OVERVIEWWhy Study Gita?

Circumstances Happiness & Distress.World view Paradigm shift: What is this world? What is my place in this world? Philosophy of life.Action Conduct in this body in this world according to the philosophy.Goal Solution to happiness & distress: Eternal Bliss.

Chapter1. Circumstances Competition and conflict resulting in death, destruction of society.2. Philosophy (sankhya) Paradigm Shift: Identity as eternal spirit, not temporary body.3. Action (karma) Action after knowing one’s spiritual nature, controlling senses and desire.

The next three chapters continue the theme of action with understanding of spirit4. Intelligent action Knowledge (jnana) must be the foundation of karma.5. Balance for peace Integrate karma and jnana.6. Goal of Yoga Different types of Yoga as action and knowledge combination.

Further Knowledge of Spirit. Theology: God and action in relation to God7. Theology Distinction of Atma and Paramatma.8. Life after life Action in regards to death and next life, concentration of mind on God.9. Action in life Devotional activities directed to God : Bhakti.10. Qualities of God Qualities of God IN the world.11. Power of God Power of God AS the world.12. Action towards God Glorification of Bhakti yoga as easiest and highest process, means and end .

What is the cause of our condition: Happiness and distress, and the cause of our actions, as portrayed in the first chapter.

13. Cause of suffering Relation of matter to spirit.14. Analysis of maya Qualities of matter.15. God, matter & jiva God as controller of matter.16. Ignorance of God Demonic nature and destination.17. Worship and gunas Action influenced by matter.18. Summary Action in the material world according to scripture ending in surrender to the

Lord.

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Analysis of Effective Management

Life of Dependence: Controlled by Cirucmstance (Karma) & desires (samskara) Dissatisfaction

Practice Self DevelopmentUse free will : Be ProactiveSet Spiritual goal : Begin with the End in MindMake time for the Goal : First things first

Independence in personal life (private victory)When ones identity (self ) is stable, operating on eternal principles, independent of circumstance and strong in goal, interaction with others in business or society becomes possible.

Mutual Benefit : Think win /winCompassion : Seek first to understand, help others rise to independence: Association produces inspiration : Synergize, whole is more than the parts

Interdependence (Public Victory) : Dealing effectively and naturally with others for mutual benefit leads to long lasting satisfaction, fulfilling life's goals.

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Karma – Activities of the Conditioned Soul__

Ignorance of Krsna Desire to Enjoy Material body Identity with body Desire to enjoy in body Action to get enjoyment

Immediate Experience Of enjoyment Or suffering

Attachment to objects causing enjoymentRepulsion to objects of suffering(samskara)

Desires or hatred Restrictions in next life (vasana) in next life (karma)

Free will, intelligence

Action Tama Raja Sattva

Misery Immediate Detachment Pleasure Peace

Action: Prakrti in combination with previous samskaras and vasanas stimulates man to action, to obtain enjoyment.

Immediate Result: The action leads to immediate success or failure in getting the expected happiness depending on karma ( past ), present effort and intelligence.

Samskara: The happiness or distress and how one achieved it produces an impression (samskara) on the individual, which is causes desire (vasana) for objects in this life and next.

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Aprarabdha and Prarabdha karma:

The action produces a reaction in future birth: a new situation in the world of matter, according to the quality of the initial act. This is called karma phala.

Action: The individual in that situation, stimulated by prakrti and samskaras, acts again.

Free Will: The individual can activate or deactivate his samskaras and vasanas by his choice of association and place. He can use his intelligence to control feeling (samskara and vasana) for attaining his chosen goal. Then he can act according to choice, not feeling. By intelligent acts he can alter his present and future karma.

Acts of Violence (for one`s own enjoyment) leads to suffering (papa)

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o Short life spano Diseaseo Poverty

o Bad familyo Legal caseso No education

Acts of Compassion (for others enjoyment) leads to happiness (punya)o Long life span o Good healtho Wealtho Good familyo Intelligence

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How to act: Punya increases your material happiness in a sattvika mode in future life, and as prayascitta will mitigate

present suffering due to papa. Negative: Attachment to sattva

Tapas (renunciation of action and sense control) can gradually reduce future karmas. Negative: Difficult for common man

Niskama Karma, acting without self interest, gradually frees one from bondage. Negative: Gradual process

Jnana, and meditation on the self, can eliminate future karmas. One can get free from gross and subtle bodies. Negative: Indifference to world, inactive, no spiritual body

Bhakti, unmotivated Love of God, can eliminate present and future karmas, free one from gross and subtle bodies, and manifest a spiritual body for service to the Lord.

