dig deep

Verse 4.24: A person who is fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature.

When reading this verse today, my attention was captured by the word "offer".

In one sense, the whole world revolves around offerings. Whether working or in school, we are constantly "putting forth something for consideration or acceptance". When we are applying for a job, we are offering our services and intelligence to work. When we enter into and maintain relationships, we offer our heart and emotions.

In fact, one could say that every minute of every day is filled with offerings.

After all, it is one of the main functions of the mind. The mind is constantly putting forth ideas and thoughts as to how we can increase our happiness and minimize distress.

But the mind's offerings are often limited. Unless exposed to the culture of gratitude and selflessness, it can be difficult to comprehend the concept of "offering one's life in service." And that, ultimately, is what yoga is all about.

For some, including myself, contemplation of this "career path" can bring up a lot of insecurities and revelations as to where we place our faith and trust. Offering one's life in service, from the yoga perspective, is not just dedicating oneself to a job. It's about utilizing this life to realize who we really are and why we are here. That is - realizing that we are spiritual beings having a material experience.

It requires deep introspection and a willingness to confront our frailties. It takes courage, proper guidance and support to realize that we are not in this world just to enjoy it but to learn from it. By being able to see the lessons that are ever present in all opportunities and experiences that we undergo, we start to learn that there is more to life than just satisfying the senses. It is then that the desire to go deeper burns stronger and we in turn can really start tuning into who we really are through the wisdom of great texts such as the Bhagavad gita. That knowledge, when realized, allows us to become empowered instruments to help others and affect positive change in this world.

But that first step requires a leap of faith to dig deep. Are you ready?

the mighty trio

Verse 4.10: Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me — and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.

Attachment, fear and anger - or as I call them - the mighty trio. These three emotions and characteristics have the capacity to steal away all reason and intelligence. In fact, as readers might remember, two of these three characteristics (attachment and anger) are also members of "the attachment trap".

It's not so much that these qualities or emotions are good or bad in and of themselves. It's the fact that one emotion leads to another which can ultimately lead to stress and complete frustration.

The cycle tends to go as such:

As was previous explained, attachment arises due to the contemplation of objects which we believe will satisfy and make us happy. Once attachment takes root, that's when the chaos can start to manifest. Take for example a small child. They might be perfectly happy playing in their corner when they see a ball across the room. Looking at the ball, they start to make their way towards it when another child picks it up. At this point in time, some children, may start to cry and get upset.

This is actually very illustrative of what we all go through if we just seek to look a little deeper and analyze what is motivating the child's behaviour. Many might think the child is crying because they didn't get to play with the ball, but one could suggest that it's even more than that. It's the fact that the other child got to play with it.

That's where fear and anger step in because...

Attachment often instills a sense of possessiveness in an individual.

In other words, it's the mentality of "I've contemplated the object and therefore it is mine." What the bhakti texts teach us is that the moment we identify ourselves with something then fear is often a side dish that comes along, even though we haven't asked for it. We fear losing whatever we've become attached to and if anything appears to impede our enjoyment of that object then anger rears its ugly head.

The path of bhakti yoga reminds us that nothing in this world is ours to keep. This body and the world we live in is all on loan. Trying to exert ownership and control doesn't really help us.

For those who truly want to practice yoga, this is such an integral point. Yoga is about connection but almost more important than understanding that fundamental truth is understanding what it is that we should be trying to connect to.

Attachment is just one facet of connection but it's not the whole thing.

An attachment can be broken, but a connection, as per the definition of yoga, is rooted in permanency. That permanent connection that all souls are longing for is eternal love and the only person who can give it to us is the Divine. All of these other objects that we form attachments to can get in the way of our search for that love if we aren't careful.

So the next time you catch yourself falling into this trap of this mighty trio, take a step back and observe. Is this attachment helping you to become a selfless, compassionate and positive individual or is it serving to bring out the opposite in you?

care is the strongest link

Verse 4.2: This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

When I was in University, I always felt slightly disconcerted. With the exception of a handful of professors, I really didn't feel like any of mine were interested in their students. Being in Science, most of my Professors were just itching to get back to the lab where they could devote their time to what they really loved - research.

Since I was for the most part deprived of teachers who genuinely cared about their students' learning, I had to "teach myself" how to learn. It was at this time that I realized that modern education, and specifically Science, is rooted in the descending system of knowledge.

In other words, one learns from teachers (or in my case, textbooks) who gained knowledge from teachers before them etc etc... The key area where modern education and the science of bhakti differs is the one I pointed out initially - the aspect of care.

This is not to say that there aren't teachers out there who genuinely care for their students. There are! However, with schools overflowing and teachers being overworked and under-paid, it seems like these incredible personalities are dwindling in number.

In contrast, the very foundation of bhakti yoga is based on a a culture of care, not knowledge. Knowledge is definitely there, but it comes second - behind care.

If you think about it, care and love are the greatest things we can be taught since that is what links us to each other.

The understanding of a particular topic or subject, whether material or spiritual, is not based on its complexity, but the care and attention that a teacher gives to their students.

Today, we hear Krsna express how much He cares that the knowledge of bhakti is understood properly. He states that it was handed down through the line of saintly kings and that through time this succession of teachers was broken and therefore He is re-establishing it by speaking this knowledge to Arjuna.

That is a true teacher. One who not only cares for the subject matter, but one who cares for the student and their understanding of that knowledge.

