don't be fooled

Verse 4.6: Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living entities, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form.

We live in a crazy, mixed up world these days. With the external pressures of life mounting constantly, it is no wonder that many of us are searching for something real and genuine to hang onto. However, the modern day spiritual seeker or truth seeker has many more obstacles facing their journey then they would have even fifty years ago.

With the advent of the internet, social media and so many other pieces of technology out there, anyone's voice can be heard and can create a significant impact. That on its own isn't necessarily a bad thing, however it does pose a challenge when the number of self-proclaimed "Gods" out there seems to be ever increasing.

This is what Krsna is addressing today in this verse. He is stating some of the pre-requisites or qualifications, if we may call it that, of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. More will be listed shortly, but to begin with we hear that the Divine is:

1. unborn
2. has a transcendental body that never deteriorates
3. is the Lord of all living entities
4. appears in every millennium in His original transcendental form

and

5. remembers all births of all living entities (Verse 4.5).

Such is the scientific nature of bhakti yoga. The personality of the Divine is not conspicuous by its absence, rather His personality and traits are well documented and revealed to all who desire to hear about them.

Bhakti texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam are rich with detailed descriptions of the Divine which are not only given personally by Krsna Himself, but by His dear most lovers.

So the next time someone may claim themselves to be God and is trying to convince you - don't be fooled. Instead, ask them to pass the test of meeting the five characteristics that have been named above.

action, adventure movie star

Verse 2.72: That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. If one is thus situated even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God.

We all want to live eternally. I'm talking about eternal, ever-lasting happiness where we are not subject to birth, disease, old age and death, not the "live eternally in the material world where we are subjected to temporary happiness and distress".

It's natural and normal for all of us to feel this way because that is our rightful position. The soul is eternal, full of knowledge and is always happy. Why else do you think there's a thriving multi-trillion dollar cosmetic industry out there that's promising the ever-elusive fountain of youth? They are selling us an illusion of happiness and eternality. If we can look younger, some of us can fool ourselves that we are not aging (i.e. getting closer to death).

"Just wear this make-up, use this skin-firming cream or even better, get this botox injection! No one will ever be able to tell how old you are." That's the message we are bombarded with daily. Having read Chapter 2, we can now understand why we may feel tempted to buy into this propaganda - because we want to get back to our original nature.

The thing is, experiencing the incredible qualities that are inherent to the soul doesn't come cheap. For lifetimes, we have been playing into the illusory material spell of temporary fixes. Short term fixes which just fail to satisfy our innermost longings.

Now, for many of us, we are being given this priceless gift of yoga. An opportunity to connect, not just with our true selves, but with the Supreme. It's a process that takes time, effort, determination and guidance. It's filled with excitement, adventure, new discoveries and incredible moments. On the flip side, it's also filled with challenges that come in the form of our own minds and past experiences. At such times, we may stumble and fall, want to throw a tantrum, quit and just go back to "the way things used to be".

Good to think of yourself as staring in your own action, adventure movie when facing with those moments. The hero (you) can't really be a hero if they don't face obstacles. They always have trusty friends who help them (in this case, bhakti mentors and even the Gita) and have their moments of crises that re-define them (moments of doubt and helplessness). The goal (for all of us who are aspiring to be the hero in our personal movie) is the same - to re-establish a loving relationship with the Supreme. The process is the same but the path is individual and unique. After all, each movie has to be different, or else it'll get too boring!

We may encounter unwanted and unwelcome guests, get lost in the forest or feel helpless. Don't worry! It's all part of the plot twists. Just know that persevering on will get us our hearts' desire - to love and be loved, eternally and happily.

what is devotion?

Verse 2.51: By thus engaging in devotional service to the Lord, great sages or devotees free themselves from the results of work in the material world. In this way they become free from the cycle of birth and death and attain the state beyond all miseries [by going back to Godhead].

The word devotion may bring up all types of images and feelings. In the context of bhakti yoga, devotion means love in action. Not only does one experience emotion towards God, but one expresses it by their behaviour, thoughts and actions.

Mere sentimentality is not enough though. Love needs to be expressed and demonstrated. The Lord is a person who also has feelings and emotions and so just saying, "I love you" and then forgetting about the Supreme doesn't really mean much. Think of someone you really love and are really close to. Do you just simply say "I love you" and do nothing else for them? No way! We do everything in our capacity to serve and please the ones' we love.

The thing is, most of us have forgotten that we love God. Some might even say, "Hey wait a minute, I'm not even sure I believe in God." But that's like saying, "I don't believe there's such a thing as a billion dollars." When asked why, the person might respond "Because I've never seen it or because I don't have it." But those who have a billion dollars definitely know that it exists. It's just a matter of being exposed to it.

Similarly, we may not have been exposed to the knowledge that we ourselves are spiritual and are parts and parcels of God. That's right! We're qualitatively one and the same (i.e. we are spiritual) but quantitatively different. Prabhupada, our master bhakti teacher, illustrates the point by giving a very apt analogy of a gold fleck and the gold mine. The fleck is non-different from the gold mine since it is made of the same element, but quantitatively there's a huge difference.

That's why we can never be God. The position is already taken. But because we are part and parcel of the Lord, the way we can be eternally happy is by making him happy. That formula is being shared here.

