Program Type: Online Course

Date & Time: Offered as 6 weekly sessions on Mondays, Dec 7, 14, 21, 28, Jan 4 & 11, 7:00-8:30pm EST

Hours: 9 hours

Course includes:

• Six classes, 1.5 hours each. The last fifteen minutes of each class will be dedicated to questions and answers on the topics studied.
• A short introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
• An in-depth study of the third chapter with the traditional commentary and teachings of Swami Sivananda.

What you will learn:

• The path of action and who is eligible to tread this path
• The path of renunciation of action and who is eligible to tread this path
• The way to convert all actions into yoga
• Duty and how to perform it
• How is everything interconnected and the role of human beings within creation
• The three gunas and their relation to activity
• The ignorant vs the wise – how do they act in this world?
• Why we do wrong actions when we do not wish to do them
• How to avoid wrong actions
• Who is the real enemy of peace, and how to overcome this enemy

Course description:

The Bhagavad Gita is a dialog between Lord Krishna and Arjuna which takes place in the middle of a battlefield.

Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna how to attain the state of perfection which all Yogis aspire to attain. While doing so, he reveals to Arjuna the most profound, sublime and soul-stirring spiritual truths.

The battlefield of the Bhagavad Gita symbolizes the ongoing inner battle which every spiritual aspirant faces when trying to remove deeply embedded habits and thought patterns that are not conducive to leading a happy and fulfilling life.

When studying the Bhagavad Gita, the students are skillfully guided to obtain a broad understanding regarding all paths of yoga and their actual practice.

Chapter three teaches us how to recognize our own path and shows us what our role is within our own individual life and also within creation.

Studying this chapter will equip you with inspiration and enthusiasm to practice and to achieve. It will bless you with profound insight into yourself and the world.

Course content:

Class 1: The Bhagavad Gita – What is it all about?

• Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
• Summary of the first two chapters
• Introduction to Chapter 3

Class 2: Arjuna’s question and the way to Bliss

• The path of action vs the path of knowledge – the characteristics of each
• Who are the Yogis? Who treads the path of action?
• Who are the Sankyas? Who treads the path of knowledge?
• What is action? What is perfection and what is the relation between the two?
• The Gunas (qualities of Nature) and how they bind
• Action and inaction – the truth about both

Class 3: The interconnectedness of everything

• The purpose of creation
• Our role within creation
• The great sacrifices

Class 4: How to live in this world

• How to make life purposeful
• How do those who have attained perfection live. Why do they perform actions?
• Lord Krishna reveals why He engages Himself in action

Class 5: The wise and the ignorant

• The wise should never unsettle the minds of ignorant people! Lord Krishna explains this profound teaching
• The ignorant – how do they perform actions
• The wise – how they perform actions
• How to become free from binding actions

Class 6: Conquer desire and be free

• Krishna teaches that we act in accordance with our inclinations and habits. Is there any scope for personal exertion?
• Attraction and aversion – the two currents of the mind
• The importance of doing one’s own duty
• Desire – the enemy of the wise
• Knowledge of the Self – the goal and the solution

Requirements & Recommendations:

No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.

Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.

Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.

Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device.  For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.

Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.

Course Includes:

9 hours on-demand video