If we can appreciate anything from the Gita - this is it. At the most basic level, it is a conversation between a teacher who genuinely cares and loves his student. The extent of that love is demonstrated when, at the end of the Gita, Krsna tells Arjuna to choose what he thinks will be best and offers to repeat the whole thing again if Arjuna hasn't understood it.

great expectations

Verse 4.1: The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.

History and experience can teach us so much. In fact, the great bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada would say (and I paraphrase):

First class intelligence is hearing about the mistakes of others and not committing them. Second class intelligence is making mistakes, learning from them and trying to avoid making them again and third class intelligence is making mistakes and not learning from them.

The Bhagavad-gita is giving us the opportunity to exercise first class intelligence. As we hear in today's verse, this science of yoga has not just appeared randomly. It has been passed along for lifetimes upon lifetimes to the most intelligent and empowered personalities. We are so lucky to now have the opportunity to hear that same knowledge - unadulterated and just as powerful. By following this process we have an opportunity to save ourselves time, effort and disappointment.

One of the great lessons that the Gita teaches us is that of learning to manage expectations. At the beginning of the Gita, we see Arjuna expressing his doubts and misgivings to Krsna. But if you look a little deeper, you find something more - Arjuna is stating that he has certain expectations and is worried that by doing the right thing, those expectations will not be met.

Is that not what we go through everyday? We all have expectations of ourselves, of situations and perhaps the trickiest of them all - of others.

At the heart of expectation is the belief that somehow we will be happier if x, y, z manifests.

Is that not really it, if we strip away all the other coverings? It's a belief. There is no actual guarantee that we will be happier, but we have built the expectation to work out a certain way in our heads that just the thought of it not playing out leaves us more miserable than we originally were!

So how do we practically manage expectations? For advanced bhakti yogis, the answer is simple. They understand that they are not this body but the eternal spirit soul. Since many of our expectations are related to the material, temporary world and relationships that are based on the body, not the soul, such yogis realize that disappointment is inevitable. Essentially, they don't put much stock in it and choose to rest their expectations on the grace of the Divine who never disappoints.

For those of us who may not be on that level, what are we to do?

Recognize that expectations rest on a belief of happiness, not a guarantee.

This can help ease the sting of disappointment, keep things in perspective and help us not to flip out when we are caught in the tight claws of expectation. For many, when we don't get what we expected it tends to weigh heavily on the mind, causes us to speculate and drives us mad.

The next time this happens, give yourself and others a break. Failed expectations can actually be the greatest gift we can receive if we can just approach it in the right perspective. It reminds us that true happiness lies within and doesn't rest in the hands of others.

Wake up! You're under a spell...

Verse 3.29: Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers' lack of knowledge.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be under a spell? If you haven't realized it yet, it might come as a shock. Most of us are living under one!

We are under the spell of the three modes of material nature.

These modes, otherwise known as influences or qualities, affect us all the time. Our moods, our activities, our choice in music, food, association - you name it and we're influenced.

So why is it that we are influenced by the characteristics of goodness, passion and ignorance? In Chapter 14 of the Gita, Krsna will explain this in greater depth. The answer is simple though - it's because most of us identify ourselves with the body. Since we identify with the material and temporary body, we are influenced by the material and temporary modes of material nature.

There is good news however: it's a breakable spell!

The secret to breaking the spell has already been elucidated, but it's worth mentioning again. The spell of these three material qualities is powerless the moment we start to realize that we are eternal souls. Material influences are no match for the eternal.

If you're thinking "Easier said than done!" you're right. Well...at least partially. ;) After all, after lifetimes of identifying with the material, a paradigm shift is now required. After focusing on the external for so long, trying to reconcile the truth that happiness truly lies within can be difficult.

It is difficult, nearly impossible for one to realize and act as a soul...that is, if you try to do it yourself.

That's why the practices of bhakti yoga are cultivated and done in the company of other aspiring bhakti yogis. Whether it be kirtan (mantra meditation to music), reading the bhakti texts, eating food offered in love to the Divine or praying - it's done together because there is power in numbers.

It also serves as a great help when our minds start flipping out on us. We have friends and well-wishers who gently remind us that we're under a spell and encourage us by their own example how to get out.

To fight the spell of the three modes of material nature we need all the help we can get. All the facility is out there...the question remains - are you ready to wake up from the spell?

someone to look up to

Verse 3.20: Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.

Role models. We all need them. Their stories of struggle, perseverance and success often serve as bursts of inspiration for us when we experience times of frustration and apathy in our own lives.

Personally, I find that there is a real lack of true role models for the current generation that is growing up. Being exposed to instant forms of communication and media, younger persons can easily equate role models as those persons who fill up the airwaves and Twitter feeds. Constantly bombarded by "perfect" bodies, fairy tale relationships, fame, money, and the accumulation of material possessions, it can be easy for one to think that the attainment of such goals is what life is all about.

The beauty of yoga is that while it addresses the necessities of the body, its focus is on feeding the spirit. Yoga teaches us that we need a foundation of spiritual values upon which we can grow to become empowered spiritual personalities. After all, we are spiritual beings and no amount of material possessions will ever satisfy us. Equally important to realize is the fact that these values aren't dependent on external validation and can't be measured by wealth or fame. They develop as a result of realizing that challenges aren't obstacles, but opportunities for internal, spiritual growth.

