Chapter 3, v. 3-7 Explore the delicate balance between contemplation and action. Discover the profound insights that guide us in harmonizing our inner perception with our outer engagement. Learn practical strategies for controlling the senses, achieving equilibrium, and surrendering to the power of divine grace. Embark on a transformative journey of Self-discovery, aligning your actions with your highest potential for a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Jun 05, 2023•30 min•Ep. 49
As Arjuna, the seeking soul, grapples with confusion, we explore the path of knowledge and action on the spiritual journey. Discover how the guidance of Lord Krishna sheds light on the twofold approach to life and liberation. With insights into the interplay between contemplation and active engagement, we uncover the key to skillful action and the true nature of non-action. Tune in to explore the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita and embark on a transformative exploration of the Yoga of Actio...
May 29, 2023•23 min•Ep. 48
Spiritual and religious teachings from many traditions caution the seeker against desire by declaring if you want freedom, you must free yourself from desire. But is that even possible? Is it a reasonable goal? What do we know about the power of desire? Paramahansa Yogananda spoke about desireless desire and the one desire that leads inevitably toward freedom.
May 22, 2023•25 min•Ep. 47
Chapter 2, v. 69-72 The final verses of chapter two offer insights into the inner journey. The significance of detaching from desires and egoism is discussed, leading to inner peace and joy. The journey from darkness to light is reflected upon, revealing the path to living a liberated life and experiencing the divine bliss, despite life's challenges. Join this journey from darkness to light as the true essence of the Self is uncovered.
May 15, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46
Chapter 2, v. 65-68 Explore the secrets of cultivating a serene and resilient mind, unshackled from the chains of attachment and aversion. By unraveling the profound wisdom behind the power of our senses and mastering the art of self-navigation, we unveil the path to divine guidance, Self-realization, and the ultimate liberation from suffering. Prepare to embark on a journey of self-discovery, self-discipline, and profound liberation, paving the way to embrace lasting happiness and inner fulfill...
May 08, 2023•27 min•Ep. 45
Chapter 2, v. 62-65 We are given a step-by-step description of how one loses contact with the divine Self by indulging in sense attraction. Dwelling on objects of the senses leads to attachment, which leads to desire, anger, delusion, loss of memory, and ultimately the destruction of discrimination. This downward spiral causes one to lose touch with their conscience and their connection to spiritual teachings. Tune in to gain insight into how to maintain a connection with the divine and find inn...
Apr 30, 2023•31 min•Ep. 44
What are the road maps or indicators of what spiritual progress looks like? How can we tell if we are progressing? Learn four indicators that will guide and support your journey.
Apr 24, 2023•23 min•Ep. 43
Chapter 2, v. 60-62 The teachings highlight the importance of developing self-control and focus in spiritual practice. The verses emphasize the need to withdraw the senses from external distractions and remain centered on the divine. Four key practices for spiritual growth are outlined: discernment to distinguish between thoughts and desires that lead to suffering or freedom, commitment to freedom through willpower, devotion, and surrender to the divine Reality. The Masters of Kriya Yoga stress ...
Apr 17, 2023•34 min•Ep. 42
Chapter 2, v. 58-59 The teachings in these verses suggest that suppressing physical and mental urges is not the best approach to overcoming temptations. Instead, withdrawing sensory awareness from tempting circumstances and being centered in the soul and dispassionate can help us develop intellectual discernment and regulate sensory inclinations and desires. The benefits of consistent practice of contemplative meditation can help us turn the focus inward, leading to mental, emotional, and physio...
Apr 10, 2023•33 min•Ep. 41
Chapter 2, v. 55-57 These verses discuss the obstacles that impede spiritual progress and the means to overcome them. Lord Krishna explains that the senses are naturally attracted to external objects and can distract us from our spiritual path. He advises that by cultivating a sense of detachment and equanimity towards the objects of the senses, we can overcome these obstacles and attain inner peace. These verses teach us the importance of overcoming the impediments to spiritual progress and how...
Apr 03, 2023•27 min•Ep. 40
Chapter 2, v. 55 This verse emphasizes the importance of cultivating a steady mind for spiritual progress. According to Lord Krishna, a person with a calm and composed mind can attain perfect peace and contentment, which are essential for spiritual growth. This verse teaches us that a steady mind is the foundation of all spiritual practices and can lead to the realization of the Self, enabling us to experience inner peace and profound spiritual growth. BONUS teachings on four types of desires....
Mar 27, 2023•28 min•Ep. 39
Life’s powerful questions arise from our soul’s yearning to realize our true nature and actualize its divine potentials in our life every day. How is that actualization possible, we wonder? What does enlightenment look like? How does life change with spiritual awakening?
Mar 20, 2023•23 min•Ep. 38
Chapter 2, v. 54 Arjuna asks Lord Krishna about the description of a sage of awakened, steady knowledge who is immersed in Samadhi. Lord Krishna explains that this state is a permanent change in the mental field that enables one to remain aware of ultimate reality, even in the midst of worldly activity. The verse challenges us to reflect on how our own consciousness is revealed in our words, actions, and way of being in the world.