See, some of us may not be at that stage where we love God with all our heart and being. We might just be beginning to reconnect and recognize our connection with him (like me). That's why God (who has numerous names including Krsna), is giving us an easy yogic process. By performing our work in a spirit of acknowledgement that all our talents and resources are blessings, we express our gratitude by offering whatever results that come to him. In this way, we become free of karma. We don't need to totally change our life, give up everything and go to the forest. Just by cultivating this attitude of gratitude, we begin to start developing real feelings towards God and see the manifestation of grace in our lives.

By doing this, the day will come where we won't just practice bhakti yoga anymore...instead, we will live a life of bhakti and devotion.

acting without attachment to the result - a practical step by step guide.

Verse 2.48: Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.

~This post is dedicated to my spiritual guide and all my bhakti mentors. Without your love, gentle chastisement, continuous encouragement and empowerment, I would be lost.~

Yesterday I went to my weekly yoga/pilates class. At the end of the class, during the relaxation period, the instructor asked everyone to focus on their breathing. She added, "If thoughts come to your mind, acknowledge them with compassion and let them go." I was left thinking, "What in the world does that mean? Acknowledge your thoughts with compassion." It sounds really beautiful, but how does one actually go about doing it?

In a similar vein, many persons today, equate yoga with feeling peaceful. My question to all of you today is, what does peace mean? That's the challenge with words. No one actually decodes the intangibles like peace, compassion, humility etc., as what is given in the dictionary. They are coloured by our experiences and perceptions. That's why spirituality, which promotes the development of so many of these intangible characteristics, can be confusing to many.

This is why bhakti yoga is not only practical but complete, as it not only gives one the process but explains what the outcome is. Here, a very beautiful and practical definition of yoga is given - "Practice your duty in an equipoised frame of mind, abandoning all attachment to success or failure." Let's stop and really understand what the word equipoised means as, for most of us, this is not a common word we use in our vernacular. Simply put it means balanced or equilibrium.

In the context of yoga, equipoised means to do things for the sake of doing it and giving up the attitude and motivation of "I'm doing this because somehow it will benefit me."

The thing is, we all need some motivating force to drive us to accomplish something. If we don't have one, we won't do anything! Wouldn't you agree? So that begs the question, "If I'm not doing this for me, then what should motivate me?" One could respond and say, "Well, the motivation why I do certain things is certainly not centered on me. I'm motivated because I'm doing it for my friends, family, my country or even for the world." To this, the Gita replies, "Wonderful! That is huge step up from always focusing on ourselves!"

However, like any well-wishing coach or guide who wants to help us attain the best goal possible, Krsna gives us something even higher to strive for. That's right, we can actually operate on even higher motivating principle.

So what is that principle? Prabhupada, our wonderful bhakti guide and teacher, explains in the purport, "Yoga means to concentrate the mind upon the Supreme by controlling the ever-disturbing senses." See the step-wise progression? Let's break it down.

In order to perform one's duties in an equipoised frame of mind (i.e. in yoga):

1. One needs to control the ever-disturbing senses. The senses are like tentacles that are always trying to grab some object so that they can derive some pleasure from it. So how do we control the senses? By purifying them. More on that to come later!

2. One concentrates the mind upon the Supreme. This can be a hard one for many people. The simplest way, however, is to engage in mantra meditation. Simply by repeating transcendental sound vibration, it immediately calms the mind and focuses it. If you've never tried it, just try repeating the simple mantra "Govinda".

3. When one concentrates the mind upon the Supreme, one of the effects we experience is that of gratitude. How's that? Mantra meditation naturally results in the transfer of one's attention from oneself to a higher consciousness. When we tap into that higher consciousness, the worries and anxieties that normally swirl through our mind are exposed for what they really are - temporary and insignificant. That's not to imply that we don't need to take care of them. It means we take care of them with the proper perspective, and thereby don't experience the anxiety factor.

4. This leads one to feeling grateful. Grateful to the Supreme who is always taking care of us and is looking to help us. When we really feel grateful, we want to find a way to demonstrate it to the object of our gratitude, don't we? This is the motivation that drives us - we offer everything we do in appreciation of our gratitude to the Supreme.

In this way, we can be equipoised and naturally give up our obsession with success or failure. We become inspired to do our very best since it's an expression of our gratitude for all that we have been given, but notice how the attachment has changed! It's very subtle. We become attached to offering our best and become unattached to the conception of successful and failure. As they say, "It's the thought that counts." We don't realize it, but it's actually true!

And the best part of it all? The Gita states that the Supreme doesn't measure success or failure the way we do. It's the motivation that matters, and if we become attached to offering our best in a spirit of gratitude, there is nothing greater than that.

here's how it works

Verse 2.45: The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.

If you want to know how to get the most out of something, you need to understand how it works - in depth. Bhakti yoga offers the rare opportunity to understand the underlying framework of the world we're in. Not only is this information interesting, in and of itself, but it also offers us insight as to how we function and what influences us. One of these topics has already been introduced - the concept of karma.

Another subtle force that affects us at all times is described herein as the three modes of material nature. Another way to understand the three modes is to consider them as influences which impact not only our behavior but our emotional, mental and physical state of being; they are categorized as goodness, passion and ignorance.

Imagine being covered under a blanket. That blanket is made by weaving yarn made up of three different colours. As long as you are under the blanket, those three pieces of yarn will always touch you. Similarly, we can consider this world like a blanket which is weaved together by the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. Depending on our inclination and propensities, we become influenced by the modes of nature in different ways. This is the reason why we act in particular ways, even against our better judgement.

