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 first of four 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
Click here for a short video outlining the course by Sw Krishnapremananda.
This first day of four will offer a general introduction to the text, its historical and present-day context in the yogic/ spiritual tradition and its core purpose. We will also examine the significance of the Gita being set on a battlefield and explore chapter one – facing inner and outer challenges. Finally, the initial and profound teachings of chapter 2 will be illuminated describing who we truly are through the insights of Gyana Yoga – self enquiry.
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.
Further information
Each of the four days is complete in itself, offering you the chance to book for all four, or selected days. Each day costs £50 and those who book for the first 3 days will be offered day four free of charge. The day will include yoga nidra and satsang (question & answers) in addition to the Gita teaching themselves.
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.
Day two will focus on the teachings of Karma Yoga leading to Dhyana Yoga
Day three will explore the teachings on Bhakti Yoga from the middle chapters of the text
Day four will share the insights from chapters 13-15 on Gyana Yoga