Purpose of Karma: Karma is not a punishment but a chance to recognize the responsibility we have for our acts. It is learning through material experience. If we commit violence we suffer violence. The condition of suffering is a message for us to rectify our exploitative mentality, and act according to compassion rather than passion. We must learn to change our actions from service to self to service to other. This is the first step in purification of the jiva.

The Law of Karma when joined to the eternal soul produces effects in future bodies. This extension of karma is called Reincarnation. Reincarnation is a series of opportunities for us to learn the same lessons if we fail and to learn new lessons if we pass.

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Laws of Description LessonDesire Desires produce Actions, which produce

Impressions, which produce DesiresWe can redirect desire with intelligence and higher taste

Karma or Responsibility

The results of our actions on others produce equal reactions upon ourselves

Perform acts, which do not violate others.Perform acts, which give benefit to others

Compassion Acting with compassion for others with no self-interest yields optimum material Condition for the human

Even in optimum material condition we cannot escape suffering and dissatisfaction

Identity Mistaken identity gives dissatisfaction, therefore we seek knowledge of spirit

Self is not matter but eternal spirit, we must make a commitment to achieve spirit

Spirit Like attracts like, spiritual interest generates spiritual association and action

God acts as the guide to lead us to him when we develop desire to contact him

Love Love means complete surrender to God's interest

Unconditional love of God is our eternal condition

Verses:

“The living entity in the material world carried his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carried aromas. Thus he takes one kind of body and again quits it to take another.” - Ch.13.8

“Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail.” - Ch.8.6

“Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.”- Ch.8.7

“Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more secret. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.” - Ch.18.63

Traditional Causes of action (Western - No Choice)

Heredity Upbringing Immediate Situation

Action

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Traditional Hindu cause of action (Fatalistic - No Choice)Karma (past actions)

Birth in Family Environment Qualities Time (Events of this life)

Present action

Future Karma

Birth in Family Environment Qualities Time (events of next life)

Future action (Repetition of previous life's actions)

____________________________________________________________________________Free Will within Karma Proactive vision: Responsibility: I am the programmer

Karma (past actions)

Birth in Family Environment Qualities Time (events of this life)

STIMIULI

ACTIONTHE STIMULI DO NOT DETERMINE THE ACTIONINNER VALUES DETERMINE THE ACTIONWE HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER OUR FUTURE.

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Choice of

Response to stimuli

based on inner values

Steven Covey: In our society, we have accepted 3 deterministic explanations of human limitations:

Genetic determinism, Psychic determinism and Environmental determinism.

On closer examination, we discover that between stimulus and response, man has the freedom to choose. We don't have to function on "auto pilot".

Proactivity means that, as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen.

Our most difficult experiences become the crucibles forging our character and developing our inner powers.

Our problems fall in three areas:

Direct Control Problems involving our own behavior Are solved through the private victories of Habits 12 & 3Indirect Cont. Problems involving other people's behavior Are solved through methods of influence, the publicNo Control Problems we can do nothing about Are best dealt with through attitude.

While we are free to choose our actions, the consequences of our actions are governed by natural law. Sometimes we make choices with negative consequences, called mistakes. We can't recall or undo past mistakes. The proactive approach to a mistake is to acknowledge it instantly, correct and learn from it. Success is the far side of failure.

At the heart of our Circle of Influence is our ability to make and keep commitments and promises.

Our integrity in keeping commitments and the ability to make commitments are the clearest manifestations of proactivity.

Experience (stimuli) Response ActionChoice Freedom to create our future

ASSIGNMENT

Make a list of choices that you made which were proactive: that is made with intelligence, principle, of your own free will. Make a list of your inner values.

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Living Entity - Jiva – Soul

Soul vs Body

“I am body” - This conception starts at birth and usually continues throughout life.- All of our actions are defined by this identity.

Limitation on body: Temporary Subject to sickness Old age Death Limited in space and time.

Our goals and all our energy in life are to rid ourselves of the problems created by the limited body. Krsna's solution to Arjuna's grief was to inform him that he was not a temporary body, but an eternal soul: - He is telling him to change his identity from body to soul.

Qualities of Soul

Nitya - Soul is eternalAvikarya - Not subject to change, birth and deathAvyakta, Anu - Very smallAcintya - Pervading the bodyBhinna - Separate from other soulsAcintya - Pervading the body Svarupa bhak - Possesses its own form: Aham artha - Conscious of I Jnata - Individual Knower Karta - Doer: cause of action Bhokta - Enjoyer of happiness, distress Amsa - Different from and dependent on God

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.” - BG 2.12

“This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.” - BG 2.24

“It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.” - BG 2.25

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” - BG 15.7

“O son of Bharata, as the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness.” BG 13.34

“Matter is the cause of all bodies and senses, whereas the atma is the cause of various suffering and enjoyments in this world (due to his desires).” - BG 13.21

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Needs of the Soul:

Needs object of knowledgeNeeds place of action and body Needs experience of bliss

He can choose one of two worlds: material or spiritual.