But you may ask, "I still don't get it. How am I getting influenced?" This is where the subtleties of bhakti yoga start to become revealed. Everything we associate with influences us, whether we realize it or not. From the people we spend time with, the things we read and the food we eat, the modes, which taint everything, have an impact us.

Yes! Did you know that even food influences us? The bhakti texts describe that those foods which are nourishing and healthy and include items such as grains, fruits and vegetables promote goodness. Foods that promote passion include items that are overly spicy, salty and sour and those that may be categorized as promoting ignorance are those that are stale and are decomposing.

So why is it important to understand this? As was mentioned in the beginning, to get the most out of something, you need to understand how it works. This knowledge helps us to understand why we choose to do the things we do and why we have and maintain certain attitudes. Yes, we come with a certain nature or personality and we are receiving the results of our past actions. However, this information helps us in choosing what to do now. By realizing there are things that can influence us favorably and unfavorably, we are given the opportunity to make educated choices as to what our future will look like.

It's easy to stay on the superficial and just pretend that everything is "just happening". However, this incredible knowledge gives us the understanding to get a glimpse of the inner workings of the world and make the most of this body and this life.

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.

if you don't know where you're going...

Verse 2.42-43: Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.

Not only is goal setting important, but in any practice or activity we perform, it's just as important to know what the top-most achievable goal actually is. Take for example school. I don't know about you, but one of the reasons why I found University so challenging was largely due to the fact that I didn't have an end goal in mind. I only had an intermediate goal which was to graduate with a degree in Biochemistry, hoping that somehow in the process I would figure out what I would want to do.

I chose to major in Biochemistry mainly because those were the subjects that I got the highest marks in in high school. When I entered first year University and my grades took a nose-dive, I remember feeling so stressed out. Not only did I realize that I had to learn how to learn, but I felt that the majority of the courses I had to take were uninteresting and useless. As second year and third year rolled around, I learned how to teach myself, but still felt unsatisfied. For years I didn't understand why. It's only know that I understand it's because all that knowledge and information was just that - knowledge and information. I couldn't put it into context of a larger picture of how and when I was going to apply it. Because of that University was more about grades as opposed to understanding the application of the subjects I was studying.

Here, Krsna is saying something very similar about the process of yoga. He's saying, "Don't just get attached to the external results of what yoga can give you that will simply help to gratify your senses. Understand that there is a higher purpose, a higher goal and strive towards that." Just like I was short-sighted in simply striving for a degree, here the student of yoga is being advised to see beyond the short-term benefits of what yoga has to offer.

So what is the top-most goal one can achieve in practicing yoga? Bhakti. The ability to truly tap into our loving propensity by realizing who we are (the soul) and reviving our eternal and increasingly joyful relationship with the Supreme. Now practically speaking, that may seem a little bit difficult to conceptualize for one who just wants to apply principles of yoga in their life or is just starting their yoga practice, but that's ok. The point is that everyone should be aware that there is an ultimate goal in yoga.

In the meantime, go on and set your intermediary goals. Whether that goal is to simply make it to your yoga class on a weekly basis, to engage in mantra meditation daily or to offer everything you do in a spirit of gratitude, that's wonderful. We all need to take the first step. But from time to time, check and in and see where you're at. That highest goal is only achievable if you know where you're going. Otherwise, if don't know where you're going, as the saying goes, any road will take you there.

the key to getting out of a bad contract

Verse 2.39: Thus far I have described this knowledge to you through analytical study. Now listen as I explain it in terms of working without fruitive results. O son of Pṛthā, when you act in such knowledge you can free yourself from the bondage of works.

"Knowledge is power." Sound familiar? My question has always been, "What kind of power does it give you?" The answer is finally revealed today in this verse of the Gita.

True knowledge gives us the power to free ourselves from the bondage of work. That bondage of work is more commonly known as karma. I find it interesting that the word karma is used quite commonly these days as another way of saying "You got (or will get) what's coming to you." It actually puts into perspective what karma is all about: a binding contract.

However, karma is no ordinary contract; it's one that you can't get out of! If we operate on the good karma and bad karma platform, there's no escape. As well, there's no cancelling of each other out! So for all of you out there thinking, I'll just do x amount of "good" things to cancel out the "bad". Sorry! No can do. It just doesn't work like that

If you perform some "good" activity then you are due to receive something "good" in return. Same rules apply with performing "bad" activities. But like all contracts, we're either blissfully unaware of or ignore the fine print which reads: That reaction that's due to come to you may not come in this lifetime. It may come in later lifetimes.

Any intelligent business person knows that that's a BAD deal. Would you enter into a contract knowing fully well that your investment may not come in this lifetime? I sure wouldn't!

Say you did sign on the dotted line and got yourself wrapped up in this bad mess. What do you do then? You immediately call the most brilliant lawyer you can find a loop hole or way out. That's exactly what Krsna is presenting to us here today - our ticket out.

So how do we get out? Come back tomorrow to find out!

a lesson in reading

Verse 2.37: O son of Kuntī, either you will be killed on the battlefield and attain the heavenly planets, or you will conquer and enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, get up with determination and fight.

When reading, do you imbibe the true meaning of the shapes and letters your eyes are taking in? Answer honestly now. :) I freely admit that I often read but don't truly ingest what I'm looking at.

Case in point, today's verse. As I was reading the verse, my attention fell upon the word "determination." Captured by that word, I decided to do something new- I looked up its etymology. What I came across surprised me and threw the meaning of this verse into a completely different light.

