custom made

Verse 4.32: All these different types of sacrifice are approved by the Vedas, and all of them are born of different types of work. Knowing them as such, you will become liberated.

Over the past several verses, the Gita has outlined the various ways in which an individual can perform sacrifice. Whether it be by selectively exposing oneself to certain sound vibrations, not giving into every whim and fancy of the mind's demands, or practicing breath control, these are just some of the ways one can practice sacrifice.

What is amazing about the different options presented is that fact that:

Different types of sacrifice, as discussed above, are mentioned in the Vedas to suit the different types of worker...these sacrifices are so arranged that one can work either with the body, with the mind or with the intelligence. (Bg. 4.32 purport)

I love this primarily because it means there's something for everyone. This aspect of personalizing and custom-tailoring any practice is so attractive because it takes into account the fact that every living entity, what to speak of every person, is unique and special.

That's what bhakti is all about - addressing the fundamentals that unite all of us in a very personal way. In this case, the various options outlined for performing sacrifice speaks to the fundamental truth that we are all individuals. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for us. This is something we've all had first hand experience of!

I first discovered this when I was going to school. The way in which the majority of school systems are set up are targeted to a certain type of individual - one that can copy down endless notes and excel when placed in exam environments. But what about those who learn visually? Or those who learn tactically? Or those who cannot handle exam situations? The list can go on and on. Thankfully educators are understanding this more and more and the hope is that in the future there will be programs to address this need.

Bhakti yoga has addressed and continues to address this need to craft a personalized program according to the nature and inclination of a person. It does so not only in the arena of sacrifice but in all the various components that serve to comprise the practice of being able to serve with love and gratitude.

It reminds me of a quote which I'll end with today. Something that captures this essence and always fills me with a sense of hope and inspiration:

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

it's all around you...

Verse 4.26: Some of them sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the fire of the controlled mind, and others sacrifice the objects of the senses, such as sound, in the fire of sacrifice.

We are bombarded by sound. It's sad to say, but it's actually hard to find a quiet place these days because the environment is filled with pings, ring tones and email notifications!

With so many competing sounds vying for our attention, it's no wonder that people are finding it harder and harder to focus. There are just too many things that are "calling us."

Interestingly, the process of bhakti yoga begins with hearing. Not distracted hearing, but focused and attentive hearing. After all, hearing is one of the most powerful ways by which we can learn.

The challenge that many of us face is that it's all too easy to forget to about the soul within. Its cries for attention and need for care get drowned out by all the external noise.

This is one of the biggest obstacles the modern yogi faces.

The way to overcome it is by making a sacrifice - the sacrifice of looking within and ensuring that time is made to hear about the needs and interests of the soul. This type of sound vibration is what gives energy and inspiration. In fact, setting aside dedicated time everyday to engage in such hearing from great bhakti texts as the Gita provides the necessary strength to deal with all the other sounds that constantly surround us.

It's a small sacrifice, but one that will bring great results.

home again

Verse 4.25: Some yogīs perfectly worship the demigods by offering different sacrifices to them, and some of them offer sacrifices in the fire of the Supreme Brahman.

It has been ages since I've written. Although numerous legitimate reasons can be given as to why I haven't been able to dedicate the time, it doesn't matter. The effects of not writing are resoundingly clear - I feel totally empty.

Yet coming back to the Gita today doesn't feel awkward or foreign. Instead, I feel welcomed back home! Just like a soft-hearted friend who finds a sweet way to tell us what we need to hear, today's verse is doing the same for me.

The word sacrifice has taken on a new relevance after having stepped away from writing this past month. I realize now that writing was a sacrifice I was performing on a daily basis - one of time and thought. And by taking that sacrifice for granted, I minimized its value.

As we've heard before:

Bhakti is all about attitude and intention.

The moment something becomes routine or automatic, it's time to take a step back and really check in to see where we stand. Have we become complacent? Where and how have our priorities changed? Is there something that is preventing us from experiencing the resolve and determination that we had when our enthusiasm was high?

It's often said that it's much easier to begin something than to maintain it. This phrase takes on a new meaning for me as I can see now how directly connected it is with sacrifice.

In order to maintain and sustain anything, it is impossible to do so without some sacrifice.

Whether it is a sacrifice of energy, time, money or mental resolve, it requires us to do a little bit more, push a little bit harder and give more than we may be willing to in that moment. But for anyone who has put in that sacrifice, they know how sweet the results can be.

