Tuesday, December 27, 2022

A Year of Gita: Self-Study Group

 


(Image: Sourced from Google Search).

I was planning to study Gita from Gita Jayanti on 3rd Dec 2022

(Details in the previous blog post here: http://hr-universe.blogspot.com/2022/10/studying-gita-step-by-step.html).  

We faced some difficulties, hence we re-planned everything and we are starting on 1st January 2023.

One reason, things starting on 1st January has a positive effect on aspirational behavior. There is some research-based evidence from social science for that- called the "Fresh Start Effect". (Or  Check here -  https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1901 )

 

Another big reason is – it's Kalp-Taru day on 1st January and divine blessings are certain.

 

 We have gathered a small serious group of readers to accompany/support each other.

 We have simplified things.

1.       We will follow Chinmaya Mission Syllabus. 

       This is available here.

2.       Essentially, we will study one lesson from this syllabus over 15 days

       There will be 30 lessons. However, feel free to read at your own pace. 

       We may post a prompt once a fortnight for discussion. You may go faster or slower as you wish.

3.       However please respond to the discussion prompt once over a fortnight

4.       Read from the book of your choice. I am thinking of following two books after some deliberations.

a.       Universal Message of Bhagavat-Gita – By Swami Ranganathananda – 3 Volumes (Amazon link, however, you can buy from Center of Ramkrishna Math)

b.       Holy Gita – By Swami Chinmayananda

5.       You do need not to join Chinmaya Mission Course for taking part in the group. (I have joined the course. And anyone can join. It's possible to get financial support in case you need it. The online portal has audio, and video lessons along with text-based pdf. And a dedicated discussion group is also available with the portal.)

6.       This fortnightly lesson is approximately 15 to 20 pages. It's possible to read the lesson in 15 days.

7.       If feasible, this course’s fortnightly lessons (Only PDF) will be posted for reading.   

8.       WhatsApp group will have messages only related to Bhagavad-Gita. Other posts are barred. 

9.       If time permits, we may plan some meetings/gatherings or talks.

10.   We wish to restrict the group to sincere and serious readers. 

       Few more attractions are in pipeline, but will be declared once finalized. 

      Let's celebrate the year as a Gita-Study-Year!