2017-Nov-18

Topics for today:

1. Opening prayers and Gita Dhyanam
2. Conclusion of “Context of the Gita”
3. Recap of Classes 1 – 7.

 Highlights of today’s class:

Topical solution vs Fundamental solution:

• A problem such as sadness can be addressed topically by acknowledging that there is sadness and that there is a reason for it. This is the approach in psychological therapy where one’s feelings are validated.
• The same problem can be addressed fundamentally if one is able to look into the matter dispassionately. By doing so one finds that only a person subject to sadness can become sad. Taking oneself to be subject to sadness is the fundamental problem. And Vedanta teaches us that we are really not subject to sadness.
• Thus Vedanta offers a fundamental solution to the fundamental problem. A wise person is one in whom there is no room for sorrow due to this wisdom.
• A wise person is one who is happy and secure with himself or herself, one who requires nothing else to become secure.

Two life-styles for gaining self-knowledge:

• In Gita, Krishna talks of two life-styles – karma-yoga and sannyasa – both of which are meant for gaining self-knowledge. The difference between them will be elaborated in detail in the coming chapters.

om tat sat