My definition of "determination" is a mix of these adjectives: strong-willed, perseverance, not giving up. However, looking on the online etymology dictionary, I was intrigued to find out that this word is derived from the mid-14th century Old French word déterminacion (decision, sentence) and from the Latin word determinationem (conclusion, boundary). For those who may not be so familiar, etymology not only refers to the derivation of a word but the chronological account of its birth, development and evolving changes in form and meaning (as per dictionary.com).

What's interesting is that the definition of determination has changed over the years. Its meaning went from decision or conclusion to the quality of being resolute. Now one might protest and say, "Well that's the same thing, isn't it?" My humble answer to that question is yes and no.

See, it's easy to say "the quality of being resolute" if one knows how to be resolute. That's where the problem lies. How does one become resolute? The original definition gives the complete picture because it gives one the tools of how to be resolute - make up your mind! Come to a conclusion, decision and stick with it!

That's what being determined really means. It means nothing can sway you from your path/choice. In fact, it makes me realize that my original understanding of the word "determination" was quite inadequate. Being strong-willed and not giving up are important factors, but that can only come into play if you are truly convinced and fixed.

Why is this word so important? Because that's what it takes to follow through on any decision, whether it be fighting for righteousness and protection, as is the case for Arjuna, or attempting to follow a spiritual path, like that of bhakti yoga.

Determination is crucial in the path of bhakti since one faces so many impediments, the most dangerous of them being the mind. The fickle mind flits about from idea to idea and never likes to rest in one place. The thing is, love isn't about being fickle. Love is about steadiness and depth which doesn't come easy. It takes great determination to stick to a practice, person or relationship and that's how bhakti (the yoga of love) helps us in not only connecting with the Supreme, but with one another.

So the next time you feel yourself floundering when it comes to your personal practice, whether it be listening to the sound of the mantra you are chanting or simply taking the time to read a bhakti text, take heart. Determination is about conviction, making a conscious choice of commitment and never giving up.

becoming a spiritual warrior

Verse 2.36: Your enemies will describe you in many unkind words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful for you?

Pain is a type of suffering, distress. It comes in different forms whether it be physical, mental or emotional. That, everyone will agree with. What most people would concur with is the fact that pain should be avoided at all costs.

However, what's interesting is where people differ in their attitude towards pain. For example, if we polled a group of individuals, it would become clear that people differ in their perception of pain. One man's pain can easily be another one's pleasure. Along with perception, people also tend to have various thresholds of pain. For example, some may be able to tolerate high doses of physical pain but may fall to pieces when exposed to a hint of emotional pain.

Here, we are introduced more deeply to how pain can be perceived depending on the individual. Specifically, Krsna here is pointing out for that person who is a warrior/leader/protector, such as Arjuna, the greatest pain for such a person is derision. It's not insult to the body that such a person feels afflicted by but insult to one's character and example.

I found this to be an interesting point which led me to recognize something I witness everyday but don't necessarily do anything about - it is so easy to hurt each other. Often we forget that pain is not limited solely to the physical, which more often than not, heals faster and more easily than the emotional scars and traumas that we cause by our careless words and actions.

One great bhakti practitioner coined a beautiful phrase which I'd like to share with you today. He said that we should aspire to become "spiritual warriors". Instead of arming ourselves with insults, derogatory remarks and flippant sarcasm, instead we arm ourselves with compassion, well-wishes and words of encouragement for one another.

There is a lot of pain out in the world today. The question that needs to be posed is, "Who out there wants to help heal it?" It's too easy to point the finger at one another and say "You caused it!" That just keeps the cycle going. Instead, we need to first desire to become spiritual warriors. Those warriors that, as the great bhakti text Srimad Bhagavatam describe, aspire to the ideal of "The lovers of the Lord are so forbearing that even though they are defamed, cheated, cursed, disturbed, neglected or even killed, they are never inclined to avenge themselves."

That's a pretty high ideal. In fact, for most of us, it may seem impossible! However, it's important to have an ideal or a goal to strive towards. Whether we only imbibe one percent of that statement or ninety, the fact is we become all the better for attempting to become such empowered individuals. Why not aim for the moon? After all, even if we fall, we'll land amongst the stars!

With respect to becoming a spiritual warrior, it's important to recognize and remember the saying, "Physician, heal thyself." For most of us, we first need to recognize the scars and hurt that we've experienced and let go of it. It's hard to help others when we ourselves are suffering. However, it doesn't mean that it's impossible. Such is the beauty of bhakti. Bhakti not only helps the process of self-healing but also helps one to recognize and help others simultaneously.

In a world that's becoming more and more impersonal by the day, this is an invitation to become more personal and more loving. Are you in?

do you want to be famous?

Verse 2.35: The great generals who have highly esteemed your name and fame will think that you have left the battlefield out of fear only, and thus they will consider you insignificant.

Do you long for fame? Do you want to be recognized and adored for being expert at something or contributing meaningfully to the world? I think there are few persons who could actual answer "No!" honestly to that question.

The bhakti texts describe how fame and adoration can actually be impediments for the aspiring spiritual practitioner. They don't say that it will be an impediment, but that they can be. It depends on how one actual uses name and fame. If used in the spirit of helping others understand that they are an eternal soul who has forgotten their loving relationship with the Supreme, then wonderful. But if used solely to promote one's own self for personal adoration, then definitely it acts as a barrier.

But that's not what I really want to talk about today. I want to talk about the downside of fame, which is something most people often ignore. I think it's necessary that one is educated about the pitfalls since so many people want to be famous. Then, at least a person knows what they are getting themselves into.