In this instance, I'm not speaking about external results that can be measured visibly (although those too may come), but rather I speak to the internal growth one makes. That growth which helps us in our journey of discovering who we really are and becoming spiritual warriors.

a teachable moment...and an intro to mantra meditation

Verse 3.12: In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajña [sacrifice], will supply all necessities to you. But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief.

When we do something for someone else, in one sense, we are performing a sacrifice. We are giving up our time, energy, money and even mental energy to acknowledge someone.

That's exactly what Krsna is saying here. "If you don't "perform sacrifice" for the demigods (empowered beings who are in charge of providing us various necessities), you are not acknowledging their service and therefore may be considered a thief."

No beating around the bush here; we're getting some tough love. And truth be told, for some of us, it may be needed. A jolt, to snap us out of any sense of entitlement we may be experiencing and/or the complete ignorance we may be blissfully be in that at every moment we are the recipients of gifts. Whether it be the air we breath, the use of our limbs or just being able to digest our meals, we are indebted to so many persons.

Ultimately, the person to thank is the Supreme, but I'd like to point out a "teachable moment" here. Although Krsna is the one who is empowering the demigods by giving them the knowledge, ability and facility to provide us with all our necessities, note what He is doing here: Krsna is passing along the credit to the demigods. This not only demonstrates perfect leadership, but by His own example, Krsna is showing us that we should take no one for granted. Everyone should be appreciated and acknowledged for whatever they do.

But I digress...back to the tough love. Acknowledgement is required and it's demonstrated through sacrifice. So what type of sacrifice do we perform then?

The recommended sacrifice that is given in the bhakti texts is that of mantra meditation. A mantra is a spiritual sound vibration which can free the mind from anxiety. If we think about it, why do we experience anxiety? Often it's because we're indebted to someone or something! We need to finish a report for our boss, need to feed the kids, need to plan an event for the thirty people who are coming, etc etc., the list just continues. Mantra meditation removes all this anxiety and in it's place brings about focus and peace.

Still, this might have some of us scratching our heads thinking, "How is mantra meditation sacrifice?" Simply put, mantra meditation requires that we voluntarily use our time to engage in saying these spiritual sound vibrations, and just as importantly, we engage our senses in hearing the mantra. Since mantras are composed of the names of the Divine, by saying and hearing these spiritual sounds, we are essentially making time to re-connect (i.e. yoga) and revive our forgotten relationship with the Supreme. The bhakti texts describe that the names of the Divine are non-different from the Divine Himself.

When you think about it, there's actually a lot more in it for us! Just by sacrificing even a little bit of our time to hear and chant, we get peace and focus, serve to acknowledge all the gifts that we are receiving from the Divine AND re-connect with Him all at the same time!

Another amazing thing about mantra meditation is how practical it is. It can be practiced anywhere, anytime. There is no restriction and limitation as to how and when one can start. This leaves us with one question then - which mantra one do we choose? There are numerous mantras that are offered in the Vedas, but only one is called the greatest mantra (i.e. maha mantra).

That mantra is:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

This sixteen word mantra is so powerful that by just saying it, one gets the benefits of chanting all the mantras that are found in the Vedas.

Simple but so powerful. The perfect sacrifice to express our acknowledgement and appreciation for all the gifts we receive is to engage in mantra meditation.

a little sacrifice goes a long way

Verse 3.10: In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Viṣṇu, and blessed them by saying, "Be thou happy by this yajña [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation."

As I grow older, I'm starting to realize something important. Life is about seeking and making the most out of opportunities. It's so easy to become forlorn and depressed just waiting for things to happen to us. More often than not, what we need to do is open our eyes and look at our present situation and circumstances from a different perspective. The opportunities are there; sometimes we just lack the vision to see it.

In these situations, we need help. Help from someone who has the vision to see opportunities where we may only see the status quo. That is what the Gita offers. It gives us the vision to realize, "Hey, I've only been taking care of my body for so long. I've totally forgotten about the soul inside!" In doing so, a new path opens up to us by which we can practically experience eternality, knowledge and bliss.

That opportunity, as outlined in today's verse, comes in the form of sacrifice. Sacrifice may be associated with words like hard work, pain and struggle; that is, it may seem difficult and uncomfortable. Although those components may be there, it still doesn't delve deep into the spirit of sacrifice, which is an equally important aspect.

Sacrifice comes from a willingness to do something for a higher cause and often results in putting others before our selves. It comes from a place of compassion, care, love and affection and is infused with positivity and gratitude.

