Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 > Bhagavad GITA STUDY 16 > > Sri Bhagavan's Selection of the 42 most important > verses > from the Bhagavad Gita from the 700 available. Placed in > order for our spiritual guidance.It is called the Song > Celestial and is published in his Collected Works. > > -oOo- > > " Only by unswerving devotion can I be known and truly > seen in this form, Arjuna, and even be entered into, O > tormentor of the foe. " XI 54 > > Comment: Here Sri Bhagavan leads us to the necessity of > Devotion or Bhakti Marga on the path, culminating in total > surrender of ego to Self. It is an answer to Arjuna, > ourselves in this context, who enquire if we can see the > formless God, the Self in our Hearts, and even be entered > into? Arjuna is called 'tormentor of the foe', > because the Gita War mirrors our own holy, inner struggle > (the real Jihad) , to torment the vasanas, samskaras and > vrittis, as they arise through continuous Self Enquiry. > > Please add comments or ask questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Dear Alan and Friends: Whenever I read this very practical list of slokas, I try to apply them to the immediate reality of my daily life. Not being a Gita " scholar " I know many of my views will lack context and perspective, but as Krishna says to Arjuna, nothing will be lost (talking about efforts) in the end! Here some thoughts, Yours in Bhagavan, Mouna 14. " He who abandons the injunctions of the scriptures and behaves according to the impulses of his desires, attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the highest state of salvation. " XVI 23 Scriptures, according to the hindu view are the only means to get to know what otherwise is unknowable and beyond description. Like our eyes see forms and our ears hear sound, the Scriptures are the instrument of knowledge that allow us to know the Self that we are but mistakenly forgot due to ignorance. Self cannot be known by any other means. Cases like Bhagavan are rare, he himself told that he was prepared in previous lifetimes to attain Self-Realization. That's why he didn't need the Scriptures, but " after the fact " he thoroughly study them and became and excellent teacher and sanskrit poet. He dressed up his understanding and experience with the tools of the Scriptures. Self-Enquiry wasn't his invention, it was already there in the Scriptures. He just extracted the juice, the nectar, and gave it to us in concentrated form. Mind turn outwards has a sense of lack, so it is always trying to fill it with sense gratification that in its turn create more impulses, the never ending story goes on and on. Nothing in Life points to the effort of turning the mind inward except the Scriptures, and then explained by our Teachers. That's why an outward mind will never be happy, full and awake. 15 " He who sees the Supreme Lord, residing equally in all beings-the Imperishable One among the perishables-sees truly. XIII 28 (not 27) " If we are able to see the water in and through the waves, the ocean, the clouds, and the ice, we should be able to see in every living entity that conscious principle that enlivens the different equipments. It is a good practice to look at a person trying to " see through " the character that is playing at the moment. Our own body and mind could also be seen under this light. Every sentient being says " I " , the only difference being the structure of the equipment given. Stones and " inert matter " also is pervaded by Consciousness but there is no equipment to reflect, so they appeared to us (who have a reflective mind) to be inert. 16. " Only by unswerving devotion can I be known and truly seen in this form, Arjuna, and even be entered into, O tormentor of the foe. " XI 54 The ultimate devotion is the offering of our mistaken identity, our split mind into the fire of knowledge. Krishna says in other verses that the devotion of a Jnani is the highest form of Devotion and Love, because a Jnani has become one (or understood that was never separated) with the object of his Devotion. So, what is the only way to " see the formless " other than sacrificing our " own form " in every act we engage? ........................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Dear Mouna, Thank you very much. Once again we are indebted to you for your thorough amplification of these texts. Food for pondering, and very helpful. All best wishes and warm regards, Alan --- On Wed, 10/9/08, upadesa <maunna wrote: upadesa <maunna Re: GITA STUDY 16 Date: Wednesday, 10 September, 2008, 7:37 PM Dear Alan and Friends:Whenever I read this very practical list of slokas, I try to applythem to the immediate reality of my daily life. Not being a Gita"scholar" I know many of my views will lack context and perspective,but as Krishna says to Arjuna, nothing will be lost (talking aboutefforts) in the end!Here some thoughts,Yours in Bhagavan,Mouna14. "He who abandons the injunctions of the scriptures and behavesaccording to the impulses of his desires, attains neither perfection,nor happiness, nor the highest state of salvation." XVI 23Scriptures, according to the hindu view are the only means to getto know what otherwise is unknowable and beyond description. Like oureyes see forms and our ears hear sound, the Scriptures are theinstrument of knowledge that allow us to know the Self that we are butmistakenly forgot due to ignorance. Self cannot be known by any othermeans. Cases like Bhagavan are rare, he himself told that he wasprepared in previous lifetimes to attain Self-Realization. That's whyhe didn't need the Scriptures, but "after the fact" he thoroughlystudy them and became and excellent teacher and sanskrit poet. Hedressed up his understanding and experience with the tools of theScriptures. Self-Enquiry wasn't his invention, it was already there inthe Scriptures. He just extracted the juice, the