That is exactly what Krsna is talking about here. Arjuna is famous not only for being an expert archer, but being the best archer in the world. Krsna is reminding Arjuna here that fame doesn't come cheap. It means one is scrutinized in everything that one does. All sense of privacy is lost. In fact, such a person's life becomes an open book. The only way one can live such a life sanely is by behaving in an exemplary manner. If one doesn't, not only is one's good name dragged through the mud, but all faith and trust is also lost in such an individual. These are the intangibles that money can never buy back.

Furthermore, there will always be different types of people who will be looking to bring you down. Those who are envious and also want to be well recognized for the same achievements and talents that you have. Those who also have similar talents and want to become better than you and those who just want fame and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

Finally, and Krsna specifically makes reference to this point here, there will be those who have been looking up to you as a role model or example. Such persons may be well-wishers or competitors but it doesn't matter. They are bound together by one thing- respect for you. If you fail to live an exemplary life, such persons will lose respect for you. Out of all these possibilities, this is what hurts a self-respecting individual the most.

So think long and hard if you want to be famous and look to see what motivates you. That motivation can act as roadmap to discover what it is you really want. A lot of times people just want to be recognized since they equate it to being loved. The thing is, love has nothing to do with numbers. It has everything to do with connection.

If you can touch people's lives by being the ear they can listen to, the shoulder they can cry on and the steady rock in their life, that's even greater than being famous. After all, that's what yoga is all about. It's about connection. Bhakti yoga is about connecting through love. So go ahead and make some soul connections. After all, fame is fleeting. Establishing meaningful relationships with each other, while keeping God in the centre, is eternal.

topsy-turvy

Verse 2.34: People will always speak of your infamy, and for a respectable person, dishonor is worse than death.

Dishonour is worse than death. Powerful words. For a person who lives by these words, it means that their good name is everything to them. Funny isn't it? Everything is so topsy-turvy nowadays. So many of our "celebrities" have a made a name for themselves due to doing something dishonourable. In fact, it doesn't matter whether one is famous or infamous anymore, all that matters is that they are known.

The bhakti texts speak of how name, fame, adoration, prestige and wealth can blind one to what is really important - our relationship with the Supreme. All of these attributes may appear to satisfy the mind, but do they really satisfy the heart? Although we hear time and again that they don't, why are so many people out there willing to sacrifice everything, even their good name, for a few fleeting moments of fame?

Here, Krsna is explaining to Arjuna what true honour is all about. It's about fulfilling one's duty.

It's important to note though that Krsna is speaking in stages in trying to convince Arjuna to do the right thing. First he spoke on the highest level- you are the soul and you need not lament for the material body. Then Krsna speaks from the perspective of the body. "Ok Arjuna, if you can't act on the level of the soul, then realize that along with this body comes a specific nature. Work in line with that nature." Now Krsna is speaking to Arjuna on the emotional level to convince him to do the right thing.

Just see the different perspectives that Krsna offers! Although the eternal bhakti perspective is the most important, Krsna does not discount other perspectives. This is the beauty of bhakti. There's something for everyone on all levels. So whether you are just curious about the bhakti path or are trying to make it the centre of your life, you'll always walk away with something invaluable.

fight!

Verse 2.33: If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.

Krsna is encouraging Arjuna to fight. Growing up with the culture of bhakti being practiced by my parents, I have to admit that this always confused the heck out of me! The path of bhakti is all about compassion, love, tolerance, humility and respect. Krsna encouraging Arjuna to fight seems completely contradictory to the essence of bhakti. So what gives?

It was only when I studied the Gita under the guidance of extremely advanced and qualified bhakti practitioners that I began to understand something crucial. There is a time and place for everything. Nothing is good or bad. Take for example a knife. In an expert surgeon's hand, it's an instrument of healing and help whereas in the hands of a criminal it can be used to inflict harm.

In this case, Arjuna is a leader, an administrator and a protector. Therefore it is his duty to take care of those who depend on him. Duryodhana, who wrongfully usurped the kingdom, is not a qualified leader due to the fact that he took power through trickery and force. We forget that the consciousness of anyone in a position of power has a direct impact on others. In this case, since Duryodhana is the epitome of selfishness, deceit and unlawfulness, this is what would get propagated within the kingdom.

Krsna is not asking to Arjuna to fight for himself, but on behalf of his subjects who need to be saved from this type of rule. Imagine a parallel situation. A thug is harassing someone on the road. A policeman is witnessing the situation and realizes that to help the victim, he might need to inflict some force on the thug. Thinking that utilizing force is always bad, he simply walks away. Do you think the policeman did the right thing?

Most people would probably agree that the policeman's inaction could be considered even worse than what the thug was doing! It is the policeman's duty to help those who are in need. The application of force and fighting is sometimes necessary to help those who are dependent and helpless.

Consciousness is also extremely important. Krsna is not encouraging Arjuna to fight so that he can enjoy the kingdom. Similarly, the policeman or law enforcement officer should not be motivated to help others just for recognition. It is a duty, a responsibility.

In today's day and age, the concept of acting in the right consciousness and out of duty are foreign concepts, what to speak of the fact that we don't have very qualified leaders and protectors. But that doesn't mean that the aspiring bhakti yogi doesn't fight. Oh no, we do. Our fight though is against our mind that compels us to remain complacent and lazy when actually we should endeavour to be spiritually active. Reading bhakti texts, hearing inspiring talks and engaging in mantra meditation all take effort.