One individual who embodied these qualities is mentioned in today's verse - King Janaka. A great ruler who was not only a devoted husband and father, he was also a true well-wisher for all his subjects. Though the leader of his kingdom, he never sought honour or recognition. Instead, he always considered everything he had to be gifts given to him by the Divine. Following in his footsteps, his people also adopted this lifestyle of expressing gratitude to the Supreme. Due to this abundant spirit of gratitude and care, it is recorded that all his people lived a life of utter contentment and fulfillment.

Sometimes when we hear of such persons, we may think "Yah, that was xyz number of years ago, there's no one like that anymore." Not true! There are still such persons who live amongst us today. Their goal is to live a life of gratitude and connection with the Supreme and to help anyone who is sincerely interested.

So take heart, there are incredible role models amongst us. It might just takes us a little time to recognize them.

what type of karma do you choose?

Verse 3.9: Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.

If you had a choice, what would you choose - good or bad karma?

Whether we realize it or not, that's the question we face on a daily basis. Sometimes, however, the best choice may not be the one that has been presented, which is exactly the case here. That's why the Gita is offering us the other option. The one that many of us would not have thought of.

Good karma is definitely the way to go if the options were only limited to good and bad. But even then, there's something important to realize. The thing with good and bad karma, is that they both bind one to a temporary material body. That's because we don't always receive our karma in the body we are inhabiting in presently. Simply put, if we do something good, we may not reap that benefit now.

The goal of bhakti yoga is to free ourselves from the captivity of impermanence which is what we face here in the material world. Why is that? Because we are eternal souls and therefore all the temporality we experience doesn't sit right with any of us and that's why we are always longing for ever-lasting pleasure.

So whether it be good or bad karma, it still serves to trap us in an endless cycle of impermanence. The key to escaping this prison is by performing akarmic activities, those that result in no karma. The amazing aspect of performing akarmic work is the fact that it doesn't require one to give up their occupation or their talents. All it requires is a shift in consciousness.

This topic was briefly discussed in Chapter 2 when we discussed the secret behind working without attachment to the result. Instead of acting in a consciousness of "it's all for me", instead we work in a spirit of gratitude. Now we get a better understanding of why this consciousness shift actually benefits us. As Krsna says, it's because we will always remain free from bondage by working in this way. Or in other words, it won't tie us to having to take birth in another material body.

So....the choice is yours. The next time someone asks you whether you would choose good or bad karma, go ahead and choose akarma! That's the path by which we can experience our eternally blissful true selves.

lessons from the ocean

Verse 2.70: A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires — that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still — can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.

Waves and salt, power and grace, mysterious yet serene - these are some of the images and words that come to mind when I think of the ocean. In fact, as yogis have discovered, the ocean has a soothing effect on many. It puts one back in touch with nature and many have often said that just looking upon it helps puts things into perspective.

It is no wonder then that the Gita refers to it specifically. However, as with everything, the Gita pulls out a supremely deep lesson we can take away from the ocean - the lesson of steadiness. As we are coming to the close of Chapter 2 which is aptly entitled "Contents of the Gita Summarized", everything that has been explained thus far is being put together into the comprehensive and holistic process known as bhakti yoga.

Krsna began with explaining that we are eternal souls who are wearing a dress of a particular body. This was followed by stressing the importance of performing one's activities in accordance with one's nature in a spirit of gratitude. Invaluable truths were presented as to the nature of the mind and the secret science of learning how to control the process of attachment.

The Gita now speaks of how this all interlocks together, through the process of bhakti yoga. It is only after understanding these various truths and realizing them (through practical application in our own lives) that we can become undisturbed. Such a person remains equipoised irregardless of their external surroundings and the inner chaotic demands of their minds.

We can learn how this is done by just observing the ocean. The ocean is always full, just as we are. Although we are externally searching for happiness, happiness is already within. The soul is always blissful. Due to wearing this external body we are currently inhabiting, we have become habituated into thinking that happiness is something that is experienced through the senses. True happiness is not experienced through the senses, mind or intelligence. It is experienced through the soul.

By understanding this fundamental truth, we can remain steady, just like the ocean. Although various rivers may keep pouring water into it, the ocean isn't dependent on them to feel full. Similarly, although we may be subjected to various desires, if we understand that satisfying those demands isn't the path to eternal happiness, then we will remain calm. It's important to remember, as the great bhakti master Prabhupada highlights:

"As long as one has the material body, the demands of the body for sense gratification will continue. The bhakti yogi, however, is not disturbed by such desires, because of his fullness. Such a person is not in need of anything, because the Lord fulfills all his material necessities. Therefore he is like the ocean — always full in himself."

This is the secret. The Gita teaches us that "it's ok to let go." We don't always need to be in control. By performing our actions in a spirit of gratitude for all that we have been given, we start to realize that the Divine is always helping us. He is providing for every living creature from the little ant to the gigantic elephant. So why are we so worried that He won't take care of us?

When we start living our lives in such a way, it only becomes natural that the we "stop sweating the small stuff". Instead, we start introspecting and putting our energy and effort into what really matters - our connection with the Supreme. Of course, that doesn't mean that we neglect ourselves, our job or our family and friends, it just means that we realize that true happiness exists on the soul level, not just on the level of the senses.

the attachment trap - part 2

Verse 2.63: From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.

Yesterday, we started breaking down the attachment trap. The trap lures one in by "oh so innocently" encouraging one to contemplate an object of the senses which quickly leads to attachment, lust and anger. Today, we'll pick where up we left off and talk about what may come after one experiences anger.

