The Bhagavad Gita - Autumn Term 2024
During the Autumn term our focus was the Yoga and Hindu scripture of “The Bhagavad Gita” and the messages it contains about how we can live our lives in the modern world.
The key messages we investigated included:
Selfless action
Performing one’s duty selflessly and in accordance with your Dharma, your reason for being, is perhaps the most salient message of the Gita.
Any code of life based on the satisfaction of mere desire leads to unhappiness. Therefore, selfless duty that goes beyond selfish motives and is for the greater good is very important.
At the same time the Gita encourages that action should be done with dispassion and without worrying about the outcomes. Performance of one’s duty is in all respects better than inaction.
The nature of Self
Our being has two aspects, the life spirit or the soul (Purusha) that is eternal and indestructible, and the physical existence (Prakriti) that is transient and perishable.
Life comes to be from this union of body and soul. The soul goes through cycles of life and death, and takes on new physical forms as if it is wearing and shedding clothes.
This concept of the nature of self and recognition of the existence of soul is the core foundation from which then flow the various messages of Gita.
The Gunas
The Gita divides human activities, desires, tastes, and indeed everything into three classes or “Gunas”. These are states of energy, and each can be converted into the others.
a. Sattvic – wherein the spirit of truth and harmony dominates
b. Rajasik – wherein the urge to action, the passion nature dominates
c. Tamasik – wherein inertia dominates
We are all born with a certain mix of Gunas based on our past Karma, which find expression in our personality and behaviour. However, Gita makes it clear that by personal effort and by the practice of self-control we may be delivered of the character load with which we begin.
Karma
The cycle of life and death that our eternal self goes through implies that the results of our current actions reflect in not just this life but also in future lives.
Equally our situation in current life (intellect, tastes, inclinations) is because of latent impressions from actions in past life.
Nature of the universal force
It is the basis for all creation and the continuous cycle of life. It is without beginning or end. It is the infinite, indivisible reality underlying all life. It is the essence of all existence. It is the life spirit behind all life forms. It is all pervasive. It is inside all of us (Jivatama) and also connects all existence.
Thus, the individual soul may also be looked upon as a fragment of the universal spirit.
This is beautifully captured by the words Tat Tvam Asi: “Thou are That”.
Maya or Illusion
The underlying unity of existence is distorted by Maya or Illusion.
The illusion is sense of separateness which is fed by our ego and attachment to senses. The ego creates a false impression that we are separate from perusha. The more we feed the ego (“I am the doer”) more the sense of separateness grows.
Senses take us further away from the self and towards attachment by making us a slave of desires.
Our higher purpose
When we go beyond the many layers of physical existence (mind, body, intellect, senses, ego), we realise our true self – the eternal life spirit.
And, in that discovery is the realisation of oneness with everything. When that happens we become liberated (Moksha) from the continuous cycle of deed and consequence, of life and death.
The 4 Paths of Yoga
There are several paths to realising our true self and gaining liberation from the cycle of life and death. The Gita calls them Yogas, disciplines for achieving the state of union - or ways of life.
The Gita describes 4 Yogas:
1) Karma Yoga – the path of action
2) Jnana Yoga – the path of knowledge
3) Bhakti Yoga – the path of love and devotion
4) Raja Yoga – the path of meditation
The path or combination of paths that work for you depends upon your nature.
The common factor is harnessing the senses and subordinating our ego and thus overcome the main obstacles that stop us from realising our true self.
Karma Yoga
Action for self feeds the ego, the sense of “I”, and increases the separation of mind/body and spirit
While selfless action done with dispassion and accepting the outcomes cuts through the ego and does not leave a Karmic residue.
Therefore, progressing on the path of action also advances us on the path of realisation.
Jnana Yoga
Is the understanding of the nature of self, the interplay between its different aspects, and the oneness between the true self and the universe.
Knowledge is not gained necessarily through a study of scripture but is a process of self-realisation.
Bhakti Yoga
Is the path of love, of devotion. It is the path of humility.
It is moving away from attachment
Raja Yoga
Is stilling the various layers of physical existence through Yoga and meditation.
When we still ourselves we realise our inner self and the infinite wisdom and joy that comes with it.
The Gita says, “When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place. In the still mind, in the depths of meditation, the Self reveals itself.”
Krishna also gives the following advice regarding how to move on a spiritual path:
a. Be fearless and pure, never waiver in your determination or your dedication to your Dharma
b. Be self-controlled, control your senses and regulate the routine of life, work, food, sleep etc. For example, the food we eat daily has its effect on our psychology and character
c. Realise the truth of the scriptures, learn to be detached and take joy in self realisation
d. Be unselfish but attentive in performance of duties. Cultivate physical strength, good health, patience, will, purity; avoid malice and pride
e. Do not get angry or harm any living creature, but be compassionate and gentle; show good will to all.
f. Give freely.
g. Meditate for turning the mind inwards
h. Let it happen