It's about time, place, circumstance and above all motivation. Everything can be utilized in bhakti, even applying a little force.

embracing opportunities

Verse 2.32: O Pārtha, happy are the kṣatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planets.

Are you one to shy away from opportunities? The adventurous and free-spirited part of me screams "Of course not! Bring them on!" It's shameful to admit, but in actuality I know that I have oftentimes turned a blind eye to said opportunities, given numerous excuses as to why I won't advantage of them to appease myself and promptly gone and tried to forget about them. Of course, what happens next is inevitable...someone else (who might have been just as fearful as you) takes advantage of that opportunity and great things come from it. Once hearing about it you feel a myriad of emotions - a little envy with "I could have totally done that better" thrown in for good measure, disappointment in yourself and a general feeling of dissatisfaction.

Sound familiar? I think it's common, especially when it comes to those opportunities that are in line with your nature. As mentioned yesterday, your nature consists of your proclivities and qualities and act as a roadmap to figuring out what you are meant to do with your life. The challenge, however, often lies in - 1) figuring out our nature and 2) embracing opportunities to engage that nature in effective, influential ways. Think of a super talented singer whose nature it is to be artistic and creative through singing. She gets an audition and instead of getting the support that she needs to overcome her fear and wow the record label, she doesn't show up and instead continues to work at the corner store. Drastic example, but I'm sure it happens everyday. You might be wondering though, how in the world does this tie in with bhakti?

You see, Krsna is starting with the basics in explaining the intricacies of bhakti. Krsna first taught lesson 1 - we misidentify ourselves with the body which covers who we really are - eternal souls. Krsna then goes on to explain in great detail the nature and characteristics of the soul, educating all of us since we have forgotten and ignored it for so long.

Now, Krsna is further explaining that even though in reality we are the soul, if we don't actually understand this on a practical level, then we need to use our body, mind and intelligence to help us get us to the soul platform. How do you do that? Krsna gives the formula - you work with what you have. Just like you have a particular body, you also have a certain mind and intelligence that has been given to you. Literally, no two living entities are alike. Everything has been tailor made just for you (the soul).

In this basic program, which acts as a brilliant foundation to build upon spiritually, the key requirement is acting according to your nature. That means if you are a person who loves to learn and teach and guide others, then you act in that capacity. It doesn't mean that you slave away and try to become a businessmen just because it may be more lucrative financially. No. Be true to the nature you have been given.

After having done so, the next step is to embrace opportunities that arise so that those gifts and skills (which ultimately are given to us by the Supreme) can be properly utilized. In doing so, this program actually helps one progress in the bhakti path when one works in the consciousness that all this is possible due to the gifts bestowed upon us by Krsna. It opens up our eyes to recognizing that we can be empowered to become instrument of greatness. The take away message being we are empowered by God. The greatness doesn't originate from us. When we understand this, we naturally feel grateful to Krsna for choosing us to be instruments of inspiration and talent.

That's what Krsna is telling Arjuna here. He's saying, "You have been empowered to be a great leader and administrator for millions of people who count on you for your protection. It is your nature to lead them and care for them. Are you going to turn a blind eye when the moment of truth comes to stick up for them?"

In our own day to day lives, we may face these defining moments on a smaller scale, but they are nonetheless important. Even if our circumstances don't allow us to engage in activities that are in line with our nature, the goal should be to move in that direction. Why? Because it's easier and will make us happy.

So the next time an opportunity arises for you to engage in your nature, take it! It's not only an opportunity to develop your skills and talents and contribute something to the world, it's also an opportunity to realize that everything is only possible by blessings and grace.

observation: one of the keys to having succesful relationships

Verse 2.30: O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any living being.

Do you think that you are a keen observer? Being a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, I always marveled as to how Holmes seemed to notice all the little things. In fact, in one story Holmes asks Watson the question, "How many times have you gone up the stairs to this apartment?." Watson replies, "Hundreds of times" and then Holmes poses a seemingly simplistic question, "How many stairs are there?" Watson can't answer and Holmes enlightens him.

The aforementioned conversation highlights an important truth that we often forget - observation is based on being intentionally attentive and conscious. It's not something that just "happens" with our eyes and ears. Only when one is focused and alert can one even hope to observe anything. In the explanation to today's verse, our exalted Gita guide and teacher, Swami Prabhupada, makes note that "The Lord now concludes the chapter of instruction on the immutable spirit soul." An excellent teacher, Prabhupada reminds the reader (who many have forgotten or gotten distracted) that for the past little while Krsna has been talking about the soul and he is now concluding his discussion on it.

This prompted me to do a little experiment of my own. For those who have read, are reading or (I hope!) will one day read the Gita, I counted how many verses Krsna has now spoken on the soul. If one counts from the first time Krsna mentions the word "soul", there are 18 including today's (starting from 2.13 and ending at 2.30). In fact, this is the first topic that Krsna talks about as soon as Arjuna asks Krsna to be his bhakti teacher.

It was an exercise that took me a grand total of 30 seconds to count how many verses there were and by doing so I learned something valuable. It's not difficult to be observant, but it takes active effort. It's a skill, which like any other, needs to be developed.

Bhakti is all about being observant. Why? Because bhakti is about relationships. In order to have successful relationships with each other, what to speak of having one with the Supreme Person, it requires that we become actively observant. Not only should we become observant of our own thoughts and actions which indirectly or directly have effects on others, but we also need to be observant of the words and actions of others. This will allow us to become more attentive to each others needs, interests and concerns.