Breakdown of the attachment trap continued

Step 5 - delusion: Think about the last time you were angry. Starting off on a slow simmer it may have escalated and began burning. You could feel it taking over your body. How did you react when a person tried to talk to you when you were in that condition? Did you find yourself saying things that you didn't even mean? Although the example given of ice cream yesterday may seem quite trite, it's often those "silly" things that can lead one to getting angry. Imagine that you're finally on that bus you've been waiting for and you're already on a slow simmer. The friend that you were planning to meet calls you up and asks what's going on. When you tell them, they try to reason with you and explain that your presence is needed urgently. By now, however, you're so sold on the fact that you need ice cream right away, that nothing can convince you otherwise.

Step 6 - bewilderment of memory: In such a state of mind, the memory gets bewildered. Memories are repositories or storehouses of past events and experiences. The memory could remind you that obtaining ice cream is not a life or death situation, but if attachment firmly takes hold, it's to no avail. It's not possible to bring back the "memories" of living peacefully without ice cream. Everything gets fuzzy and out of focus...which leads to...

Step 7 - loss of intelligence: The intelligence which has been fighting to get a stronghold on this disastrous attachment situation, just doesn't have a chance now. The intelligence which could have tried to bring up past memories as proof to indicate that life without ice cream is possible, is just lost. Attachment is that strong. In fact, it can even start using the intelligence to start making all kinds of justifications as to why getting that ice cream is the highest goal in life.

Step 8 - falling into the material pool: Any chance of acting with gratitude and compassion is now completely out of the question. The attitude of "it's all about me" firmly takes root. This only further propagates our illusion that we are this body and distances us from our true selves - the soul which is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss.

And that, my dear readers, is the attachment trap. It starts off so simply doesn't it? Just contemplating something, someone, someplace etc. No one would ever think that it could lead to this dark and dangerous road...but it can. So for all of you who are interested in working without attachment and reducing the amount of suffering in your life...it's something to consider. After all, once you know the inner workings of the trap, it's so much easier to avoid it.

Would love to hear if this breakdown has helped you in any way, so please feel free to leave comments!

are you an addict?

Verse 2.59: The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.

What did you answer to that question? As I began writing this, I started off with one answer and half-way through I changed my mind. Maybe you'll have the same experience?

The Gita explains that we are all addicts. The problem is that most of us don't even know it. Since we are unaware that there is a problem, it's near impossible to rectify it.

If that's the case, what is it that we are addicted to? Two words - sense enjoyment. As embodied souls this is the primary way by which we try to derive pleasure. Whether it be through eating something tasty, seeing something beautiful or hearing a beautiful piece of music, there are innumerable ways by which we try to derive satisfaction through our senses.

This might cause one to ask the question, "Are you trying to say that there is something wrong with trying to feel pleasure?" To which the Gita unequivocally replies - NO! Confused yet? On one hand the Gita is saying that sense enjoyment is our problem but then it also says that it isn't wrong for us to try to experience pleasure. What gives?!

Dilemmas such as this one tend to confuse many of us and even the most sincere readers of the Gita may feel tempted to give up at times. That's why it is so important to ask questions and learn from those who have themselves studied the Gita from great bhakti teachers. It's a beautiful lineage. Each teacher is a student (since they have learned from a realized Gita practitioner themselves) and each student has the capacity to become a teacher (since they are being equipped to realize the Gita properly). If one learns in this way, the tendency to misinterpret great texts like the Gita can be reduced and avoided.

That is why we are so lucky to have Prahupada, the translator of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, explain these potential areas of misunderstanding. That being said, let's address the present confusion. It isn't wrong for for us to try to seek pleasure because the soul is inherently blissful by nature. That is our constitutional position. Just like the inherent nature of fire is to be hot, the intrinsic characteristic of the soul is to be happy.

So why then is the Gita saying that not seek pleasure through sense enjoyment? As you may remember, sense enjoyment leads most of us to further misidentifying ourselves with this body we are currently in. That's the problem. It interferes with our ability to realize that we are already blissful!

The body, without the soul, is dead matter and all the things the body interacts are often done with a material consciousness. When most of us interact even with each other, our consciousness is not normally one of, "I am relating with another eternal spirit soul". Or if we interact with objects and things, we're often not consciously thinking, "I am interacting with the energy of the Divine." Instead, often unbeknownst to us, we may actually be interacting with the consciousness of ownership, possessiveness, and trying to extract pleasure for ourselves. Of course, not this is not applicable to all, but it's worth taking the time to introspect and determine if our actions and interactions are coloured by such consciousness.

So what is one to do? The senses are active and therefore one cannot artificially repress them. The only thing that can be done is to purify the senses. How so? By adopting the consciousness that was put forth before. When interacting with one another, to recognize that there is a soul inside and by seeing all inanimate things as energies of the Divine that can be used in spiritual service.

A lot more can be said on this topic, and will be elaborated on as we journey through the Gita. But coming back to the original question. Are you an addict? If you're curious to know my answer...my original answer was yes. But in diving deeper into the Gita, I realize the answer is yes and no. LOL! No, I'm not an addict, because "I" am an eternal soul who is naturally blissful. However, considering the fact that my currently tendency is to identify "myself" as the body, I am still an addict because I am still working on purifying my senses.

mind- friend or foe?

Verse 2.55: The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Pārtha, when a man gives up all varieties of desire for sense gratification, which arise from mental concoction, and when his mind, thus purified, finds satisfaction in the self alone, then he is said to be in pure transcendental consciousness.

