For Seekers by Seekers

Bhagavad Gita Ch 11 v.47-end

Bhagavad Gita Ch 11 v38-46

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 - 30-38

Bhagavad Gita Ch 9.15-20

Bhagavad Gita Ch 11 15-20.

1. Includes a segment on raaga/dvesha by Rick.

2. Discussion on developing the practice of vishwa roopa darshanam.

Bhagavad Gita Ch 10 Summary presentation - 2

Bhagavad Gita Ch 10.19 - 10.28

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 10-18

Good discussion on applying the teachings on a day-to-day basis

Gita group discussion on Swami Dayananda's talks from 1976.

Bhagavad Gita Ch 9.11-15

Gita Satsange Slokas 9.6 to 9.10 date 09242023

In this we discuss - existence of the world, karma theory, reincarnation, concept of Brahman ALONE existing; dissonance of why we see the world existing as we perceive it today and don't see it as Brahman. Discuss some metaphors of wind/space, water/reflection, snake/rope (!), post/ghost etc.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Slokas 1-5

Kunti Stuthi concluding slokas

Kunti Stuti Slokas 11-20 08202023 s

Kunti Sthuthi 1-10 shlokas

Gita Satsang Ch 8 Slokas 1-6 06042023

Bhagavan introduces the words - Brahman, Adhyatma, Karma, Adhibhutam, Adidaivam and Adiyagyam

Gita Ch 8 slokas 7-9 on 06112022

We discuss the three powerful slokas on Brahma Tattva and draw similarities between KY, BY, JY and these slokas

24 Life Lessons - from Avadhoota Gita by Subbu

Chapter 7 Review of Gita...continued (3/3)

We conclude Chapter 7 and discuss elaborately the difference between jnana and vijnana - the title of the chapter.

Is this world a perfect world?

If there were a creator, why (s)he chose to create an imperfect world?

How to understand creation?

What are the four types of 'devotees' who pray and for what?

Are we in them? Or not?

Ch 7 Slokas 12 to 15 Gita Satsang 04092023

Learn about what we discuss on rope/snake, mud/pot analogies

Listen to what it means to be the 'thread' for the garland of pearls.

Listen to what it means by dharma, adharma

We continue to debate on jnana, vijnana difference.

Then we analyze why mind, ego, intellect are counted separately albeit they are a product of the pancha bhoothas.

We also discuss ego and what is realization.

This is the concluding part of the revision of Manisha Panchakam by the Gita Satsangis.

In this episode, listen to discussions on the implications of jnana, vijnana words.

Understand what Gita says who is a jnani and what is vijnana.

Revision -1 Manisha Panchakam 03052023 Gita Satsang

We conclude Manisha Panchakam Slokas 4 &5 .

Tat Tvam Asi

We discuss this.

We digress on the importance of Guru and surrender to Guru.

Prof VK, (https://www.profvk.com/) who is a former Deputy Director of BITS Pilani speaks to the Gita Satsang, most of who are Bitsians...and several honorary Bitsians, all tied together at the hip in our journey towards Moksha.  Prof VK's talk about Gita, Vishnusahasranama, Immanence concept, Kshetrajna, Askhara, his insights into 'yata deepo' sloka from Gita, and the significance of 'chinmudra'....is truly amazing.  Enjoy this talk

Gita Satsang 02052023 Manisha Panchakam Sloka 2

We discuss Brahman; individual Atman and how the Jiva can realize the Brahman & Atman are the one and same and it is our true identity

The witness in three states of human experience and the witness in all living entities is exactly the same.

Whoever knows the truth that the witness is none other than the Supreme Consciousness, is a wise man - whoever (s)he is - be (s)he a chandala or a learned person....

Is there a difference in people?

Is 'caste' any factor at all to differentiate people?

Or is differentiation possible at all?

Learn from the interaction of Sankaracharya ("learned Brahmana" with a Chandala ("dog-eater") and how the Chandala corners Sankaracharya with his deep questions about Advaita Vedanta.

