Online Gita Lite Course: 2019

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Gita LIte Session 6: Ch 16-18

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Reflection on "We need eyes to see what our eyes need to see" by Tiffany Cooper

I chose this article to write about because it is such a good reminder to stay aware of my attachments in the material world and not let them divert me from my spiritual path. It also helped me to remember the pricelessness of the knowledge that Srila Prabhupada sacrificed so much to bring to us. He has given us knowledge that no other path has given in such a deep and descriptive way. Often I think of how grateful I am to Srila Prabhupada for establishing a movement to educate us on what is truly our birthright…to know that we are not the body and that we are servants of Krsna. It is so liberating to know our place in the Universe and how to get back to that place after this long journey of “distressing consequences of indulgence”. Srila Prabhupada has given us eyes to see so we can put an end to our suffering in the material world. That is a gift that can never be repaid.

Chaitanya Charan prabhu mentioned the dynamic of us “trying to pursue higher happiness and trying to resist lower temptations”. As devotees we have all been blessed to be brought to a system that will help us do just that. By practicing Bhakti yoga we will develop a higher taste and seek spiritual growth rather than material indulgence. I also appreciate how Chaitanya Charan mentions that we need to deal with “our conception that worldly pleasures are enjoyable” because it gives us a practical way to release our attachments. By opening our eyes to the fleeting nature of the material world while teaching us about the eternal nature of the soul, Krsna consciousness directs us toward living a truly purposeful life. Srila Prabhupada has presented us with the gifts of truth and a society of devotees to help strengthen our realization of that truth. All we have to do is stay on the path that has been so expertly laid out for us and we will attract the mercy of Krsna.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Gita Lite Session 5

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Reflection on "Choosing Krsna is the one choice that empowers us to make better choices" by Tiffany Cooper

“Choosing Krsna is the one choice that empowers us to make better choices”

This topic has been a meditation for me a lot lately. Within a short period of time my life has almost completely changed and has put me in the position of making many choices. I am usually a decisive person but in the last few months I have been questioning my rationale when making choices. With all of the changes in my life have come several challenges. I have always welcomed challenges because I like problem solving to test myself but my life is shifting and I have grown tired of certain challenges.

As I watched Chaitanya Charan prabhu’s video on this subject I was inspired by the idea of having a map to guide us. With everything going on in my life I have been working on surrendering to Krsna. I know that He will show me the way but I have a hard time asking for His help. I have never felt that it was right for me to ask for help from the divine. I always thought I just had to suffer through until I did what I could to make positive changes or things naturally got better. I am starting to understand that not only am I not alone but that I am supposed to ask for help from the only one who can help me! The thought of surrendering to Krsna is so very precious to me. Now, I can begin to experience that thought. I can finally begin to live a real devotional life.

Reflection by Gail Cusmai

At first, I thought that I was going to reflect only on the article entitled "Bhakti Renders the Metaphysical Physical and the Physical Metaphysical", but upon reading the other two articles, I discerned that the same theme was present in all three, i.e., that by utilizing the physical things available to us in a devotional mood, those things become spiritualized or metaphysical, and then by His own sweet, independent will, Krsna reciprocates with our devotion by manifesting Himself in our lives in some form or other - the metaphysical becomes physical.

In the case of the aforementioned article, I extrapolated that through the devotional approach to the physical things of this world, not only can those things become spiritualized, but we can also transform their effects on our consciousness from material to spiritual - the physical becomes metaphysical. Our devotion can also inspire Krsna to manifest Himself in holy places, mantras, Deities or in whatever other physical forms He chooses - the metaphysical becomes physical.

From the article entitled, "The World Sees Outside-In; God Sees Inside-Out", I understood that when we utilize the physical objects in our environment - which includes our minds, bodies and words - to connect with Krsna in a loving way, the physical is being rendered metaphysical. And in reciprocation, Krsna manifests Himself in various ways such as the fulfillment that's felt in the heart; the expression of talents that might even exceed our karmic capabilities; and a diminishing of feeling overwhelmed by personal deficiencies in other areas that would otherwise stifle those talents. Thus, the metaphysical is rendered physical.

"Choosing Krishna is the One Choice that Empowers Us to Make Better Choices" also illustrates this toggling between the physical and the metaphysical. When we make earnest endeavors to regularly practice loving Krsna, we are repeatedly choosing Krsna over material alternatives. Employing our intelligence in this devotional way renders the physical intelligence metaphysical, i.e., the intelligence is becoming spiritualized. When we persevere in applying our intelligence in this way despite the obstacles that dot our path, Krsna reciprocates. This article enabled me to recognize Krsna in the physical form of not only the triumph over bad habits but also in the form of the precursor stages that lead up to that victory, such as a growing distaste for relapses and the intelligence to make choices that will support the growth of my loving relationship with Him.