CHOICE OF THE INDIVIDUAL SOULFREE WILL

Refusal of God Acceptance of God

Accept material body Accept spiritual body

Identify with body as self & enjoyer Identify as servant

Desire to enjoy material objects Desire to give love to Krsna

Selfish actions at others expense Actions of service to Krsna

Reaction: suffering (karma) No Adverse Reactions

Acceptance of repeated bodies Increase in bliss - same body

Matter and Spirit Only Spirit: God and Jiva

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Proof of the Soul

Scriptural testimony of God (Sabda) : Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Upanisads, Puranas and many scriptures speak of the existence of soul.

Testimony of Spiritual Practitioners: Great acaryas and yogis have testified.Modern Proofs:

Testimony of Ordinary peopleNear death experienceOut of the body experience Past life memories

Goal or Vision:

When we begin with the end in mind, we have a personal direction to guide our daily activities, without which we will accomplish little toward our own goals. Beginning with the end in mind is part of the process of personal leadership, taking control of our own lives.All things are created twice. We create them first in our minds, and then we work to bring them into physical existence. By taking control of our own first creation, we can write or re-write our own scripts, thus taking some control and responsibility for the outcome. We write or re-write our scripts using our imagination and conscience.

There are three major aspects of our personal and business management.

First is leadership - what do I / we want to accomplish? Second is management - how can I best accomplish it? Third is productivity - doing it.

According to Peter Drucker and Warren Bennis, "Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things."

A starting point in beginning with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement, philosophy or credo. It will help you focus on what you want to be (character), want to do (contributions and achievements) and on the values and principles upon which your being and doing are based. The personal mission statement gives us a changeless core from which we can deal with external change.

We must reexamine the center of our life. Our center is the source of our security, guidance, wisdom and power. Making people or things outside ourselves places ourselves at the mercy of mood swings, inconsistent behavior and uncontrollable changes of fortune. Being self-centered is too limiting - people develop poor mental health in isolation.

By centering our lives on correct principles, we create a stable, solid foundation for the development of our life support factors and embrace and encompass the truly important areas of our lives. Successful relationships, achievement and financial security will radiate from the principle center.

The principles we base our lives on should be deep, fundamental truths, classic truths, or generic common denominators. They will become tightly interwoven themes running with exactness, consistency, beauty and strength through the fabric of our lives.

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AT THE CENTER : CHANGLESS CORE

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ETERNALPRINCIPLES

OFSELF

GUIDANCEPOWER

W I SDOM

SECURITY

The center of our life is the source of:

SECURITY : SENSE OF WORTH, IDENTITY, SELF -ESTEEM PERSONAL STRENGTH

GUIDANCE : DIRECTION IN LIFE, STANDARDS TO GOVERN YOUR DECISIONS

WISDOM : SENSE OF BALANCE, COMPREHENSION, INTEGRATING PART WITH WHOLE

POWER : CAPACTIY TO DECIDE, ACT AND ACCOMPLISH, TO CHANGE

BAD HABITS FOR BETTER ONES

Extremes : Low High

Security : Helpless Confident to face world

Guidance : Dependent on others Inner direction

Wisdom : Distorted vision Accurate vision of life

Power : Let someone else do Act according to own values

Principle centered life

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PRINCIPLESKRSNA

WORK

RECRE-ATION

FRIENDS

FAMILY

SPOUSE

ENEMY

MONEY

ASSETS

Matter and The Modes of Material NatureWhat is matter ?

Jada - Non conscious, non intelligent no free will Nitya - Eternal, but changing in form Vicitriya - Full of variety Asvatantra - Dependent on the Lord for manifestation, actions and destruction Bahiranga sakti - Its qualities and actions do not affect the Lord

Effect of Matter on the Jiva

Places jiva in matter Object of enjoyment for the soul (jiva) : allures the jiva : viksepa sakti Covers the jiva with ignorance : makes him forget his spiritual nature : avarana sakti Provides gross and subtle bodies as instruments for enjoyment for the jiva Helps the jiva perform action Binds the jiva with karma phala

Though under the control of the Supreme Lord, the existence of the material world is also dependent on the desire of the soul to enjoy it. It has no function apart from being a playground for the soul. Why is the jiva in the material world? - Because of the soul's desire to enjoy separately from the Lord.

“Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego - all together these eight constitute My separated material energies.” – Bg 7.4

“Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities (jivatmas) who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature.” Bg 7.5.