And, listen to the insights from the Gita group about these two introductory slokas; don't miss the wonderful chanting by Subbu!

Ajay compares Ashtanga Yoga with Ch 6 of Gita and explains his understanding.

We revise Chapter 6 of Gita.

This episode consists of different speakers each speaking for a short duration (about 15-20min).

Youtube video of this episode is also available if you want to watch it with the slides.

https://youtu.be/Ps6rvChnt1M

In this talk, I present why Sandhyavandanam as a daily practice is an excellent ritual and is in line with the Dhyana as described by Bhagavan in Chapter 6 of Gita.  Drawing on talks by Swami Paramarthananda, Veda Bharathi and Swami Omkarananda as well as my personal practice, I talk about the vision of Sandhyavandana ritual and how it helps to realize our true self.

Youtube video with slides here: https://youtu.be/vxykoU8_Vys.

Link to Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xyf2toc96wEO7dWwarfOfwbYMPwnmd2M/view?usp=share_link

Bhagavad Gita Ch 6.41 - 6.47

This concludes the discussions on Chapter 6.

This talk will help you prepare for Kailash Yatra.

Shared by Ramesh Kaza who did the yatra in 2019.

Suggest you to watch the Youtube video talk as it has beautiful pictures and a presentation.

https://youtu.be/SX2Ctc6FI-E [Part 1]

https://youtu.be/5yP-_EzoM2g [Part 2]

Bhagavad Gita Ch 6.35 - 6.40

Spirited discussions around what happens to our effort if we find ourselves in "no man's land" where we neither gained enlightenment nor enjoyed the material comforts of this world.

Bhagavad Gita Ch 6.30-6.35

Continuing the series on meditation.

Bhagavad Gita Ch 6-25-6.30

Bhgavad Gita Ch 6.20 - 6.25

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6.14-6.19

We discuss slokas 6.6-6.10 of Gita where Bhagavan talks of how to prepare oneself for meditation and what it means to 'uplift oneself by oneself' with some practical examples.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6.1 - 6.5

Discussions on meditation.

Bhagavad Gita Ch 5.25 - 5.29

Based on Swami Paramarthananda's lectures, these summaries were prepared by his students.

In this episode we will render the first 6 chapter summaries of the Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita Ch 5 - 20 - 25

08142022

Vivek's overview of Paramartha Ashram trip

Theory of marginal utility of getting happiness

Spiritual happiness - one will get back once we taste it. One will get back because the happiness experienced is multiplied instead of diminshing utility.

Desire is like an avalanche. Anything that comes in between you and desire means we become angry.

If we reduce expectations, then the influence desires fade away

In the depths of silence, the voice of the Lord is heard.

Is marginal returns applicable for relationships as well?

Gaur Gopal Das's CAR theory - if something is going right or wrong, Change what you can; Avoid being in company of people that are toxic; Rise above even if you cannot do anything.

One should respect oneself in this journey of self-realization.

The more one attaches to anything, one suffers more. Attachment not required - but do your duty.

Children are born through us, and not to us.

We can manifest what we want in relationships. There is no other.

Genuine curiosity in the other helps to manage.

If we want to have peace:

- try to have less than more

- seek to be last rather than first

- seek to do will of others, rather than your own

- in all things recognize and learn to accept the will of God

"I want peace": I is ego, want is desire. Remove ego & desire and you will get peace.

Desire & expectation - what's the relationship

Is what Krishna saying in Ch5 a repeat? Why is he repeating? Are we learning something new?

How to apply the learnings in daily life?

It seems that sometimes, we are pulled between spiritual path and materialistic path.

Sometimes we feel guilty that we are pursuing one and not the other.

Sometimes the pull is intense that we end up neglecting one path.

What is right /wrong thing to do?

What parameters one should use to understand the right thing to do?

If you have had such questions, listen to this episode as the seekers share with each other what worked for them and what did not work for them.

In summary, it is all about keeping the faith in the teachings, and doing as much nishkaama karma as possible; Krishna does not deride us from engaging in kamya-karma: we should only try to minimize it as much as possible.