A few questions to begin with today: Do you consider your mind to be your servant or your master? Would you like to become a more focused individual? Don't answer these questions right away! Just hang on to them for the moment...

The mind is one complex subject! In fact, there are fields of study dedicated to it such as that of psychology. However, the one thing that psychology has yet to offer is the answer to the question of how to control the mind without trying to repress it.

The yoga texts, specifically the Gita, not only give the answer to this million dollar question, but they also offer more insight as to the nature of the mind. Simply put, the Gita defines the mind as the leader of the senses. The great bhakti master Prabhupada further elaborates, "The principle activities of the mind are of thinking, feeling and willing which are expressed through our senses."

The mind is constantly making plans so that the senses can enjoy. That is, when the mind is not purified. This is an important distinction that the Gita makes. The living entity, the soul, is spiritual. The mind, however, is material. It is not possible to purify the mind with material objects or processes, at least not in any way that has a long-lasting effect. The only way the mind can be purified is through spiritual engagement.

Let's take a moment to talk about what happens with the mind if it isn't purified: it will constantly accept and reject ideas. It does so because it lives in the realm of duality. It assigns labels to people, places, situations and things of "this is good" and "this is bad". Those labels are not founded in any permanence and that is why you may observe that one second you may think something is good and the next second something is bad. For example, say your favourite food is pizza. When you are first eating it, your mind is exclaiming, "So good, we want more!" You're so happy that there's pizza that you keep eating and eating and eating...and suddenly as you finish off that seventh piece and your stomach starts protesting, that same mind starts chastising, "Stop! Pizza bad, causing pain."

Why does the mind do this? Because it is making judgements on behalf of the senses. When the senses feel pleasure, the mind perceives something as good and as soon as it starts causing pain or any type of discomfort, that same thing becomes bad.

One could rightly argue, "But that's necessary isn't it?" On the material platform, absolutely. But remember, the goal of yoga is to transcend the temporary. The pleasure we feel coming from the senses doesn't last and so by constantly letting the mind "make the call" as to what's good/bad or right/wrong, we are operating on the material level. As spiritual beings, we seek eternal pleasure which can only be attained when our mind is spiritualized.

So how do we purify the mind? In the beginning, one can start by trying to control it. The mind is like a little child in that it always needs to be engaged. If it isn't engaged, it just wrecks havoc and that's why "An idle mind is a devil's workshop."

So how does one go about controlling the mind? A word to the wise, artificially repressing doesn't tend to work well. In fact, often times it may even exacerbate the craziness going on inside. The yoga texts present mantra meditation as the solution. In fact, for the current age we live in, mantra meditation is stated be even more effective than silent meditation. With silent meditation, the mind may still be internally going crazy because the senses aren't engaged. Remember how the mind is the leader of the senses? If the mind is going crazy, you can be sure the senses are also crying out for something to occupy them.

Mantra meditation is a sensory experience that calms the mind. By holding mantra beads, one is engaging the sense of touch. Through saying the mantra and hearing it, one is engaging both the tongue and the ears. One can either close their eyes or look at the written words of the mantra and thus engage the eyes. Although not necessary, one can even engage the nose by burning incense or choosing to be outside in the fresh air.

The key in mantra meditation is to focus on hearing the sound of the mantra. That's it. Just by hearing the mantra, the mind is pulled from it's whirlpool like thoughts and starts resting in the mantra. This is the spiritual engagement we were speaking of before. As one practices this daily and slowly increases their time engaging in mantra meditation, it's amazing how the focus one experiences transfers to all aspects of one's life.

The question may arise then of what mantra to chant. There are so many mantras given in the Vedas. However, the recommended mantra for this age is that of the maha mantra - the greatest mantra which includes all other mantras. That's right. Just by meditating on this one mantra, you get the benefit of chanting every other mantra, even the ones don't even know about!

You may have heard of the maha mantra before but not realized its significance. The mantra goes: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. These three names of Hare, Krishna and Rama refer to names of the Divine. Hare is an address to the feminine divine and Krishna and Rama refer to the the Supreme. The mantra is a call for help to the Supreme consciousness to help us reconnect with our true identity.

So in conclusion, I ask you to revisit the questions I asked at the beginning. The first one is just something to think about. If you answered yes to the second one however, I invite you to try meditating on the Hare Krishna mantra. Just try it for a few minutes everyday when you wake up for a week. If you choose to do so, please write down on your observations. I would love to hear your experience!

distractions on the path of self-discovery

Verse 2.53: When your mind is no longer disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas, and when it remains fixed in the trance of self-realization, then you will have attained the divine consciousness.

The point of being distracted or disturbed from our path is the subject of today's reflection. We all have goals that we would like to attain and for the aspiring bhakti yogi, there is none as prominent as attaining the perfection of self-realization. But like in anything, it's so easy to get distracted...

Krsna is pointing out one of those distractions - being disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas. As was previously described, the Vedas give one knowledge about everything, including how to attain mystic powers, fame, fortune, wealth, power...you name it and the formula is there. One would be right in asking, "If the goal of the Vedas is to attain self-realization and engage in devotional service, then why are all these other things there too?" Great question!

We can look at it from this perspective. The Vedas contain knowledge about everything material and spiritual. If they didn't contain information on these subject matters then they would not be complete. Another important point to remember is that everyone is on their own journey of self-discovery. For some, the journey is just beginning and for others they are well along the path. The Vedas provide a road-map for persons on all levels.