“All created beings have their source in these two energies. Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution.” Bg 7.3

“Th spirit soul, bewildered by false ego, thinks himself the doer of activities which are actually carried out by material nature.” - Bg 3.27

“O descendent of Bharata, O conqueror of the foe, all living entities are born into delusion, bewildered by dualities arisen from desire and hate.” Bg 7.27

“Matter is the cause of all bodies and senses, whereas the atma is the cause of various suffering and enjoyments in this world (due to his desires).” Bg 13.21.

“The atma in the material world thus follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil in various types of bodies.” Bg 13.22

Man appears dependent on his circumstances, his body and feelings. He cannot change his habits or his reactions to events. He is helpless, seemingly forced by circumstance to make choices according to his nature. He is trapped by his habitual and predictable responses to his circumstances, based on his feelings.

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Isvara: Visnu TattvaMaster of Eternal Saktis

Cit Sakti Acit Sakti(Spiritual energy) (Material energy)

Nitya mukta Jiva Tatastha Sakti Nitya Baddha Jiva(Eternally liberated soul) (Marginal Energy) (Eternally Conditioned soul)

PRAKRTI

Gross aspect Subtle aspect

Guna maya Jiva Maya

Kala : Time force

Karma : Action23 Material elements Daiva : Resultsbodies and 14 worlds Svabhava : Impressions

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ParamatmaKala

Atma + Svabhava - previous impressions + PrakrtiKarma - force of previous actions

mahat tattva

ahankara

Jnana sakti Kriya sakti Dravya sakti Adhidaiva Adhyatma Adhibhuta

Vaikarika Ahankara Taijasa Ahankara Tamasa Ahankara (Sattva) (Rajas) (Tamas)

Mind Subtle senses tanmatra + elementsAnd Sense Devatas Buddhi, Prana

Candra - Manasa BuddhiJnanendriya

Dik Ear Sound EtherVayu Skin Touch AirSurya Eye Form FireVaruna Tongue Taste WaterAsvini kumaras Nose Smell Earth

PranaKarmendriya

Agni VoiceIndra HandsUpendra FeetPrajapati GenitalMitra Anus

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Gross body

How does the Spiritual Jiva enjoy the unconscious material world?Ahankara: False identity as enjoyer. I am a body.

Subtle body: Intermediary between the soul and the gross body Holds the desire, hatred, memory ,(past) thoughts (present), material identity Repository of present and future karmas Determines the next gross body Is not destroyed when the material body dies Continues with the next material body Has its subtle senses for subtle perception

Gross body with gross senses: For action to contact gross objects for enjoyment This enjoyment is not perfect because it is temporary. It is subject reaction in the form of distress, due to the law of karma. It has nothing to do with the soul's (real self's) mechanism for spiritual pleasure.

Gunas:The material objects of this world, including the gross body and subtle body, manifest through a mixture of three qualities:

Tamas Rajas Sattva (Destructive) (Creative) (Balanced)

According to choice of association in this life and actions, the soul is able to alter the gunas of his gross and subtle bodies. The gross body can be altered by choice food for instance. The subtle body can be altered by education, or by the type of people one make friends with. The gross and subtle bodies will mutually influence each other. Thus if we want to promote our gunas from tamas to sattva, we must immerse both subtle and gross bodies in sattva objects.

ITEMS SATTVA RAJAS TAMASObject Mental Physical IllusoryCondition Non violent Thirst IgnoranceGenerates Knowledge, arts, detachment Greed, attachment to matter Illusion, sleep, extremes Result Happiness Action MadnessFuture Upper worlds Earth Lower worldsWorship Devata Raksasa BhutaFood Mild Extreme Contaminated Type Vegetarian Animal Anything Result Healthy Diseased IgnoranceSacrifice Desireless Motivated No faith, no rulesAusterity Desireless Motivated Destructive of self or others

Charity Desireless Motivated Improper time place, recipientKnowledge Spirit soul Bodies Own bodyAction Desireless Motivated SinfulIntellect Discrimination No discrimination Reverse valuesDetermination Control of senses Enjoying HelplessHappiness Long range Immediate Misery only

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“Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger, the demons become envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in their own bodies and in the bodies of others, and criticize real religion” - Bg 16.18

“Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men, I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life.” - Bg 16.19.

“There are three gates leading to this hell - lust, anger and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul.” – Bg 16.21.

Of the three, sattva is preferable, being conducive for spiritual life and being less destructive, more peaceful.

