Applying The Bhagavad Gita To Your Daily Life
I’ve been slowly reading the Bhagavad Gita, taking my time to soak in this ancient text’s wisdom and offerings. This sacred scripture, which details a conversation on a battlefield between a warrior named Arjuna and the deity Krishna, is often quoted in yoga classes, but I’ve never taken the time to sit with its words until now. One passage has stuck with me this summer, especially during times when I’ve felt particularly frustrated, attached, and stuck. From Stephen Mitchell’s translation:
“He whose mind is untroubled by any misfortune, whose craving for pleasures has disappeared, who is free from greed, fear, and anger, who is unattached to all things, who neither grieves nor rejoices if good or bad things happen – that is a man of firm wisdom.”
Being free from fear and anger? Lofty goals indeed. However, we can work toward Krishna’s expression of wisdom with small steps in our daily lives. The journey through cancer often brings up a spectrum of emotions and feelings – jealousy, anger, sadness, despair - and just acknowledging and bringing awareness to these moments (without judging ourselves) is a way of attaining “firm wisdom.” The goal is not perfection, but rather living in a state of constant presence and awareness, dwelling in “the now” as much as we’d often rather focus on the past or present.
“He whose mind is untroubled by any misfortune, whose craving for pleasures has disappeared, who is free from greed, fear, and anger, who is unattached to all things, who neither grieves nor rejoices if good or bad things happen – that is a man of firm wisdom.”
Being free from fear and anger? Lofty goals indeed. However, we can work toward Krishna’s expression of wisdom with small steps in our daily lives. The journey through cancer often brings up a spectrum of emotions and feelings – jealousy, anger, sadness, despair - and just acknowledging and bringing awareness to these moments (without judging ourselves) is a way of attaining “firm wisdom.” The goal is not perfection, but rather living in a state of constant presence and awareness, dwelling in “the now” as much as we’d often rather focus on the past or present.
Views: 280
Comment
-
Comment by Jean Di Carlo-Wagner,MA,E-RYT500 on August 31, 2009 at 7:30pm -
After some very difficult news about friends dealing with cancer returning, I took a yoga class and was able to move the muscle tension out with asana and breath. My mind was slower and my thoughts deeper at the end of class. I am always amazed and grateful for the presence that yoga allows me. I hope that others will find this 'healing' through yoga: it's why I teach yoga. Jean
-
Comment by Bob Weisenberg on August 25, 2009 at 8:23am
-
Sorry, my HTML is weak. Just cut and paste:
http://yogademystified.com/sidebars/falling-head-over-heels-in-love-with-the-universe/
Bob
-
-
Isn't Mitchell's translation wonderful? See my review at Falling Head-Over-Heals In Love With the Universe
I always remind myself that Yoga as a whole doesn't demand the impossible (and undesirable) goal of feeling nothing, but only that we become less attached to our feelings (in favor of the larger and more comforting cosmic reality of the whole universe.)
When I first started reading and writing about Yoga I questioned whether it was a philosophy that would be of any use to those suffering from the most serious hardships in life. Since then, inspiring story after inspiring story have shown me how Yoga philosophy works for everyone.
I'm new to you Yoga Bear community, but I'm already enjoying being here.
Thanks,
Bob Weisenberg
yogademytified.com
@reweis (this is to show how cool I am now that I've been on Twiter for a week.)
-
Comment by Java on August 25, 2009 at 6:18am -
The question might be: all the misfortunes past is past, while we're in this body of perishable matter ... these problems can be physical, emotional, family ... finally ... because we live, relate, because we are unique beings, the world affects us in many different ways ... we can only overcome! ... and for that we need to leave the maelstrom of pain and we focus in our essence (spiritual), where we are perfect in due extent that we are unique individuals and indispensable to this "world" exists in this moment, this exact place (even virtual). It is important to know that these evils appear to warn us that 'something' is not in accordance with our real mission on the planet ... 1 signal is therefore for us to reorganize after reflection ... which can only be effective if we stop, silence our mind that our hearts will show us the way, even though this course at first appears unlikely, if you follow it, perhaps for the 'world' seems crazy, but what matters is we stay in peace! Namaste.Java.
-
Comment by Halle T on August 25, 2009 at 1:56am -
Well said, Kate:
The goal is not perfection, but rather living in a state of constant presence and awareness.
I need to remind myself of this all the time. We've created a society obsessed with perfection and achievement, which often distracts us from finding meaningful work and service.
© 2013 Created by Yoga Bear.
You need to be a member of Yoga Bear to add comments!
Join Yoga Bear