Some think that attaining wealth and power is what self-discovery is all about while for others it is the accumulation of knowledge. For others it's about performing great sacrifice or engaging in meditation. According to the mind-set and experiences of an individual (not just from this lifetimes but all lifetimes before), each person may have their own definition of what self-discovery is.

The aspects of meditation and knowledge may be elements in our journey of self-discovery, but in and of themselves aren't the final destination. One can take an example of the train. The train can take us to different destinations and we, the traveler, can not only choose where to go but which train to take. If we have different ideas as to what self-discovery is, we may take different trains that take us to these small stations thinking "Ah, this is how to achieve self-discovery!" This is what may happen to the interested individual who doesn't have the benefit of hearing or learning about the ultimate path of self-discovery from an authorized source.

The Gita, can be likened to the direct train that takes us to the main station: that of self-discovery. It acknowledges the other train stations that exist, but it's encouraging its passengers (us) to not waste their time at these smaller stations. As Krsna says later on in the Gita, "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas." (Chapter 15, Verse 15). Since the Gita is being spoken by Krsna and he is stating that he is the knower of the Vedas, we can rest assured that what he is saying is authentic!

In other words, Krsna is telling us - don't get distracted! All these other things may bring some temporary satisfaction, but won't truly satisfy the self. Stay on the Gita train which is the direct line to self-realization and self-discovery. That's what will truly make us happy.

the cure for lamentation

Verse 2.28: All created beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their interim state, and unmanifest again when annihilated. So what need is there for lamentation?

Everything in the material world has a beginning, middle and an end. Whether it be life, relationships, career, hobbies, hunger, happiness...everything. However, instead of understanding this truth (which we all have first hand experience of), we still are so surprised every time it happens to us.

It reminds me of an incident that takes place in the Mahabharata. As was mentioned in earlier posts, Arjuna is one of five brothers who collectively were called the Pandavas of whom Yudhisthira was the eldest.

At one point in time, the Pandavas princes were exiled to the forest for thirteen years. Humbly, they accepted their fate. Despite being banished to the forest, they still helped anyone that they could. One day, a sage asked them for their help to get back some special sticks that a deer had taken by mistake. Searching and searching for the deer without success, the five brothers became tired and were overwhelmed with thirst.

Yudhisthira, noting their sunken spirits and need for water, asked the youngest of his brothers to search for a nearby lake. Spotting one, the younger brother went to the lake and cupping his palms brought some water up to his lips to drink. At that time, a voice suddenly spoke saying "Stop! This is my lake. You cannot take water without my permission or else you will die." Paying no heed to this warning, the young prince drank the water and fell down dead.

Some time passed and when their youngest brother did not return, Yudhisthira sent another of his brothers to find out what happened. Another brother went and the same incident occurred. Over and over this happened until Yudhisthira was left alone and went searching to find out what happened to his brothers. When he saw his brothers all lying lifeless by this lake, Yudhisthira was overwhelmed with grief and left wondering how anyone could harm them. When he too went to drink some water, the same voice issued the same warning and told Yudhisthira that the reason why his brothers were dead was due to the fact that they had drunk the water without this person's permission.

Yudhisthira was compassion and righteousness personified. Despite the fact that he heard that this voice revealing that they were indirectly responsible for his brothers' death, he immediately complied and asked what this person wanted. Revealing himself, this guardian of the lake asked him to answer a series of questions. One of those questions was "What is the most wondrous thing?" Yudhisthira's answer always amazes me even though I've heard and related this story for years. Yudhisthira said, "The most wonderful thing is that although everyday innumerable humans and their animals go to the abode of death, still a man thinks he is immortal."

This story, or at least this part of the story, always makes me reflect on how surprised we are when something finishes or ends. We all pride ourselves on being intelligent persons, right?. If we are intelligent, then why are we so surprised that anything that is initiated or born will eventually terminate and end? Pragmatically speaking, there is no need for lamentation.

So why do we lament? Having read the Bhagavad gita, I can only come to one conclusion. The soul is eternal and is never subject to birth or death. That is who we really are. Therefore, when we encounter the temporariness of the material world in all its facets, it feels artificial and doesn't sit right with us. Since we don't know what to do or how to get out of this cycle of "beginning, middle and end", we lament.

That's why bhakti is so important. It teaches us the way out. It opens our eyes to the brilliant truth - we are eternal and therefore we should only seek out those things that are eternal since that is what will make us truly happy. And what is it that is eternal? God and our relationship with him.

That's why bhakti is the cure for all lamentation.

are you ready to walk out?

Verse 2.27: One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

Today, we are indirectly introduced to the concept of karma. As Prabhupada writes in the purport "One has to take birth according to one's activities of life. And after finishing one term of activities, one has to die to take birth for the next."

Let's spend a little bit of time talking about karma here. First of all, what is it? Simply put - what goes around comes around. For whatever action we perform, a corresponding reaction will be given. As a society that claims it's "scientifically driven" we observe this reality and expect this. Why then do people struggle with the concept of karma and its application in their own life? I think part of the reason is due to the fact that the effect(or reaction) may not manifest in this lifetime.

Did you know that? It's true! There is such a thing as instant and delayed karma. Not only is there good and bad karma, but delayed and instantaneous as well as group and individual karma.