Management of Priorities :

Impo

rtan

t

Urgent Not UrgentCrises I Deadlines Problems

Result: Stress

Planning II Prevention Leadership training Setting Goals Result: Control

Uni

mpo

rtan

t

Interruptions IIISome phone calls Some meetings Reacting to others Priorities No goals Result: Short term effect

Trivia IVWasting time Pleasure Irresponsible

Result: No result

Analysis of time and energy in an individual's life

Body (50 %) Mind (20 %) Family (20 %) Social (10 %)

Food Clothing Shelter Medicine Assistance when old

Education For conduct Skills

Mother Father Spouse Children

Relatives Community Company

What about time for the spirit?

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GOD – The Concept of the Supreme

Realizations of God

God as Power (sakti):Nature and its Laws: Chapter 10, 11

“Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.” Bg. 10.41

“But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe.” Bg10.42

“You are the original Personality of Godhead, the oldest, the ultimate sanctuary of this world. You are the knower of everything, and You are all that is knowable. You are the supreme refuge, above the material modes. O limitless form! This whole universe is pervaded by You!” Bg 11.38

“You are air, and You are the supreme controller! You are fire, You are water, and You are the moon! You are Brahma, the first living creature, and You are the great-grandfather. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You a thousand times, and again and yet again!” Bg.11.39

God as Supplier: Devatas: Nature is personified as controlling entities who respond to offerings

“In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajna (sacrifice), will supply all necessities to you . But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief.” Ch.3.12

“Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.” Ch.7.22

“Men of small intelligence worship the demigods and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.” Ch 7.23

Unlimited God, Spiritual Being:Brahman: Undifferentiated Consciousness, Awareness of Eternity and of unifying power.

“Those whose minds are established in sameness and equanimity have already conquered the conditions of birth and death. They are flawless (without attraction or hatred) like Brahman, and thus they are said to be

already situated in Brahman (liberated).” Bg..8.19

“One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes his spiritual nature and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he then attains pure devotional service unto Me.” Bg.18.54

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Paramatma: Knowledge of Lord of all souls and matter, Awareness of God in relation to creation.

“Besides these two, there is the greatest living personality, the Supreme Soul, the imperishable Lord Himself, who has entered the three worlds and is maintaining them.” Bg 15.17

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” Bg 18.61

“Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more secret. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.” Bg 18.63

Bhagavan: Experience of Most Attractive Love, Awareness of all saktis of God.

“Arjuna inquired: Who are considered to be more perfect, the devotees who are always engaged in worship or those who worship the impersonal brahman, the unmanifested?” Bg 12.1

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect.” Bg 12.2

“Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit.” Bg 18.64

“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.” Bg 18.65

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Ch.18.66

Bhagavan

Bha : “Bharta” means "the nourisher, maintainer and establisher of the devotees." Ga : "gamayita" means “He who creates all kinds of auspicious qualities within His devotees"

“He who grants pure love of Godhead, which is the actual result of devotional service", "He who leads His devotees to His own transcendental planet".

Va : "vas" means "In whom all the living entities exist; who resides in all living entities."

Bhaga in full: Aisvarya : Natural control of everything Virya : Inconceivable potencies, manifests and pervades all prakrit and jiva, and expands as

unlimited avataras Yasah : Good qualities in relation to body, senses, mind and words Sri : All kinds of good fortune, beauty, eternal youthful body Jnana : Omniscience Vairagya : Non-attachment to material world

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TYPES OF BHAGAVAN REALIZATION Aisvarya : knowledge that the Lord is god

` Visnu expansions in VaikunthaCaturvyuha and expansions

Visnu expansions for material creation (paramatma): Mahavisnu (Sankarsana)

Maha samasti jiva and prakrti antaryami Expands as RudraAmsa: sesaRules ahankara

Garbhodakasayi (Pradyumna)

Samasti jiva antaryamiExpands as brahma Rules buddhi

Ksirodakasayi: (Aniruddha)Vyasti jiva antaryamiExpands into each jivaExpands as devatas, manusRules manas

Avatara forms For pastimes : lila avataras For yuga dharma: yuga avataraFor manu dharma: manvantara avatara

Madhurya : knowledge of god is absent due to love Gokula Krsna

Bala vatsalya rasaPauganda sakhya rasaKaumara: madhurya rasa

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COMPARISON OF JIVA, SIVA AND VISNU AND KRSNA

Jiva with extraordinary power in material world: Devata Sakyavesa avatara Brahma

Siva: not jivaisvara in contact with matter, particularly tama gunaendowed with eternal bodydoes not grow oldomniscientextraordinary powers

Visnu: purusa avataras and vaikuntha pati Power to manifest material world

expands as avatarasmonitor activities of jivas in worldacintya sakti liberates even his enemiesattracts even liberated souls

Krsna: Rupa madhuryaLila madhuryaMadhurya Prema Bhakta Venu madhurya

Dependence to Independence in the Material WorldTama Negative action :Vikarma No understanding dependence on circumstanceRaja regulated action for enjoyment:Karma Understanding for exploitationSattva Regulation with detachment :Niskama karma Understanding God's laws of responsibility,

ability to determine direction in life.