People often helplessly say, "I don't know what you want or need!" I think that we unreasonably expect one another to communicate effectively through words. Although it would be ideal, it's hard for many persons. Living in a world that has now become saturated by communication via text, email and messaging doesn't necessarily help the matter either. We forget that non-verbal communication is just as informative. Sometimes, all we need to do is literally just look at the person really closely and observe their facial expressions, their eyes and their body posture.

The basic desire for each and every one of us is to love and be loved. So why not learn from this ancient bhakti text? The answer is simple and just requires some practice. Invest in your relationships with the Supreme and one another - strive to actively and intentionally observe. It shows that you care.

note to all gitaasitis readers

Dear gitaasitis readers,

First of all, I would like to thank you all for taking the time to read this blog and for all your continued support and encouragement.

I wanted to let you know that for the next two weeks I'll be travelling and may not be able to post anything regularly. I'll definitely try my best if there is an internet connection, but if not, please know that I will be back to my daily exploration of the Gita once I return!!!

All the best and may your hearts be filled with bhakti!

getting to know you...

Verse 2.26: If, however, you think that the soul [or the symptoms of life] is always born and dies forever, you still have no reason to lament, O mighty-armed.

In the middle of all the intricate and wondrous explanations about the soul, Krsna decides to play devil's advocate! Can you imagine? God is now taking the other perspective. All along we've been hearing that the soul is eternal, it can never die, it can't be harmed, etc. Now, Krsna says, "But...if you still think that the soul is born and dies after this one lifetime..." Krsna understands our skeptical nature better than we do!

But back to that in a second. This verse is incredible for another reason because it serves to remind us that the Gita is not just a book that we are holding in our hand. It's a conversation that took place five thousand years ago between two people. Of course, one of those person's was God, but work with me here! It's totally relatable. Just think about the last time you were giving advice to someone. It might have been a sibling, a daughter/son, a friend, whoever. You may have started off by giving reasons why they should do something. Then, in the middle of the conversation, you suddenly stop and play devil's advocate. Your arguments and advice are so strong, that even taking the opposite position, you can still convince them of your point.

This is exactly what Krsna is doing right here. We've been hearing Krsna explain that one need not lament at the thought of death because the soul is eternal and can never die. Now, he's saying that even if you don't believe that, I'll give you further reasons why you have no reason to lament at the thought of death.

This is how incredibly intelligent Krsna is. He understands the different kinds of mentality that we all have and he addresses it head on.

This is what bhakti is all about. It's about getting to know Krsna. How can we even think or hope of loving someone if we don't know who they are. All the bhakti texts and processes of bhakti such as hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, offering worship etc., are simply there as different means by which we can get to know Krsna better.

Do you remember when you were really intrigued by someone? What did you do? If you were anything like me, you'd find all kinds of excuses to get close to them and find out more information about them. The path of bhakti facilitates this process. We get to hear about Krsna, we get to remember him, offer prayers to him, worship him, and thereby get to know him. The only thing is, when we try to cultivate relationships with one another here, there is always a chance that the other person won't reciprocate.

We don't have to worry about that with Krsna. He'll reciprocate. In fact he'll reciprocate with our attempts to know him and love him so much that we'll wonder why we never thought to do so sooner. So now you know the hidden secret. Bhakti is about getting know Krsna.

shopping around

Verse 2.22: As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.

Do you like shopping? I do. I especially like shopping for new clothes. There's something about purchasing a new garment because of the way it feels, the way it hangs, the colour, style and/or design. I think one of the ideas that marketers promote is the notion that new clothes represent the "new" you. Since you are constantly changing, your clothes should reflect that as well.

Similarly, that's what happens when we give up one body and take on another one. One could say that as you're going through this lifetime in your current body, you are (for most) unconsciously shopping around for your next body. How so? All the desires that one accumulates have an impact on the thoughts that circulate throughout one's mind. Ever notice that? At least that's the case for me. As soon as I want something, really want something, I can't think of anything else. It totally occupies my thoughts and think of ways to satisfy my desire to acquire it.

So all the thoughts and desires that one cultivates throughout one's lifetime sets the stage to "purchase" the next body once this one has run it's course. In shopping for material clothes, we go through the same process. Although the time frame for choosing an item maybe mere seconds, there are certain motivations or inclinations that push us to purchase the item.

This means that we need to become more aware! If we can actually have an impact on the type of body we can receive in our next life, we need to become aware of our desires. As aspiring bhakti yogis, however, the goal is different. The bhakti yogi would prefer to make this life, in this body, their last. Why so? Because the soul is eternal. Continuing the cycle of taking on different temporary bodies will never give the soul satisfaction irregardless of how strong, beautiful or intelligent that body maybe.

The goal of the bhakti yogi is to quit shopping! Just like the time may come when you look at your closet and feel, "This is ridiculous. I have way too many clothes!" Similarly, the bhakti yogi thinks "Doesn't matter if I get another body if I'm still going to be subject birth, disease, old age and death. I want out!"

That's what the Bhagavad-gita is all about. It's for those who may have never considered, are curious about or have decided - enough shopping!

designations

Verse 2.20: For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

Ever wonder where we come from? Have you ever wondered what prompts you to ask that question? It's interesting how even our questions are subject to our experiences and identifications. Srila Prabhupada, the translator of the Bhagavad-gita as it is, very succinctly brings to light an important point in the purport to this verse. That is: Under the impression of the body, we seek the history of birth, etc., of the soul.