Reflection on BG 9.26 by Julie Pasqual (Jamuna Jaya)

As a devotee, much of the time, I feel like a "hot mess" - my Sanskrit is not good, my tilak application (when I remember) looks like a two month old drew on my face, my attempts at garland making, kartal playing, and goodness know- my singing would not be held up as exemplary! I fear that I am offending in every which way - and then, I remember Gita verse 9.26 (in English of course, because my ability to memorize verses in Sanskrit is also pretty wanting!) - If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it. THANK YOU, KRSNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To quote Adi, at the Bhakti Center, "How wonderful is Krsna!" Yes, I think how wonderful is this All Supreme who is the best of the best, yet will accept my humblest of offerings, because he can see that my intention is pure. Gaura Vani once said that just like we made those macaroni necklaces for our mothers on Mother's Day, and our Mom's wore those uncooked, painted pieces around their necks like they were the Crown Jewels, Krsna is accepting our offerings, because he can see to the heart of the matter. I remember this verse when I feel foolish, when I feel like hiding, when I feel like I have failed my Guru. Indeed, how wonderful is Krsna that he accepts my offerings - hot messes though they be.

Gita Lite: Session 4: Ch 9-11 (Recording)

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Reflection on "Essence of Commitment is Recommitment" by Gail Cusmai

I immediately resonated with the article entitled, "The Essence of Commitment is Recommitment" and was struck by the statement contained therein which said, "It works not by our making one mighty resolution that transforms our life forever..." The reason that struck me was that I recognized the voice of my own mind in those words - that I've been expecting expertise from myself right out the gate. The article and the lecture made me realize that I need to change my conception of what commitment entails.

Being steady no longer means for me that I never go off track. Rather, it means that I regularly practice reeling in the mind from its wanderings. Sometimes I'll have to reel it in just a little, and sometimes a lot. Either way, I should expect distractions but just be mindful of how far off course I'm allowing my mind to get. I should also understand that I can expect the mind to behave whimsically because that's its nature. There's no deficiency in the mind behaving like that, any more than there's something wrong with a dog for barking. So, it's not that I have to train the mind to be different. Rather, I have to respond differently to the mind. Instead of allowing it to lead me wherever it wanders, I have to control it with the leash of my determination. But that takes practice, and until I get good at reigning in my mind I should expect it to go off course. Just as when you're learning to play a piano piece, you should expect to hit the wrong keys oftentimes in the beginning, but with practice, you'll make fewer and fewer mistakes. Mistakes are part of practice otherwise, you wouldn't need to practice because you'd be expert already.

So, I now see commitment not as a one-time decision, but as a practice. Seeing it in that way allows for drifting of the mind without those drifts being equated as failures to commit, because as the statement in the article continued to say, "it works by our returning to our resolutions repeatedly, no matter how much we deviate in between." This new conception of commitment has made me also realize how unrealistic it was for me to expect immediate expertise in keeping the naturally drifting mind in check. If I wouldn't expect a new driver to keep a car in a straight line just because he is determined to do so, then I shouldn't expect that of myself as a new practitioner of keeping my mind on course.

Another thing that I need to practice is seeing my mind as a separate entity from myself, just as a car is external to its driver. I think this practice has the potential to facilitate my making a choice as to whether to follow my mind's lead.

Hopefully, the revision of my conception of commitment along with the other practice of seeing my mind as my vehicle will make some inroad toward my becoming more adept at controlling the natural tendency of my mind.

Reflection on "Essence of Commitment is Recommitment" by Julie Pasqual (Jamuna Jaya)

This past August I celebrated two momentous events - my 20th wedding anniversary, and my official initation as a disciple of HH Dhanudhara Swami. The two days were within two weeks of each other, and I could not help but be struck by the similarities between the two happenings - mainly, that both were marking commitment.

The lessons I have learned from being married all this time, have shown me the way to keep steady on my spiritual path. In my marriage I know that EACH day requires a new commitment - a restating of my love - IN ACTION, not just flowery words - but the day to day expressions of love - no matter how I feel.

That same sense of re-upping - of signing up again and again each day is what I find is needed in my spiritual life - each day I must take the vows I took before my Gurudev in my mind, and then endeavor to the best of my abilities to keep them. Knowing that I can not take anything for granted, but also relishing in the warm loving feelings that come from making a deep connection over time.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Gita Daily articles referenced in Session 3

BG 6.26

The essence of commitment is recommitment

https://www.gitadaily.com/the-essence-of-commitment-is-recommitment/

BG 7.19

Devotion commences when God becomes our guide and culminates when God becomes our goal

https://www.gitadaily.com/devotion-commences-when-god-becomes-our-guide-and-culminates-when-he-becomes-our-goal/

BG 8.7

At death, we don’t have to leave home; we can go home

https://www.gitadaily.com/at-death-we-dont-leave-home-we-go-home/

Reflective assignment: Please pick one of the articles above, read the Gita Daily article and write in the comments section, a 100-200 word reflective article on how you would use the message in your lives