Independence in Spiritual lifeJnana Negate matter Diffuse realization of God, loses individualityYoga To realize God manifest in this world Incomplete realization (of the self)Bhakti To love God in Complete relationship Complete realization of individual and independence

Independence in Material life leads to working with others according to higher law, cooperatively: Interdependence

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Types of Human Interaction: 1. Win/Win - People can seek mutual benefit in all human interactions. Principle-based behavior. 2. Win/Lose - The competitive paradigm: if I win, you lose. The leadership style is authoritarian.. 3. Lose/Win - The "Doormat" paradigm. The individual seeks strength from popularity based on

acceptance. The leadership style is permissiveness.]4. Lose/Lose - When people become obsessed with making the other person lose, even at their own

expense. This is the philosophy of adversarial conflict, war, or of highly dependent persons.

5. Win - Focusing solely on getting what one wants, regardless of the needs of others. 6. Win/Win - or No Deal - If we can't find a mutually beneficial solution, we agree to disagree

agreeably - no deal.. In a continuing relationship, it's no longer an option.

Elements1. Character is the foundation of Win/Win. There must be integrity in order to establish trust in the

relationship and to define a win in terms of personal values. A key trait is the abundance mentality that there is plenty for everybody (v. the Scarcity Mentality). The abundance mentality flows from a deep inner sense of personal worth and security: proactivity and vision.

2. Relationships are the focus on Win/Win. Whatever the orientation of the person you are dealing with (Win/Lose, etc.), the relationship is the key to turning the situation around. When there is a relationship of trust and emotional bank account balances are high, there is a much greater probability of a successful interaction.

3. Performance agreements or partnership agreements give definition and direction to Win/Win. 1. Defined results (not methods) - what is to be done and when. 2. Guidelines - the parameters within which the results should be accomplished 3. Resources - human, financial, technical or organizational support available to accomplish the

results. 4. Accountability - the standards of performance and time(s) of evaluation. 5. Consequences - what will happen as a result of the evaluation.

1. The Reward System is a key element in the Win/Win model. If the outstanding performance of a few is rewarded, the other team members will be losers. Instead, develop individual achievable goals and team objectives to be rewarded.

1. The Win/Win Process has four steps. 1. See the problem from the other point of view, in terms of the needs and concerns of the other

party. 2. Identify the key issues and concerns (not positions) involved. 3. Determine what results would make a fully acceptable solution. 4. Identify new options to achieve those results.

You can only achieve Win/Win solutions with Win/Win procedures. Win/Win is not a personality technique. It's a total paradigm of human interaction.

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Yoga - Processes to Approach to God

TYPES OF HUMAN FAITH

Atheist Ignore God Self over others Destructive of man and nature Primitive Respect as Power Respect for authority Respect for NatureKarma Respect as Provider Limits sin, increases

assets. God subservient to desire.

Niskama Karma

Respect as Provider with attempt to give up desire

Leads to sattva, a state of balance

Attachment to world of peace, not yet related to God

Karmarpana Respect for Supreme Lord Offering to Him No strong relationshipJnana Realization of Impersonal

feature / BrahmanLiberation from material world

Merging God and jiva, no individuality, negative

Astanga yoga Realization of God in world God and jiva different No activity for jiva Bhakti yoga Realization of all aspects of

God as Object of LoveFull individuality of jiva with full activity leads to ananda of jiva

“The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you. Thus nourishing one another, there will reign general prosperity for all.” Bg.3.11

“ Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme.” Bg.3.19

“Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.” Bg.3.30

“Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the eyes and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows, suspending the inward and outward breaths within the nostrils, and thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, the transcendentalist aiming at liberation becomes free from desire, fear and anger. One who is always in this state is certainly liberated.” Bg.5.27-28

“A true yogi observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized person sees Me, the same Supreme Lord, everywhere.” Bg. 5.29

“But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me, O son of Prtha---for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.” Bg.12.6-7

“The form you are seeing with your transcendental eye cannot be understood simply by studying the Vedas, nor by undergoing serious penances, nor by charity, nor by worship. It is not by these means that one can see Me as I am.” Ch.11.53

“My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you understand me.” Ch.11.54

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BhaktiBhakti is a function of the atma, a love for the Supreme Lord, which manifests by association and mercy of devotees and the Lord, and develops by specific practices. It manifests in activities to please the Supreme Lord (Krsna, Visnu or avatara forms) and persons related to the Lord, with no other motive for self: either material enjoyment or liberation.

