Studying Gita - Step by Step!

 

Bhagavad Gita (referred as Gita). 

A sincere sadhak Vinba Bhave had referred to it as Gitai (Gita + AAI – Mother Gita – AAI is a mother in Marathi).

I always had a longing to study it.

Even I bought a couple of editions – including explanations, etc. in English. Even have three-volume sets of Swami Ranganathananda’s writings on Gita. 

But somehow, I never had an appetite to read it. 

Then I worked on a seminar course (during my doctorate) on Karma Yoga.

Again, I felt the deep need to at least read and get the crux of what Gita is. [Karma Yoga origins are in Gita]

But it always sounds monumental task and slipped away.

Moreover, I don't have any Sanskrit background. I feel it is a handicap.

I think such Everest may be conquered with some structure.

And I came across the Chinmaya Mission course on Gita. 

It's 30 sessions spread over 15 months, each month two lessons. Details are available here:  https://chinfo.org/home/course/bhagavad-gita-course-online/9  .

It is written for beginners and thoroughly in English.

I have decided to take it up.

I plan to start on the Gita Jayanti on 3^rd Dec.  [Suggested by Fellow reader]

Long back -while in college I did Chinmaya Mission’s basic Vedanta course developed by Swami Chinmayananda. Not only I enjoyed that course in the pre-internet era (lessons used to come by post – a snail mail), but I learned systematically the basic building blocks of Vedanta.

Making it easy for me to approach other spiritual literature & discussions with confidence. [Incidentally, a friend who did the same program, became a monk and pursued spiritual life] 

Hence it makes sense to look at the Gita course – also developed by the same Institution.

I am certain - structure and chapter-wise lessons will help me to take learning steps slowly but confidently. 

You can find the detailed syllabus here: https://chinfo.org/uploads/include_files/course_9_Bhagavad%20Gita_Syllabus.pdf 

Though the course is paid, if someone has difficulty paying, then you can write to homestudycourses@chinfo.org to make your case and get funding/help. 

Any long or short journey becomes enjoyable if you have companions on the path.

Fortunately, few friends are willing to join the journey with me. 

( If you are also interested in joining this study group – do let me know.)

As of today, we have decided that - learners/readers

1.       Will join this Chinmaya Mission Course mentioned above. Subscribe/buy or get access to it before 3^rd December.

2.       Will read and study. The guideline says one lesson in 15 days. Sample lessons are available online. Please take a look. It shall be comfortable to study one lesson in 15 days.

3.       We have a WhatsApp group, but the group will be strictly used to talk about the readings on Gita and nothing else.

4.       We may schedule group discussions. 

5.       If the number of group members increases, we may think of scheduling additional activities related to Gita Study.

Do connect!

Thanks!

 

What is the most important sign of Yoga Practice ?

I have completed my fifth project in Toastmasters , half the road is covered to reach first mile-stone!, Feels good.

Fifth project is "Your Body speaks" ,it is about using body language to enhance the delivery of speech. I struggled for topic for this project & then realized that it is not the topic , but how one fills the details in the outline. Hence I choose the subject familiar to me, Yoga. I approached it from the misconceptions about yoga & emphasized that one of the most important aspects of yoga is being aware of "breathing" & Hence the title :

Breath in ,Breath out !

Toastmasters good evening ,

Have you heard of DOGA , D-O-G-A , DOGA is yoga for dogs !.

Is it surprising for you ? It was certainly for me !.

Like this – there are many misconceptions about yoga. Yoga is a sport ,It is a exercise ,work-out . Some says it is just a acrobatics – like standing on head ,or placing your toe on your shoulder , which requires rubber like body , bone-less flexibility !.

These all are misconceptions. It is not real yoga , then what is Yoga ?

General purpose of this talk is to inform you about yoga & specific purpose is to clarify what the real yoga means . I won't go in intricacies of philosophical & theological discussions. But in its simplest form, yoga is “Controlling the mind”.

For instance , you may want to focus on this speech , but get distracted by mail on mobile, phone or voice from next room. Or another example is you get angry with sight of some people, may be your Boss. You get irritated , agitated & gyrating with the idea to kill him !.

This all is originated in mind, a mad monkey like animal , always flickering, wondering & running in all directions.

Yoga is concern of this , how can it control this mad monkey !.

Lets see how it tries this. When you get angry , what is the first visible change ? Your breathing changes its pattern , it looses its balance !.

Lets understand this breathing connection with a example.

Suppose you have gone for trekking , it is hot simmering sunny day. In the scorching weather , you had to walk long, you are sweating , thirsty , your throat is dry ! And suddenly you see the vending machine. Oh what a relief !.

You take out your wallet , insert a 100 yen coin, buy a cold coke or lemon, feel its cool touch, wet your lips , & touch your mouth to it !.

What happened ? Next time observe it carefully , your eyes are closed , breath almost stopped , & mind is super-quiet & calm.

Yes that is the link – your mind & breath are closely connected. Breath is your door-way to your mind. When you loose focus , loose concentration or get angry : you loose your breathing balance.

Breath-n-mind is the greatest contribution of yoga .

Whether you are poor or rich, day-n-night, work or home ,your breath is always with you. If you get in touch with breath & you get in touch with your life.

Yoga teaches that , step-by-step, systematically , methodically & diligently it teaches to monitor your breath-in & breath-out.

Master your breath , master your mind & your destiny too.

Are you convinced now that one of most important element of yoga is breath-control. Dogs can not control breath , hence DOGA can not be yoga. Real yoga is not acrobatics, nor work-out is .

Yoga is beyond that . It is becoming aware of your breath-in & breath-out .

So toast masters - next time someone boasts of yoga , check if he is aware of breathing !!.