Somewhere along the road, it appears that mainstream society latched onto the idea of karma and associated the word "now" to it. Probably because we are a "now" society. The truth is, we have no control over when we will feel the results of the karma we accrue, irregardless of whether it's good or bad. For somethings we may feel it right away, but for others we may have to wait lifetimes to feel the effects.

That's the reason why some people just seem to "have it all" without doing anything and the reason why some people may work hard all their life without any apparent result. In looking and judging others (something we are all guilty of doing,) we neglect to remember that we are only seeing a snapshot of that soul's journey.

Just think of a movie. When we see a movie, most of us forget that the movie is actually composed of individual frames which compose the moving picture. "When the moving picture is displayed, each frame is flashed on a screen for a short time and then immediately replaced by the next one. Persistence of vision blends the frames together, producing the illusion of a moving image." Credit: Wikipedia

Similarly, we forget that our journey in this lifetime is also just an individual frame. Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Our problem is that we mistakenly think that what we are see happening to others, and what is currently going on with us, is the entire movie.

That's what Krsna is getting at here in this verse. Unless we stop accruing karma (whether it be good or bad), this process of birth and death will continue on and on and on. Remember the last movie you saw where you felt the story dragged on and on? Afterwards you probably commented, "They should have made it shorter! That last hour was a waste!" Well, the "movie" of our journey in the material world has become just like that - too long. Enough already!

That's what Krsna will soon present to Arjuna. Think of this like the previews....coming soon in a Gita near you! Yes, there is good and bad karma, but there is also something called "no karma". Those same good activities that you perform right now for "your pleasure", when instead done in the consciousness of service and gratitude to the Lord, result in no karma.

That's our ticket out of the cycle of birth and death. Our sojourn in the material world has become like a bad movie that just keeps dragging on. It's time to get out.

The only question remains: are you ready to walk out of this bad movie, or are you going to continue to suffer through it?

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.

power of repetition

Verse 2.25: It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.

For the past few verses now we have been hearing over and over again the descriptions of the soul and the truth that we are not this body but the eternal spirit soul. One could question, "Why the need to keep repeating this over and over again?! Can't we move on to something new?"

This is exactly my mentality. I always need something new and shiny to occupy my attention and hearing something repeatedly is often quite challenging for me.

The thing is, there is great power in repetition. It is only by hearing something over and over again that it actually sinks in. Think about it. How did you learn the alphabet? It was only by saying and writing the letters over ad nauseum that it became natural. Now, when your eyes take in the written word, you don't stop to think how you put together words and phrases, it's become natural.

Similarly, the beginning of bhakti yoga also starts of with it's own alphabet. The basics. Those a, b, c's are that we are spirit souls that are currently existing in a particular body. That body is temporary and limited, whereas the soul is eternal. If we don't realize this, even theoretically, then everything else we may know and hear becomes superfluous. This is the starting point and from there we can build and advance. That's why Krsna is spending so much time educating Arjuna (and us!) about the intricacies, characteristics and importance of the soul.

It's amazing if you think about it! Even basic principles that we take for granted and practice in everyday life originated from God! We all are constantly exposed to repetition, just think TV commercials. It's nothing new. Now, it's about applying it to spiritual life!

In fact, the cardinal rules of giving a speech/presentation is all about repetition: Tell your audience what you're going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you told them.

Krsna, gets all the credit, since he originated the concept. So the next time you are going through a Vedic text, or even your homework, just remember: if something is being repeated over and over again there is a reason behind it. It's of great value and importance.

the right prescription

Verse 2.24: This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.

I'd like to find someone who actually welcomes change in their life. The material world, due to being temporary, is full of change, but very few embrace it. Here, we find out why. The soul itself is unchangeable. Cue lightbulb popping over head....it all makes sense now!

If we delve a little deeper as to why most of us resist change, there are many reasons such as fear of the unknown, lack of control, and perhaps most commonly, the fear that something will be taken away.

Just ask any professional athlete. What are the top two things that they fear the most? My guess would be injury and age. Both result in changes in the body which they have no control over and can affect their performance.

Every single one of us fears change to some degree. We cannot forecast the outcome most of the time and hence we are left with a huge question mark. In the world we live in, where control is the name of the game, this goes against everything we are inculcated with. Yet, change is inevitable. So how does one deal with it?

The bhakti texts prompt one to examine how and where this change affects us the most. We view change through the lens of the senses and the body. So really, it's a matter of changing the lens by which we view the world.

Recently, I had to get my eyes examined. Anyone who goes to the eye doctor will tell you how you're plopped into a chair and subjected to a battery of tests. One of those tests is viewing a series of lines with letters that become smaller and smaller as you read down the page. If you do require a new prescription, oftentimes the doctor will ask you to read a line and then switch a lens and ask you whether "Lens A" or "Lens B" was better.

Krsna is acting as our eye doctor here. He is educating us on how we can view, not only the world, but change as well. We can view it from the perspective of the body and the senses or we can view it through the perspective of the soul. The soul is unchanging but our experiences are every changing. So what does that mean? It means that we (the soul) are undergoing an experience. Instead of getting caught up in that experience we can chose to rise above it or wallow in it.

For those who would like to rise above it, Krsna will give us the magic formula. Just like the eye doctor figures out the prescription for your glasses/contacts so that you can see better, similarly Krsna will give us the proper glasses that are outfitted with the lenses of bhakti. Right now, we are simply sitting in the chair being educated about our condition and given options as to which lens we want to view the world. It's our choice, which one's we want to choose.

the best teacher

Verse 2.23: The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind.

