Concluding Class: THE MESSAGE OF GITA & Introduction to Upanishad Classes

Ashirvachanas By HH Sri Sri Shankara Bharathi and Swami Chidananda

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Contributed By Dr Thimappa Hegde

THE MESSAGE OF GITA

Contributed By Dr Sunder

THE NEUTRAL GEAR

As seekers, we must avoid a life of World dependence or a life based on Raga Dveshas. As it happened with Arjuna in Chapter 1 of Bhagavad Gita, these lead one to Shoka and Moha. Such delusion makes one's life wasteful. Raga Dveshas lead us to samsara. This approach will cause spiritual stagnation so must be avoided.

THE FIRST GEAR

A life of God Dependence of an attitude, of Ishwara Arpana Bhava & Ishwara Prasada Buddhi, of Karma Yoga, lift us away from Samsara and provide us with the benefit of Samatvam. This approach allows us to reverentially appreciate the whole creation as a manifestation God. This approach transforms us to refined cultured self a welcome step on the spiritual journey

THE SECOND OR TOP GEAR

Mental purity and an ability to concentrate and focus are an inner wealth which one earns by living a life of Karma Upasana Yoga. These permit one to live a life of Jnana Yoga or Sravana Manana Nidhidhyasana through the grace of Guru Sastra sampradaya. This is also a life of self-dependence of constant abiding in one true self which is of the nature of complete contentment happiness - poornatvam. Thereafter all ones emotional responses are in keeping with such emotional fulfilment. The world and people remain the same but one's responses are OUT OF happiness and not FOR happiness. Such a person is Jivan Mukta. Jnanam burns all karmas to ashes so there is no rebirth for him.

Lord Krishna is asking us… Can we avoid the Neutral Gear and dwell in the First and Top Gears as we lead our lives?