One of the most beautiful examples of sacrifice is that of a Mother for her child. Over and over I have witnessed the beauty of this relationship where Mothers' have sacrificed everything from sleep, peace of mind, to even their very lives, for the happiness and well-being of their children. The amazing thing is that they are happy to do this and ask for nothing in return.

That's what the Gita is teaching us today. By offering the results of all our actions to the Divine in a spirit of gratitude, we are practicing sacrifice (i.e. we are taking the time to put the Divine first).

The opportunity is there, the rest is in our hands whether we choose to experience it!

making the sacrifice

Verse 2.44: In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence, and who are bewildered by such things, the resolute determination for devotional service to the Supreme Lord does not take place.

Sacrifice is necessary to achieve anything of substance. For an athlete it's about giving up late nights, junk food and so many other things that gratify the senses. Instead, they are subjected to rigorous practice schedules, rigid sleep times and a coach who guides their training. These athletes are able to follow such a demanding life because they have a long term goal of becoming the best in their particular sport.

So why does society laud the sacrifices that such athletes make and question when anyone else decides to decrease their sense enjoyment and need for material opulence? Just ask any bhakti yogi who first started on their path. In the beginning, oftentimes family and friends just couldn't understand why their loved ones would give up their excess material possessions and stop engaging in activities such as drinking alcohol and eating meat.

The answer is simple. They found something that gave them a higher taste - bhakti yoga. The yoga of love and devotion that gives lasting happiness to the soul.

See, sense enjoyment and material opulence in and of themselves are not negative. It's when we become overly attached to them that they act as obstacles in our quest of understanding who we really are. They act like a drug. We become attached to the temporary high that we get when we engage in them and as soon as that high wears off, we're itching for another hit. They trap us in our conception that we are this body, thereby weakening any determination we may have to pursue bhakti yoga.

We're spiritual beings who have forgotten that we are spiritual. That is the reason why we are left feeling confused all the time and, as some of us have experienced, feel out of place in this world. Krsna is giving us the solution here. He's our coach who, along with his star student, Prabhupada, is setting the guidelines by which we can remember who we really are. The success of the athlete depends greatly on the coach and as bhakti yogis in training, we have the greatest coaches. All we need to do is follow the program.

now vs. later

Verse 1.31: I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear Kṛṣṇa, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness

Here we see Arjuna ponder the question that we face on a daily basis. What's more important - immediate or delayed gratification ? Although everyone likes to say that it's the delayed or long-term rewards that are normally more important, it's very much easier said than done.

The main reason for that is because attaining delayed results requires sacrifice. It requires that we work, without necessarily seeing any results right away, and it also means we need to have faith that what we're doing is worthwhile. If there's no faith, then we'll lose the determination to continue on when we hit one of those "Why am I doing this again?" moments.

This point is so relevant to any aspiring bhakti practitioner because sometimes you feel like nothing is happening. It's very, very common. Long-time practitioners often say that when they first began practicing bhakti yoga it was like ambrosia. They felt the presence of Krsna, everything seemed to come so easy and they felt so happy. But then...the shoe dropped. All of a sudden everything became so difficult. They started seeing so many negative aspects of themselves, they found it difficult to follow various spiritual principles and were shocked.

What happened? The answer these practitioners gave was simple. See, Krsna is the ultimate salesperson. Know when you go to a store and they give you a free sample and you really like it? Well what happens if you want more? Sure maybe the really nice samplers might sneak you an extra one but if you really want more you have to pay. That's right! Where do you think that concept came from? Krsna of course!

So similarly Krsna will give you some free samples. He'll show you, "See how wonderful the practice of bhakti can be?" But then....he'll make you pay because nothing worthwhile is free. Krsna, however, doesn't want your money. He wants something much more valuable - your love. And how does that love practically manifest? Through time, patience, determination, service and all the other intangibles that we often take for granted. Of course, that doesn't last forever, but it's important to realize that when those moments do arise, it's so that we can grow and develop in our bhakti journey.

That being said, the practice of bhakti is also full of lots of immediate experiences and results. Ask anyone who has sat in a kirtan (the singing of mantras accompanied with music), it's instant bliss. Or another example is eating food that has been cooked and offered to Krsna with a beautiful consciousness. These are the things that always keep one going.

So next time it seems like the going is not only going to get rough but also tough, remember - great things come to those who wait (and persevere)!