only have regret and fear. The only way to be proud of how you have lived is to think of others. The more you think of yourself, the noisier your mind becomes. The more you think of others, the quieter your mind becomes.

Dialogue:

Question 1: What are the qualities I should look for when building a circle of satsang?

Reflective nature (the more reflective one is, the more adaptable they will be). To try to be around those who are not living for themselves (seekers not searchers). Find those who are burning their comfort zones and seeking to cool their minds. It is better to be around better people than more people – quality not quantity. If you focus on quality, quantity will come.

Question 2: What happens when our circumstances/pain/mindset affect our strategy of preparation?

“The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.” Prepare in peaceful times so it is a habit/reflex during hard times. Regular exposure makes you more prepared and less fearful.

Reflection Adventure of the Week (RAW):

Last week: Prepare experience

This week: Be rested so your mind can go deep -> Sleep altar – wherever you sleep, establish an altar. Take a photograph of the altar where you sleep.