- What outlines does Krishna give for disciplining the body?
- How does one control the mind? What is 'samadhi'?
- Is it possible to become free from desire? How should a devotee approach this?
- What is the real meaning of 'Rama' when chanted in the Maha Mantra?
- Association - reflect on your own life, think about all those whom you mix/socialise/work most with, how do they make you feel? Why is association with devotees important? What is the role of Guru in one's life?
- What are jnana and vijnana? How do we address these in life, How much time do we spend on each and how does it relate to sadhana?
Always try to reflect on your own spiritual life after the reading. Please feel free to write realisations, discussion points and quotes both here and on the BBG facebook page.
Ok someone has got to get the ball rolling..
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed perfection of yoga.. have been overlooking SP's small books for last few years (in favour of the larger books) but forgetting how amazing they are.. fully concentrated nectar! These are 'introductory' books? well they are distributed to anyone and everyone.. but they get right in there from the get go!
Interesting being reminded of 'Jnana' & 'Vijnana'. We can read one needs to practice a regulated life to achieve a fruitful spiritual life but often my mind sees the regulation as 'rules' and wants to bend or break them and not taking them so seriously.
I preach 'we are not this body' but continuously want to enjoy through the body and in turn become hypocritical. so what to do? stop trying to 'enjoy' through my bodies senses and gain knowledge through reading scripture? well it appears that this really won't REALLY satisfy either.. Jnana (knowledge) is one thing but it needs Vijana (applied knowledge). In the Gita Krishna says renunciation of work and working in devotion both have the same goal of attaining Krishna but out of the two working in devotion is better.
So we can stop trying to enjoy through our bodies but really the only way we will get what we are looking for (happiness- enjoyment) is actually working in devotion - Bhakti.
So i am going to try to remember this. when i am not so happy.. it means i am not tapping in to the 'reservoir of pleasure' (rama). if I act in devotion - chanting with attention, offering my food to Krishna with my heart (and not just a ritual), when i try to do something for my devotee friends (seeing them as a servant of krishna)and not expecting anything in return then thats when the pleasure will come. Then i will realize that i dont need anything external to be happy!
Seems so clear at the moment... wrestling with the three modes though.. I need the mercy of the devotees to keep me on track :-)