Hari om everyone,
A quick synopsis of our last class. We started the class with meditation. In our chanting segment, we chanted 'geetaa dhyaanam' and verses 39 - 64 from 'BG chapter 2'.
We had seen Arjuna's state of mind in the first chapter. We started to set the stage for Chapter 2. The prelude to this chapter is very essential, else, we will disconnect ourselves from the teachings in the Bhagavadgeeta itself!
We have said this time and again: without drawing parallels to Arjuna's state of mind (in 1st ch.) and our own mind on a regular basis, the teachings won't be relevant to us! We face similar conflicts in our heads time and again. If we understand how Krishna helped resolve Arjuna's conflict, we will be able to resolve our own.
In the interactive section, we asked some questions like - What do you like to eat all the time? What activity would you do at any time? What game can you play all the time? etc. They had answered with different choices. But later, when asked if they are sure they would enjoy these AT ALL TIMES, the answer was a unanimous NO!! When asked, they said they won't enjoy the same thing when they are sleeping or talking or going outside, etc. So, that object or activity surely can't be the direct reason for our happiness! It is our state of mind that matters more.
Then we asked how they deal with difficult situations and happy circumstances on a day-to-day basis? They all had different answers and suggestions. But then, we asked, 'isn't everyone doing everything with one goal - AVOID DISCOMFORT, SEEK COMFORT?!' The answer was an overwhelming 'yes!'
Then we spoke about how we get carried away with our surroundings and try to conform to society, to avoid discomfort, even if it meant compromising our thoughts and principles. This is a war within us all the time...
We watched a small video to emphasize this - The Bandwagon Effect
We also watched another video of a modern-day archer who can aim like Arjuna. After seeing this, Arjuna hitting the eye of a fish on a moving wheel by looking at the reflection did not seem like an impossible task at all!!
After more discussions, we left the class with this thought -
See you soon.
Regards,
Rashmi and Raghav.