Qualification: It does not require that one progress from karma to niskama karma to jnana and yoga before practicing bhakti. Only genuine faith in the Lord is required. This may develop in any human in any country in any class.

Cause: Bhakti develops not by punya karmas or by jnana or yoga, but by association of devotees of the Lord who instill faith, and the mercy of the Lord.

Stages: 1. Sadhana Bhakti : normally one begins with a little faith, and with association and practice

bhakti develops to an experience of love of God called bhava.2. Bhava Bhakti : this is a genuine experience of God's love, but not full3. Prema Bhakti : full manifestation of love of God

Mixed bhakti: Some desire for the Lord, but mixed with material desires or desire for liberation. This does not lead to bhava or prema.

Sadhana Bhakti: Utilizing the senses including the mind to develop eternal love, by directing activities for the pleasure of Krsna.

1. Vaidhi bhakti : Faith in scripture leads us to follow the scriptural rules for pleasing the lord. The force of our actions is the order of scripture. Awareness of the greatness of God.

2. Raganuga : the force of our actions is a strong desire to please Krsna informally

Activities of Bhakti (Angas)

Nine processes: 1. Hearing, 2. Chanting, 3. Remembering,

4. Bowing down, 5. Serving the lotus feet, 6. Arcana,

7. Servitude, 8. Friendship, 9. Surrender of self.

Most important angas:1. Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam2. Chanting Hare Krsna mantra3. Worshipping Krsna with love

4. Associating with devotees5. Living in a sanctified place

Unique Effects of Bhakti: Destroys aprarabdha and prarabha karmas at the root Bestows auspicious qualities such as compassion, truthfulness in their svarupa Surpasses liberation Krsna bestows his love Experience of extreme bliss Krsna surrenders to the devotee

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Surrrender and Understanding: Interaction with othersWe often prescribe before making a proper diagnosis when communicating. We should first take the time to deeply understand the problems presented to us. The real key to influence is example - your actual conduct. Your private performance must square with your public performance. Unless people trust you and believe you understand them, they will be too angry, defensive, guilty or afraid to be influenced. Skills of empathic listening must be built on a character that inspires openness and trust and high emotional bank accounts.

Four Responses:1. Evaluate - Agree to disagree.2. Probe - Ask questions from your own frame of reference.3. Advice - Give counsel based on your own experience.4. Interpret - Explain motives and behavior based on your own motives and behavior.

The skills involve four developmental stages:

1. The least effective is to mimic content, which is taught in active or reflective listening - repeating what the person said back to him or her.

2. To rephrase the content is more effective, but still limited to the verbal communication. It's putting the persons' meaning in your own words. This is a "logical" approach.

3. To reflect feeling involves the right brain, emotional level.4. To rephrase the content and reflect the feeling includes both the second and third, attempting to

understand both sides of his communication and give psychological air.All the well-meaning advice in the world won't amount to a hill of beans if we're not

Then Seek to be UnderstoodKnowing how to be understood is as important as seeking to understand in reaching Win/Win solutions, and requires courage.

The Greek philosophy of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos gives the sequence for effective communication. Ethos is your personal creditability. Pathos is the empathic side. Logos is the reasoning side. Most people go straight to the logical side without first establishing their character and building the relationship.Describe the alternative they favour better than they can themselves. Then explain the logic behind your request.

When you can present your own ideas clearly, specifically, visually and most importantly contextually - in the context of a deep understanding of their paradigms and concerns - you significantly increase the creditability of your ideas.

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APPLYING THE CONCEPTS

SynergySynergy means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The relationship which the parts have to each other is a part in and of itself - the most empowering, unifying and exciting part.

The essence of synergy is to value differences - to respect them, to build on strengths, and to compensate for weaknesses. The way to achieve synergy is through the creative process, which is terrifying, because you never know where the creative process will lead you.

Steps:

SecuritySynergistic communication is opening your mind and heart to new possibilities. It may seem like you

are casting aside "beginning with the end in mind," but you are actually fulfilling it by clarifying your goals and discovering better ones. Almost all creative endeavors are somewhat unpredictable, and unless people have a high tolerance for ambiguity and get their security from integrity and inner values, they find it unpleasant to be involved in highly creative enterprises.

RespectBy taking the time to really build a team, creating a high emotional bank account, the group can become very closely knit. The respect among members can become so high that if there is a disagreement, there can be a genuine effort to understand.

CommunicationHigh trust leads to high cooperation and communication. The progression of communication is defensive (win or lose/win), to respectful (compromise), to synergistic (win/win).