Knowledge of both the material and spiritual are given in different ways throughout the Gita. Knowledge is given in a way direct way (i.e. we are not this body but the spirit soul), it is given in extremely detailed ways (as we will come to see) and here we are seeing knowledge given to us in another way - through negation.

As spiritual beings who have undergone lifetimes of experiences, it can be very difficult to understand subject matters that cannot be explained through the material senses. So what does Krsna do? In order to help us understand what the soul is, Krsna is putting it in context of the material senses. That is, he is describing the existence of the spiritual by explaining what it is not.

We all have experience of this. Sometimes when we are trying to explain a concept or object to someone, we define it by "what it is not." That is, if we cannot express what it is, then we express it in a way that describes what it isn't.

Since the spirit soul is not material, but due to the fact we can only relate with what is material, this explanation through negation is being utilized. That's not to say that Krsna hasn't tried to explain what the soul is in a detailed way. As a reminder, in previous verses, Krsna explained that the soul (by the symptom of consciousness) pervades the entire body, is eternal and is infinitesimally small.

Here, however, more detail is being given. The soul cannot be cut to pieces, be burned, be moistened by water nor withered by the wind. All the material elements cannot effect the soul. That's how powerful and protected the spirit soul is.

God is the perfect teacher. He knows the advancement and level of his students and thus teaches accordingly. We are so lucky to have a Lord who loves us so much!

utility is the principle

Verse 2.21: O Pārtha, how can a person who knows that the soul is indestructible, eternal, unborn and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?

The principle of utility is being highlighted in today's verse. If someone fully understands something, it is only then that they can utilize it to it's full extent.

In this case, when one fully understands that the soul is indestructible, eternal, unborn, and immutable, it is then that spiritual life can begin. It's as though everything falls into place for the bhakti practitioner and all the questions and confusions that may arise due to misidentification with the body just washes away.

Everything has a purpose and whether an aspiring spiritualist or not, we all experience it in our lives. Why else do people feel like they are "meant to do" something? The bhakti texts speak about this in fact. They state that one contributes effectively to society when one works according to their nature and inclinations. The sad truth remains, however, that nowadays very few are encouraged to actually contribute to the world by honing and utilizing their talents and skills. Instead, security and money are the goal. So even if one is operating in the consciousness that "I am this body", they cannot be satisfied by trying to do something that we are not inclined towards. It's like fitting a square peg in a round hole.

Interesting, isn't it? This is the depth of the bhakti texts. Although ultimately they are there to help us develop our dormant love for God, they simultaneously provides us with information on how to function effectively in the material world. They tell us how to usefully engage our given body and mind. If you think about it, it makes perfects sense. Although we are not of this world, we are currently residing here. If we are not guided as to how to operate in the material world properly, then we will not only be unsuccessful materially but also spiritually!

For those who want to take it a step further, the bhakti texts then introduce the fundamental truth that we are not this body but actually the spirit soul. That knowledge is one of the keys to advancement in spiritual life. From there, one can now utilize the body in a way that serves the soul's actual purpose. So one has choices. One can learn how to utilize the body effectively for the sake of the body (which is temporary and subject to birth, disease, old age and death) or one can learn how to utilize it for the sake of the soul (which is eternal).

So in this way the body can be utilized either to gratify the senses or in devotion. So what does that mean? This is where bhakti is so practical. The practice of bhakti is not about negation but one of proper engagement. Those very senses which we use as a means to satisfy ourselves can instead be used in service of God. By our hands we can offer items in gratitude, by our lips and tongue we can glorify him, by our legs we can visit places of pilgrimage and so on and so forth.

It's our choice. We can continue in our vain attempts to satisfy the body through the senses or use our body in the service of satisfying God, which will naturally make us happy. This goes to show, that despite the fact the body is temporary, it is so useful! It is the vehicle by which we can show our devotion to Krsna.

the easy way

Verse 2.16: Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent [the material body] there is no endurance and of the eternal [the soul] there is no change. This they have concluded by studying the nature of both.

Would you consider yourself to do/learn things the hard way or the easy way? Think about it...carefully. On greater inspection, personally, I've realized that my tendency is to do things the hard way. In fact, most of the material world seems to like to do things the hard way.

The clear indication of that is our tendency to just not "get it". For example, we all have experiences of trying to achieve something by doing the same thing over and over again thinking that "this time it will be different." This pretty much sums up our experience in the material world. Constantly hitting our heads against the wall without getting what we want.

That's doing things the hard way. In fact, Einstein said it best, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

So here, Krsna is telling us, "I"m giving you the answer. Not only I, but the great souls, have concluded that the material body is temporary and the soul is eternal." All we need to do is take this to heart. But oh no, our ego is thinking we know best and that we need to figure it out. What actually gets accomplished in the end with this thinking? Nothing. More frustration and anxiety.

This highlights the importance of taking bona fide guidance, not just in our spiritual lives, but in everyday life as well. Can you imagine trying to learn all the parts of a car, how they function and how they interact with one another on your own? It's not to say that one couldn't do it, it's just that it's the hard way! Instead if we learn from an expert mechanic and study under their guidance, everything is sped up.

So that's what the Bhagavad-gita and bhakti yoga is all about. It's the easy way to help us reconnect with God. So it's up to you, what are you going to chose in your material and/or spiritual life? The easy way or the hard way?