Share your thoughts about our first meeting.
HI Everyone,
Welcome to the new website and location for all our group correspondence regarding the Bhagavad Gita. At this point I am simply asking about your thoughts and reflections on the first meeting. Anything goes, from the meeting itself to a select verse from chapter 1 or 2, whatever inspires you. From there we can formulate the following topics. The previous meeting and this preliminary written dialogue should spark a fresh round of ideas. One of those ideas will be the basis of our next topic. Have at it!
This entry was posted on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 12:23 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
March 21st, 2010 at 12:35 pm
love the new website.
March 21st, 2010 at 2:06 pm
so glad you like it. it’s exactly what I wanted.
March 21st, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Ok. I will go first. I loved that so many people came out. Lots of different levels of experience too. I am always surprised that men often make up a significant portion in classes at Near East but in this case there was better than %50 represented. The discussion was lively. Hearing a bit from everyone is a theme I want to continue to develop. Dennis surely added to the substance of the direct discussion of the text and themes which was needed for such a deep book. I am hoping after this initial expression we can dig in on the text and get a good foundation for the next time we meet.
March 21st, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Well, I didn’t go to the first meeting. It sounds like it went well though with such a good turn out. Do people choose a selection to focus on for the next one ahead of time?
And the website looks great, but Casey, what about pictures? Perhaps I’m missing them somehow.
Also, I’m really excited that you’ve introduced the crow element. I’d love to hear more about that, and I think that it should find its way into the window.
See you soon. I return to portland tomorrow.
March 21st, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I thought the discussion was interesting. I think I was barely keeping up with it as I probably belong in Bhagavad Gita 101 and this felt more advanced based on how much a lot of the group seemed to know about the book. I’m really not sure what this book has to do with yoga, but then again I haven’t been practicing or studying yoga for very long. I would be interested in discussing what was really meant by the word yoga when this book was written or chanted or however it was communicated – in chapter 2 for instance, “Hear now the wisdom of Yoga, path of the Eternal and freedom from bondage”. What did yoga represent back then?
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:45 pm
I think the varying levels of knowledge in the group will prove to be an asset for a collective evolution. Through beginner’s mind new insight develops under the tutelage of seasoned practitioners. We all feed each other in this way.
As for “what did yoga represent”…. This work establishes yoga as righteous living. It is a way of being in the world driven by something bigger than “I” or “ego”. The passage Martha cited serves to elaborate this path. It is a state in which one fulfills purpose as decreed by something that is for the highest good. Being freed from worldly attachment that comes in numerous guises one maintains peaceful equanimity to the inherent opposites of living in a human form. Thus one may have things but not feel sorrow when they are taken away. One may acquire power but the means for its acquisition are through right action and dutiful purpose not deceit or treachery. The story’s battle to be waged was to dispel corruption and restore order. Ultimately, this is what the yoga does, dispelling that which is tarnished with sensory desire and allowing the heart to resonate with the all-pervasive frequency of truth.
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I think next time we should force people into speaking out…:) maybe go around the circle and get everyone involved and speak out their own thoughts on the book.
I thought the discussion was interesting and I was so amazed to see that so many people are interested in the Gita. I thought for sure there will only be like 5 people at the meeting, but I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people. I hope more people get involved in the online discussion and in the meetings. I say we should make those meetings an ongoing thing. We could learn so much about each other and the Gita.
I find Gita to be a very special book and I am so glad that it fell into my hands. There are so many stories about Gita and so many interpretations out there, but I really like the one that Yogananda wrote: The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
http://www.essenceofthegita.com/
the site links to talk series and they are amazing to watch.
I think there were many truths said at our last meeting and again I was so surprised to see so many people interested in this subject and also to see how much knowledge they have.
I think Hinduism is a way of life and it brought me so much happiness as I understand myself a lot better when I read the sacred texts and practice yoga. To me happiness is understanding myself at all times.
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Awesome! What great stuff. The idea of “hearing” about yoga that Martha brought up makes me think of what the Gita seems to represent as a whole- hearing (in this case reading) a set of attributes that describe the steps one can take to attain a life like Erin pointed out allowed the heart to resonate. The questions will come up and and get answered in turn. Everyone has a first glance at this book and often it is confusing but also can be illuminating. Also, back in the day most people did not posses the ability to read so they had to “hear” the lessons via a storyteller. These guys are the comic book heros of their time often doing the right thing under the worst situations.
I hope to pry a bit into people’s comfort zone about speaking in the group. It’s in this forum that we will decide what questions we really have and then bring them up next month. Any method coming to mind? please share.
March 26th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Thanks Casey, and everyone who participated in the first meeting and in this ongoing discussion. It’s a real pleasure to be involved. My response here was primarily stimulated by Martha’s question of what yoga means, or what it originally represented.
The denotation (naked, exact meaning) of the word yoga indicates a method of union, a way of reconnecting. Philosophically the idea is that we have lost touch with our divine potential of true peace & lasting happiness. Our English word “yoke” is linguistically related to the Sanskrit term yoga.
