November 22nd, 2008 Elaine
In chapter two we find Arjuna asking Krishna several very astute questions. As a result of these questions we are provided with an overview of what follows in the remaining chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna reminds Arjuna about his true self, ATMAN, his immortal nature. This basic nature of the self is not subject to time and death and can be realized through the practice of yoga. (Please don’t confuse yoga with Hatha yoga!) Towards the end of this chapter the last 17 sholkas answer the questions about how the self-realized man handles himself in life.
Please read and meditate on this chapter. Once you have done this, please tell us about the sholka or two that hold the greatest meaning for you and why. I look forward to reading your insights.
Namaste
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October 3rd, 2008 Elaine
Here we are introduced to the four main speakers:
Arjuna: one of five brothers
Sri Krishna: avatar of Vishnu, the god incarnate; charioteer for Arjuna
Dhritarashtr: the blind king
Sanjaya: a mystic who can see and hear from afar
Many other names are referred to but as Goswami Kriyananda has taught, these names translate into emotions like greed, strength, anger, courage…
The Bhagavad Gita is mostly a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna. All life is a battlefield and the Gita takes us to a war where our senses and emotions are battling for control of us. The Gita is about life and trying to understand duty.
The first nine shlokas reveal that the battle is truly within. It’s one of the fiercest battles we must wage. We are waging war against everything within us that is selfish and separate in us. Arjuna is suffering the inability to know what he should do, he’s paralyzed into inaction. Arjuna shares this inability with many humans, he is not alone. We are under the delusion that the selfish life will bring us happiness.
Krishna gives us the answer to the problem and it is one that will let everyone gain spiritual wisdom. The answer is two-fold: meditate and live a healthy life. As Krishna further explains, to be healthy we must first make our family healthy. And, that we should remember that so goes the family, so goes the culture. Care must be given not to lose cultural wisdom.
What insights would you like to share about Chapter One? Click on comments below to read and add to what other participants are saying…
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August 1st, 2008 Trisha
My understanding of karma is that it’s the law of cause and effect. We can neutralise our karma through our yoga practice. Karma travels with us through our energetic body from one life to the next which is why building self-awareness and practicing yoga techniques is important to break free from our karmic momentum of the past.
Trish.
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July 22nd, 2008 Elaine
Hi Gang…the second post I wrote is what’s know as a page. So, look on the left side of the page and for something titled “Background” under pages. Also, comments may be posted with posting…just look under the post and see how many comments have been added. Click there to read.
Each and everyone is entitled to ask and answer questions. I’m just the leader, not the authority and this is a discussion…E
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July 22nd, 2008 Rocio
Hello Elaine and all:
Thank you for the information, it seems that now we are ready to start talking about the Gita. One sentence that called my attention from your welcome page was the following:
“It will help one to realize their oneness with the world, themselves and the Divine Reality”
Can you talk a little more about what you mean?
What is the relevance of the Gita Today?
Is this what are you looking for in our participation?
Shanti,
Rocio
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July 9th, 2008 Elaine
Mahatma Gandhi lived most of his life using the Bhagavad Gita as his guiding manual. Eknath Easwaran calls the Bhagavad Gita a manual for daily living. It is a timeless text, as relevant today as when it was written thousands of years ago. It will help one to realize their oneness with the world, themselves and the Divine Reality. Regardless of religious background the Gita will help you obtain your version of the supreme Reality.
I have been asked if I recommend one translation over another. I simply believe that you need to find a version that speaks to you. I think that if different versions are read and then used as the basis for this discussion, then perhaps we truly can uncover a greater, deeper understanding of the lessons contained within. I have read several versions of the Bhagavad Gita which have produced a variety of thoughts that have remained with me. It is these thoughts that I will offer you as we travel this path. These thoughts are not necessarily original thoughts but simply thoughts that have resonated with me and that I will share with you.
Since this is a discussion group each invited guest should post their understanding of the subject matter being discussed. I do not claim to be an expert on this matter but simply a traveler along a pathway that has led me to this text. It is my hope that together we can discover a deeper meaning of this text.
Namaste.
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