CreativitySynergistic communication must be achieved to develop creative possibilities, including better solutions than original proposals. If synergy isn't achieved, even the effort will usually result in a better compromise. Excitement can replace respectful exchanges and ego battles. But a particular synergistic experience can seldom be recreated. Rather, new experiences should be sought. By synergistically creating a mission statement, it becomes engraved in the hearts and minds of the participants.

The Third AlternativeThe "middle" way may not be compromise, but a third alternative, like the apex of a triangle. By mutually seeking to understand and be understood, the participants pool their desires. They work together on the same side to create a third alternative to meet everyone's needs. Instead of a transaction, this is a transformation. Each participant gets what he or she really wants, and they build their relationship in the process.

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Negative Synergy: Increasing Energy of ResistanceThe usual win/lose approach results in expending negative synergy. It's like trying to drive down the road with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. Instead of taking their foot off the brake, most people give it more gas. They apply more pressure to strengthen their position, creating more resistance. In contrast, a cooperative approach enables accomplishment.

The problem is that highly dependent people are trying to succeed in an interdependent reality. They may talk win/win technique, but they want to manipulate others. These insecure people need to mold others to their way of thinking.

SolutionThe key to interpersonal synergy is intrapersonal synergy - synergy within ourselves helps us achieve synergy with others. The heart of intrapersonal synergy is the first three habits, which give the internal security sufficient to handle the risks of being open and therefore vulnerable. In addition, by learning to use the left brain, logic, with the right brain, emotion, we develop psychic synergy that is suited to reality, which is logical and emotional.

Valuing the DifferencesThe essence of synergy is to value the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people. The key to valuing these differences is to realize that all people see the world, not as it is, but as they are.

The person who is truly effective has the humility and reverence to recognize his own perceptual limitations and to appreciate the rich resources available through interaction with the hearts and minds of other human beings.

That two people can disagree and both are right is not logical: it's psycho-logical. And it's very real. We see the same thing, but interpret it differently because of our conditioning. Unless we value the differences in our perceptions and understand that life is not always a dichotomous either/or, that there are almost always third alternatives, we will never be able to transcend the limits of our conditioning.

To produce synergy, the concepts of win/win, mutual understanding, and seeking synergy are used to work directly on the restraining forces. Involving people in the problem, so they understand it, makes it their problem. They tend to become an important part of the solution. As a result, shared goals are created, enabling the whole enterprise to move upward.

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Quotes of Wisdom

1. “If you're not sure where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else.” - Unknown

2. “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” - Steven Covey

3. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” - Proverbs (The Bible)

4. “We will find only what we look for, nothing more and nothing less.” - Unknown

5. “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” - Japanese Proverb

Summary

Change begins with the self. Change is possible, but it takes effort. We can change ourselves more easily than someone else or the world. By becoming responsible for our decisions and actions, we gain the power to create our future. Choose ones goals, using intelligence, aspiration and imagination, Focus on it constantly, as ones life and soul. Only practice will produce results. Daily drill the mind to accept new paradigms, new habits and

new goals. Goals must include acting according to the eternal principles by which we live-- values from the

eternal but individual soul. What we cannot change we accept as grace of God. By becoming independent and proactive, we increase our circle of influence: By changing ourselves

we change others to proactivity. Strive for mutually benefit rather than personal gain at others’ expense. Understand with openness the position of others and communicate clearly our own needs and goals. Everyone is an individual, different. Build a third alternative based on the differences. Confident (habits 1-3), caring (habit 4), trustworthy (habit 5) individuals together create dynamic

results (habit 6).

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Group Task: Form small groups of 3-5 friends seated near you. Get acquainted and start focussing on the task given. Choose a spokesperson to represent the group’s views, which have been put down on a piece of paper.

1. “Santi is a nurse in the hospital. She has been assigned to one male patient Visvanathan. Visvanathan has cancer. The doctors thought he wouldn't live for three weeks. Unexpectedly he has prolonged his life for six months. He is a troublesome patient. Whatever she does for him he complains. Sometimes he uses foul language. She can no longer tolerate going near him, but she has to do her job. The other nurses also don’t like him. Sometimes she goes home and cries because of all the harsh words he uses. She is so tense that when her children cry, she screams at them.”

What should she do?

2. “Ramesh is the manager. He has been so for fifteen years. He is expert and experienced. But none of the junior executives like him. He takes their carefully prepared projects and cuts them apart after all their hard work. They silently agree to change everything according to his wishes but inside they all hate him. They all grumble about him when they meet and hope he will retire or have a heart attack. Their initiative is stifled. Complaints to the director are useless since he depends on Ramesh. Some have found other jobs out of frustration. Ajit is one of the junior executives who has just joined. He gets a good salary. Jobs with pay like this for inexperienced juniors are scarce.” Should he tolerate?

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