In East Indian (“Hindu”) culture four basic types of yoga are recognized: Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Raja yoga. Jnana yoga is the method of intense self-inquiry, often centered on the constant questioning of “Who (or what) am I?” and “What is the reality behind appearances?” This is the quantum physics of yoga.
Karma yoga is the method of abandoning the illusion of a separate self (selfishness) by acting (karma) without attachment or clinging to the results of one’s actions. People who do volunteer work and make charitable donations are performing Karma yoga.
Bhakti yoga is the method of love and devotion. At its pinnacle it is the ecstatic union with the divine. Ritual practices, reciting religious stories (myths & parables), and singing devotional songs (hymns & kirtans) are primary methods on this path. Surrender to a higher authority (making oneself humble) is a key feature. Most major religions are basically versions of Bhakti yoga.
Raja yoga (“royal union”) is synonymous with Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga. The well known systems of yoga poses (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) are only two of the eight steps in this rigorous system. The flexibility of body and breath control is really just the foundation for further practices to gain flexibility and control of the mind. The much misunderstood Tantric yoga is an offshoot of Raja yoga.
Most practitioners focus on one of the yogas but also include some parts of one or more of the others in their practice. For example, you might practice yoga vinyasa at Near East Yoga and also chant along with Jai Uttal and Krishna Das as well as volunteer at the Oregon Food Bank – a combination of Raja, Bhakti and Karma yogas.
March 27th, 2010 at 10:05 am
speaking of Krishna Das… what a great performance he put on this last Thursday at the Crystal Ballroom. Always great to see him perform. Another great performer is Bhagavad Das. Although he is not as talented as Krisha Das, he is very charismatic and what a interesting life he had. I’ve read his book “It’s here now (Are you?)”. I’ve learn that all three Das”ese”: Bhagavad Das, Krisha Das and Ram Das had the same guru Sri Neem Karoli Baba Maharajji. Bhagavad Das was the first one to be his disciple and he introduced Ram Das to the guru. I loved Bhagavad Das book. He was so deep into spirituality on his journey. He spent years in India meditating. He is also a really nice guy and I always love his performances too.
speaking of yoga and spirituality… what a great gift they are to the world. Makes me feel so good practicing. No matter what path you choose, the ultimate goal is the same: to unite with the infinite. It does not happen to everyone, but there is still happiness and joy that comes from understanding one’s self while practicing yoga and spirituality.
and if one wonders what does Bhagavad Gita has to do with yoga, in my understanding Bhagavad Gita talks about yoga a lot.
March 28th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Hi everyone! Thanks for showing up to the meeting. I was really happy to have an intellectual/spiritual forum to discuss the Gita. I really love the idea of everybody coming together to express and deepen our understanding of our yoga practice. I think that yoga is simply a method to get us in touch with our egoless selves and that the process is very individual which makes discussing it challenging. One of the challenges for me is that I have a problem with the idea of karmic based reincarnation. In our discussion we talked about the notion of selfless work and not working or practicing for the sake of reward. I view the accumulation of karma through good work as an extension of practicing for the sake of a reward if viewed through the lens of reincarnation. Historically, it seems that the notion of karma and caste has been used to subjugate and oppress people. Does a child with cancer ‘deserve’ their plight? I’m sure my understanding is limited and I value the believe in the lessons and truths of the Gita but I find myself dancing around this one. Any thoughts?
April 20th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
My favorite, and admittedly simple, definition of yoga came from a Thervadan source: “Yoga is the discipline of the mind in order to cultivate alternative states of consciousness and insight.”
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:03 am
that’s an interesting question Doug… and I think John kind of answered it. I agree with John. Not sure about reincarnation, and if we deserve our karma, but unless they come up with medication to cure all illnesses and to make us live hundreds of years, I like to find those answers in Yoga. there is a chapter in yoga sutras that talks about all the miracles and powers a yogi can perform. I think we are all yogis and perform miracles every day. Scientists are yogis that perform miracles everyday.Yoga is life and that is why I am happy to have found it. and you never know, maybe one day one scientist will prove that we do reincarnate…:) I think they are doing experiments in Geneva to look for the “God” particle, so you really never know….
April 26th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
It seems to me that reincarnation is nothing more than the concept of redemptive self that we see in all religions. If you live a just and compassionate life, you will be rewarded (I’m sure Joseph Campbell covered this). Some call the reward “heaven” and some call it “nirvana”. The Gita tells us that if we lead such a life, even if we don’t achieve nirvana, we can at least expect to lead a redemptive future life. I try not to get hung up on any of the literal stuff and cling more to the message. As for the notion of innocent suffering, we will always questions the injustices of any supposedly compassionate “god/higher power” regardless of our religious orientation.
May 3rd, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I was both grateful for, and a bit overwhelmed by Casey’s teaching of the Perusa last evening. I felt like I got the Cliffs Notes, 1 hour condensed version of a semester-long college class in Eastern creation theory. The follow-on discussion was also very illuminating. Thanks to all!