Hari om everyone,
Here's a synopsis for this week. After meditation, we learnt BG ch. 3 till Verse 23.
Attendance was a little slim today. We understand the reason. It was FIFA, Soccer World Cup finals! We even received messages from some students stating the real reason for their absence and wanted to know how to make up for the class. We truly appreciate the honesty! :). Hope this email helps to get the gist of the class!
We discussed soccer quite some, in class today too :).
We started with meditation followed by Gita chanting. We have learned Chapter 2 till verse 24 now.
Our Kyun Kyun - (QQ - Quirky Question) for the day: What is it that is always coming but never arrives? (We found the answer later on during our discussion.)
Today, we summarized chapters 3 and 4.
Arjuna asked, 'if knowledge is better than action, then why are you asking me to engage in the war? Why are you confusing me about what I should do?'
Krishna explained Karma yoga to Arjuna. He spoke about how to perform actions with the right attitude - arpaNa bhaava (surrendering to the Lord) - offering the fruits of our actions to the Lord. Instead, we perform our actions with a kartRutva bhaava (doership) - that I did/didn't do this, I am so great/awful, etc.
When we accomplish something, we are so proud of ourselves! We need to remember 'GOATs don't gloat!' GOATs (Greatest Of All Times) are truly humble and don't brag about their achievements. On the other hand, one may attribute their failures to themselves, get depressed or take their own life. The recent suicide of the dancer tWitch was very sad. Defining the outcome of an event as oneself can lead to taking such extreme steps.
We learned that we should separate 'me' from 'the results of my actions'. I am much beyond just the results.
My nature is dependent on my vaasanas (inherent tendencies). My past vaasanas defined my today. My today will define my future.
We discussed fate vs. free will. Should I resign to fate or do I have free will? This story helped us understand better -
One man was eagerly checking the lottery results in the newspaper. Then he started complaining to his friend, 'I never win anything! I have been seeing for 10 years. Not a single time have I won!!' The friend tried to comfort him, 'so sorry to hear that. Where do you buy your lottery tickets?' The first man said, 'what lottery tickets?! I never bought any tickets!' 😀
How could he win without even buying a ticket, to begin with? What if it was written in his fate that he will win if he bought a ticket?! He was expecting results without even putting forth his efforts!! We have to use our free will (buy the ticket) and THEN see if we will win (fate). So this translates to - do your best, leave the rest! We should do our duty but not be elated/bogged down by the outcomes.
In simple words, if we drop our selfish motives and perform our actions for the higher good, it becomes karma yoga.
The best and latest example is Lionel Messi. Even before playing today's finals, he has said, 'the Golden Boot is not as important as winning the trophy for the team!' Golden Boot is the award for the player who scores the most goals. The trophy is for the winning team. This is a small example of the yajna spirit. Not for personal gains (Golden Boot) but actions for a higher good (team Trophy)!
Here, we see that these words from the Geetaa are so practical! The principles of Sanaatana Dharma are so universal!!
The best time to start practicing this yajna spirit is, today! Because, tomorrow is always coming, but never arrives 😊 (This is the answer to our QQ of the day)
Krishna said, 'I taught all this knowledge to Sun God many eons ago'. Arjuna was surprised. He said, 'Krishna, you were born a couple of years before me. But Sun has been shining for many many eons. How could you claim to have taught to Sun God?!'
Krishna explained, 'both you and I, Arjuna, have taken many births. I remember them all, but you don't.' The reason is, we identify ourselves with the Body, Mind, Intellect (BMI) of this birth. We are much more than that. The Lord remembers them all because he doesn't identify himself with just the BMI of this birth.
This can be equated to me identifying myself as a high schooler, but having amnesia about my younger years. But Krishna remembers them all. We have to transcend from remembering only a tiny bit of ourselves to realizing that we are A LOT more than that! This can be done by learning under a guru.
Question everything like Arjuna did. The purpose should be 'to understand better!'
Happy Holidays to you all. Have a safe and warm break. We will see you next year 😊.
Regards,
Rashmi and Ananya.
