Resumption of Gita Satsangh from Sri Krishna Janmashtami

[Guest guest]

Namaste:

 

We have been discussing Cyber Gita Satsangh in the list, we have

completed chapter 10 of Gita during April 2006. Our recent

discussions mostly focused on Ishwara and our understanding can

certainly be further enhanced through Gita Satsangh. We will begin

chapter 11 from Sri Krishna Janmashtami (September 3) and the day of

His birth is most appropriate. We will follow the same format that we

followed before - posting two to three verses per week and allowing

members to provide their insights and personal experience with a

focus on the verses under discussion.

 

Hopefully the Cyber Satsangh will help members to dedicate sometime

every week in the study of Gita. In a regular (personal attendance)

Satsangh, we begin with an opening prayer, few minutes of Meditation

followed by chanting of the verses, listening to the translation and

commentary from the studygroup leader and finally with interactive

discussion between the members moderated by the leader. The Satsangh

concludes with closing prayers. Those who join the Cyber Satsangh can

allocate a specific time during the week for Gita Study by focusing

on the verses under discussion. Beginning prayer, a moment of silence

followed by reading the verses and ending with a closing prayer will

certainly provide all of us to help purification of our thoughts on a

weekly basis. Chanting and/or listening to the verses will help all

of us to focus our mind with devotion.

 

Gita study requires dedication, attention and determination to follow

the suggested path during the Satsangh. The purpose is not to expose

one's mastery of the subject matter, but one's devotion to the truth

spoken by the Lord. Hopefully, with shraddha (faith and conviction)

we can all develop discipline to respect and accept the viewpoints

expressed by others. None of us are free from making mistakes and we

can correct and get corrected without injuring ours and others'

feelings! Satsangh is a great opportunity for us to develop kindness

and compassion and let us not miss this opportunity.

 

Ideally, the list discussions should be also treated as a Cyber

Satsangh of Vedanta. We the participants should try our level best to

help the fellow members to enhance their knowledge of Vedanta. The

cyber discussions will hopefully help us to accept the fact the

infinitude of the Brahman can be expressed using multiple of

frameworks and will help us to find the unity in the diversity of

expressions. Discussions alone will not help us to purify our minds

and only with practice we can reach the ultimate goal.

 

With my warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran