The Bhagavad Gita is a superb classical Sanskrit text on the practical and mystical teachings of Yoga. It is a scripture on Brahma Vidya (the ‘Science of Consciousness’), showing us how Yoga can be lived moment to moment in daily life and how our actions can be a way to deeper realisation of our spiritual roots. This is the fourth and final day-long workshops exploring essential teachings of the Gita in a practical and accessible way, informed by the in-depth experience of tutors.
Tutor(s): Swami Nishchalananda and Swami Krishnapremananda
In this concluding fourth day, insights will be shared from the teachings of chapters 13-15 which return to the practice of Gyana Yoga – self enquiry or awakening intuition or insight. Chapter 13 beautifully describes the classical metaphor of the ‘field’ (all that we can perceive within or without) and the ‘knower of the field’ (Consciousness or Awareness). Chapter 14 outlines the 3 gunas or innate qualities of our Being, and chapter 15 is perhaps the most esoteric of all the chapters, pointing us towards our essential nature.
Each of us is a unique expression of Consciousness, with different innate propensities. The Bhagavad Gita honours this in the way it offers a path for everyone. It gives teachings on many of the key paths of Yoga, notably Karma Yoga (Acting in Awareness), Gyana (Self-Enquiry), Bhakti (Trust, Remembrance and Surrender), Dhyana (Meditation) and Buddhi Yoga (Awakening Agya Chakra).
The Gita consists of the teachings given by Krishna (as the Teacher) to Arjuna (as the seeker of Truth, i.e. you and me). Its aim is to guide us through the ever-changing landscape of life, towards being established in harmony and balance in every sphere of our life. The Gita encourages us to live every moment of our lives fully, to offer every action on the altar of Truth.
Comprising eighteen chapters including seven hundred verses, it is widely called just ‘The Gita’ (‘The Song’). Its teachings offer us the means to make our own life a song; a song of joy, wisdom and awakening. The aim of this course is to open our eyes to the profound teachings contained in this fountain of perennial knowledge and insight.
Thoreau, the American mystic-poet wrote:
In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous…philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial.
The day will include yoga nidra and satsang (question & answers) in addition to the Gita teaching themselves.
Further information
The sessions will be delivered via zoom and at the following times during the day:
9.00-10.15am, 10.45-12.15, 12.40-13.15, 14.45-15.35 and 16.00-17.00, all U.K. times.
The course will close for bookings at 5pm the day before the course is due to start.