Puts a lot of things into perspective if we take the time to unpackage this statement. Our identification with the body effects us on so many different levels. It's not that we simply identify ourselves as "human". That's just the start of our assigning designations to our bodies. From there we start identifying ourselves as male/female, with country, race, religion etc... All of these things that we associate ourselves turn into identities. And like Prabhupada says, due to the fact that we associate the body with birth and death we bring in that same type of thinking when it comes to the soul. That is why Krsna is taking so much time to convince us that the soul is totally different than the body. It is not subject to birth, death, disease and old age like the body.

Let's get back to the concept of identifications. What did you answer the last time someone asked you what you did? Most people immediately throw out titles like student, professional, doctor, mom and so forth. Does anyone ever actually think to answer: "I'm trying to purify my heart so that I can re-establish my loving relationship with God and realize that I am actually the soul?" As an aspiring bhakti yogi or one is trying to love God, that is what we are actually doing! We may be a professional or a student or whatever, but that is not who we are actually are. What we do should be a direct reflection of who we really are.

It is true that we may have duties to perform and roles to fulfill but those titles don't represent the soul. They represent the body, circumstances and environments that we are in right now and are subject to change. This is not to minimize their importance, as we should fulfill them all to the best of our ability. In fact, the advanced bhakti yogi fulfills their roles as mother, father, provider, friend, citizen etc., expertly. However, the point is that we should not be so caught up in identifying with these designations alone that we lose sight of the fact that we are actually spiritual beings that are undergoing a material experience.

That is why the bhakti texts state that designations serve as obstacles in trying to realize we are the soul. It is very important to remember the context. No where do the bhakti texts recommend that one should detach themselves and give up everything. In fact, it is frowned upon as artificial renunciation. Practical realization that one is actually the soul will only serve to enhance relationships with others since such a person will be able to see all living entities as equal and worthy of the greatest respect.

However, coming back to the fact that many of us do identify ourselves with various material designations, the fact that we are conditioned to "accept truth" with our senses makes it even more challenging when we look in the mirror. We don't see the soul, but the body! If we can get over that fact and realize that it is the soul that causes the body to function, then we have all these other designations to trip us up. How so? Due to the fact that these identifications prompt various desires.

When a desire arises, what does a living entity do? They start making a plan as to how to fulfill that desire and so the endless cycle of planning and desiring continues. In fact, it is said that if we even have a pinch of material desire to execute our plan to fulfill that desire, we will have to accept another body. However, if instead we engage in devotional service (acting in the consciousness that everything is Krsna's and everything I do is an offering to Krsna), that begins the process of purifying our desires. Simply by acting in this consciousness, the process of bhakti starts to work.

Just yesterday, a friend of mine was relating an experience to me. She got cable TV in her house and was saying that she tried flipping through various channels trying to find something to watch but just felt uninterested and bored. Instead, she chose to spend that time glorifying God by chanting his names. She was expressing how peaceful and focused she felt afterwards. Simply by choosing to engage in one of the nine potent forms of devotional service (one of which is chanting), she automatically experienced practical experience of how God reciprocates with one who chooses to spend time with him.

This is how potent the process of bhakti is. Sometimes it may seem almost impossible to attain God consciousness with all the distractions that surround us. Hence the bhakti texts serve as a guide to make us aware of these impediments. Ultimately though it all boils down to love. God wants us to love him. All we need to do is: always try to remember him and never forget him.

supreme comfort

Verse 2.12: Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.

All of us want to be eternal. Some may not wish to actually live forever (often this thinking is associated with the body and relationships we currently have) but all of us crave it in some fashion or another. The concept of legacy is very much related to eternality. Even if this material body ceases to exist, we all want to leave something behind and be remembered. Whether it be children, accomplishing one's goals or somehow affecting other's lives in a meaningful way, this concept of eternality is within us because it is who we are.

The soul is eternal and we are the soul. Due to the fact that the soul is wearing a material body, we easily forget that we are actually eternal and identify ourselves with the body which undergoes birth, disease, old age and death and which grows from boyhood to youth to "distinguished (aka: old)." :D

In this verse, Krsna gives us supreme comfort. He comforts all of us by saying that we have always existed and need not fear death. This is really powerful. Modern society tends to ignore death and hides it behind lots of other things. It is interesting to note though that many religions and spiritual traditions, including that of bhakti, speak of death in a matter of fact way and address it head on. They do not bring in the negative aspects, but instead focus on the positive. Some may question, "Is there anything positive about death?" The bhakti texts loudly answer by saying "YES!"

By being aware of death we can reflect on how we utilize our time. Our time is spent in so many ways whether it be in performing our duty, honouring commitments, having fun or just plain wasting it. For how many is spiritual life an actual priority? Sadly to say, not that many. But this awareness can help shift one's priorities. This doesn't mean one should neglect one's duty, family, job etc.., it just means that spiritual life has it's rightful place in one's schedule.

As well, this verse speaks of how loving and compassionate God actually is. Here Krsna reassures Arjuna by saying there was never a time when both Krsna, Arjuna and everyone else didn't exist. Krsna is saying here that, "My relationship with you is also eternal." It's not that we are eternal and don't have a relationship with God. No! Our relationship is eternal too. This goes to show how much God loves us. He will never give up on us and our relationship with him (whether we acknowledge it's importance or not). How lucky are we to have such a Lord that loves us unconditionally?

Remember that next time you feel unloved and down in the dumps. The Lord loves you more than you can imagine and is just waiting for you to remember him.