nectar, and gave itto us in concentrated form. Mind turn outwards has a sense of lack, soit is always trying to fill it with sense gratification that in itsturn create more impulses, the never ending story goes on and on.Nothing in Life points to the effort of turning the mind inward exceptthe Scriptures, and then explained by our Teachers. That's why anoutward mind will never be happy, full and awake.15 "He who sees the Supreme Lord, residing equally in all beings-theImperishable One among the perishables- sees truly. XIII 28 (not 27)"If we are able to see the water in and through the waves, theocean, the clouds, and the ice, we should be able to see in everyliving entity that conscious principle that enlivens the differentequipments. It is a good practice to look at a person trying to "seethrough" the character that is playing at the moment. Our own body andmind could also be seen under this light. Every sentient being says"I", the only difference being the structure of the equipment given.Stones and "inert matter" also is pervaded by Consciousness but thereis no equipment to reflect, so they appeared to us (who have areflective mind) to be inert.16. "Only by unswerving devotion can I be known and truly seen inthis form, Arjuna, and even be entered into, O tormentor of the foe."XI 54The ultimate devotion is the offering of our mistaken identity,our split mind into the fire of knowledge. Krishna says in otherverses that the devotion of a Jnani is the highest form of Devotionand Love, because a Jnani has become one (or understood that was neverseparated) with the object of his Devotion. So, what is the only wayto "see the formless" other than sacrificing our "own form" in everyact we engage? ............ ......... .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Dear Mouna, " So, what is the only way to " see the formless " other than sacrificing our " own form " in every act we engage? " Well said. Since we all know the theory part well enough, what we need are practical steps to take, such as the above, to reach the end - ego-less existence. I guess, you did mean sacrificing 'the sense of doership' in addition to the 'form'. To be more strict, even the 'sacrificing' is a happening rather than a doing. Thanks sundar , Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs wrote: > > Dear Mouna, > Â > Thank you very much. Once again we are indebted to you for your thorough amplification of these texts. Food for pondering, and very helpful. > Â > All best wishes and warm regards, > Â > Alan > > --- On Wed, 10/9/08, upadesa <maunna wrote: > > upadesa <maunna > Re: GITA STUDY 16 > > Wednesday, 10 September, 2008, 7:37 PM Dear Alan and Friends: > > Whenever I read this very practical list of slokas, I try to apply > them to the immediate reality of my daily life. Not being a Gita > " scholar " I know many of my views will lack context and perspective, > but as Krishna says to Arjuna, nothing will be lost (talking about > efforts) in the end! > Here some thoughts, > Yours in Bhagavan, > Mouna > > 14. " He who abandons the injunctions of the scriptures and behaves > according to the impulses of his desires, attains neither perfection, > nor happiness, nor the highest state of salvation. " XVI 23 > > Scriptures, according to the hindu view are the only means to get > to know what otherwise is unknowable and beyond description. Like our > eyes see forms and our ears hear sound, the Scriptures are the > instrument of knowledge that allow us to know the Self that we are but > mistakenly forgot due to ignorance. Self cannot be known by any other > means. Cases like Bhagavan are rare, he himself told that he was > prepared in previous lifetimes to attain Self-Realization. That's why > he didn't need the Scriptures, but " after the fact " he thoroughly > study them and became and excellent teacher and sanskrit poet. He > dressed up his understanding and experience with the tools of the > Scriptures. Self-Enquiry wasn't his invention, it was already there in > the Scriptures. He just extracted the juice, the nectar, and gave it > to us in concentrated form. Mind turn outwards has a sense of lack, so > it is always trying to fill it with sense gratification that in its > turn create more impulses, the never ending story goes on and on. > Nothing in Life points to the effort of turning the mind inward except > the Scriptures, and then explained by our Teachers. That's why an > outward mind will never be happy, full and awake. > > 15 " He who sees the Supreme Lord, residing equally in all beings-the > Imperishable One among the perishables- sees truly. XIII 28 (not 27) " > > If we are able to see the water in and through the waves, the > ocean, the clouds, and the ice, we should be able to see in every > living entity that conscious principle that enlivens the different > equipments. It is a good practice to look at a person trying to " see > through " the character that is playing at the moment. Our own body and > mind could also be seen under this light. Every sentient being says > " I " , the only difference being the structure of the equipment given. > Stones and " inert matter " also is pervaded by Consciousness but there > is no equipment to reflect, so they appeared to us (who have a > reflective mind) to be inert. > > 16. " Only by unswerving devotion can I be known and truly seen in > this form, Arjuna, and even be entered into, O tormentor of the foe. " > XI 54 > > The ultimate devotion is the offering of our mistaken identity, > our split mind into the fire of knowledge. Krishna says in other > verses that the devotion of a Jnani is the highest form of Devotion > and Love, because a Jnani has become one (or understood that was never > separated) with the object of his Devotion. So, what is the only way > to " see the formless " other than sacrificing our " own form " in every > act we engage? > > ............ ......... .. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 " Sundararajan " <sundar22ca wrote: > I guess, you did mean sacrificing 'the sense of doership' in addition > to the 'form'. To be more strict, even the 'sacrificing' is a > happening rather than a doing. Dear Sundar, Thanks for clarifying the thought. Yes, the 'sense of doership " is, to my eyes, the " form " of the Ego. And so far that we are talking " within " the Relative level, the sacrificing " apparently " is " done " by the Ego itself (or the thorn pulling out another thorn). From the Absolute (Self) point of view, nothing ever happened, not even what " happens " !! Yours in Bhagavan, Mouna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 , " Sundararajan " <sundar22ca wrote: > > Dear Mouna, > " So, what is the only way to " see the formless " other than sacrificing > our " own form " in every act we engage? " > > Well said. Since we all know the theory part well enough, what we need > are practical steps to take, such as the above, to reach the end - > ego-less existence. > > I guess, you did mean sacrificing 'the sense of doership' in addition > to the 'form'. To be more strict, even the 'sacrificing' is a > happening rather than a doing. > > Thanks > sundar > > who sacrifes? what? and when? unborn and omnipresent, formless and nameless, truth is forver self evident and doubtless. jai ramana guruji! jai > > , Alan Jacobs > <alanadamsjacobs@> wrote: > > > > Dear Mouna, > > Â > > Thank you very much. Once again we are indebted to you for your > thorough amplification of these texts. Food for pondering, and very > helpful. > > Â > > All best wishes and warm regards, > > Â > > Alan > > > > --- On Wed, 10/9/08, upadesa <maunna@> wrote: > > > > upadesa <maunna@> > > Re: GITA STUDY 16 > > > > Wednesday, 10 September, 2008, 7:37 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear Alan and Friends: > > > > Whenever I read this very practical list of slokas, I try to apply > > them to the immediate reality of my daily life. Not being a Gita > > " scholar " I know many of my views will lack context and perspective, > > but as Krishna says to Arjuna, nothing will be lost (talking about > > efforts) in the end! > > Here some thoughts, > > Yours in Bhagavan, > > Mouna > > > > 14. " He who abandons the injunctions of the scriptures and behaves > > according to the impulses of his desires, attains neither perfection, > > nor happiness, nor the highest state of salvation. " XVI 23 > > > > Scriptures, according to the hindu view are the only means to get > > to know what otherwise is unknowable and beyond description. Like our > > eyes see forms and our ears hear sound, the Scriptures are the > > instrument of knowledge that allow us to know the Self that we are but > > mistakenly forgot due to ignorance. Self cannot be known by any other > > means. Cases like Bhagavan are rare, he himself told that he was > > prepared in previous lifetimes to attain Self-Realization. That's why > > he didn't need the Scriptures, but " after the fact " he thoroughly > > study them and became and excellent teacher and sanskrit poet. He > > dressed up his understanding and experience with the tools of the > > Scriptures. Self-Enquiry wasn't his invention, it was already there in > > the Scriptures. He just extracted the juice, the nectar, and gave it > > to us in concentrated form. Mind turn outwards has a sense of lack, so > > it is always trying to fill it with sense gratification that in its > > turn create more impulses, the never ending story goes on and on. > > Nothing in Life points to the effort of turning the mind inward except > > the Scriptures, and then explained by our Teachers. That's why an > > outward mind will never be happy, full and awake. > > > > 15 " He who sees the Supreme Lord, residing equally in all beings- the > > Imperishable One among the perishables- sees truly. XIII 28 (not 27) " > > > > If we are able to see the water in and through the waves, the > > ocean, the clouds, and the ice, we should be able to see in every > > living entity that conscious principle that enlivens the different > > equipments. It is a good practice to look at a person trying to " see > > through " the character that is playing at the moment. Our own body and > > mind could also be seen under this light. Every sentient being says > > " I " , the only difference being the structure of the equipment given. > > Stones and " inert matter " also is pervaded by Consciousness but there > > is no equipment to reflect, so they appeared to us (who have a > > reflective mind) to be inert. > > > > 16. " Only by unswerving devotion can I be known and truly seen in > > this form, Arjuna, and even be entered into, O tormentor of the foe. " > > XI 54 > > > > The ultimate devotion is the offering of our mistaken identity, > > our split mind into the fire of knowledge. Krishna says in other > > verses that the devotion of a Jnani is the highest form of Devotion > > and Love, because a Jnani has become one (or understood that was never > > separated) with the object of his Devotion. So, what is the only way > > to " see the formless " other than sacrificing our " own form " in every > > act we engage? > > > > ............ ......... .. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 " yosyx " <yosyflug wrote: > who sacrifes? what? and when? The one who is asking these questions... Jai! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 , " upadesa " <maunna wrote: > > " yosyx " <yosyflug@> wrote: > > > who sacrifes? what? and when? > > The one who is asking these questions... > > Jai! > jai jai! nobody... i looked for the seeker within and without. searched for him everywhere. and found no trace of " me " ... only echoes of the friend's laughter rippling through empty space. all is s/he! ('the self') BOOM! _()_ yosy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.