Mar 13, 2023•29 min•Ep. 37
Chapter 2, v. 51-53 These verses describe the importance of equanimity and detachment in achieving inner peace and freedom from sorrow. Lord Krishna explains that one who is steadfast, remains equanimous in pleasure and pain, and treats them alike, becomes free from the bondage of karma. He further emphasizes that a person who is established in equanimity attains the state of supreme bliss, which is beyond material existence.
Mar 06, 2023•27 min•Ep. 36
Spiritual practice prepares us to live in the world with wisdom and compassion. Learning how to do that is an art and a science. We study the science and develop insights and clarity. We master the art of living through participating in life every day with faith and dedication.
Feb 27, 2023•22 min•Ep. 35
Chapter 2, verses 48-51; These verses emphasize the significance of performing duties without attachment to the outcome and with steadfastness in spiritual pursuits. Lord Krishna teaches that actions should be performed as a sacred duty, offered to God, without concern for their results. One who performs actions in this way, attains peace and is not bound by the results of their actions.
Feb 06, 2023•26 min•Ep. 34
Chapter 2, v. 47-48; The path of Karma Yoga is for the purification of buddhi, the higher mind, so that the light of the true Self, of that which we are, can shine through the faculty of discernment and guide our actions in the moment. Lord Krishna reveals how to live and work so that you can do that in harmony with the intelligence of the Universe and find freedom in action.
Jan 30, 2023•24 min•Ep. 33
Chapter 2, v. 41-47; Resolute mind is a mind that is able to focus, and it starts with the distracted, unsteady, ordinary mind. Our work as yogis, as spiritual seekers, is to learn how to concentrate and cultivate single-minded focus on the goal. We learn how to follow divine will and not simply the urges of the sense mind or desire for particular results from actions. This helps us free ourselves from that bondage of karma.
Jan 23, 2023•28 min•Ep. 32
Chapter 2, v. 39-40; Karma Yoga is not just a path of action, even if that action is doing good works. Karma Yoga is a path of discernment that gives us a reorientation about how we do what we do and what the purpose is of what we're doing. Turning our attention and our awareness around is a change from seeking the results of action to doing what we do as an offering to God.
Jan 16, 2023•27 min•Ep. 31
Chapter 2 v. 23-38 Continuing with Chapter 2, we look into how to live in the world as an expression of the divine Reality. There is a progression from Jnana Yoga, from the way of wisdom—knowing the truth of what you are, towards Karma Yoga—how to take that knowing and act upon it.
Jan 09, 2023•30 min•Ep. 30
Chapter 2 v. 14-22 Continuing with Chapter 2, this is where Lord Krishna begins to teach the seeking soul Arjuna about the nature of Reality and about specific skills that we develop on the path to find the equanimity that is necessary for skillful living.
Jan 02, 2023•33 min•Ep. 29
Chapter 2 v. 1-15 Chapter Two is where the teachings of Lord Krishna begin. The message of the Bhagavad Gita is about the art of living, about skillful living. It's a third way. It's not about doing or not doing. It's about skillful living right where we are in the situation that we find ourselves. Let’s take a look at how to live as an immortal being in a world of constant change.
Dec 26, 2022•26 min•Ep. 28
Continuing with Chapter 1, we look at how our presence in the world following our Dharma and awareness that life is eternal allows spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is obtaining that highest insight and using it to inform the choices we make, as opposed to using it as a means to escape from the world and our duties.
Dec 19, 2022•33 min•Ep. 27
Continuing with Chapter 1, we look at how the divine life, the soul life, is lost in the first place. How does that happen? And why does that happen? Even though we are the radiant beings that we are, how is it that we gamble away our peace, our freedom, and our own Self-knowing? How do we lose that in the world? And how do we begin to reclaim it?
Dec 12, 2022•30 min•Ep. 26
The first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, per teachings of Kriya Yoga masters, is that what is happening in this battle is really a battle for the soul life. The forces that are at play are the various viewpoints of the mind, the various tensions that go on between the lower drives in the mental field and our desires, and the pull of the soul or of higher consciousness to fulfill its divine destiny.
Dec 06, 2022•25 min•Ep. 25
The teachings, the teacher, and the spiritual community are all a refuge from being lost in a world of dissatisfaction. Paramahansa Yogananda’s teacher, Sri Yukteswar would often say, “The boat that caries souls across the river of delusion is ready to depart. Who will go? Who will go? If no one goes, I will go!” Such unwavering determination is the way.
Dec 05, 2022•25 min•Ep. 24
A practical look at the mystery of karma and a few strategies for overcoming obstacles on our path that we can begin right away.
Nov 07, 2022•26 min•Ep. 23
Nothing compares to the power of gratitude and love to transform our lives. Clarity about our divine purpose connects us to that power and sets us on the path of ultimate freedom.
Oct 17, 2022•21 min•Ep. 22
By seeing ourselves and the context of our life clearly, we can live skillfully with equanimity, discernment, and faith. We can draw our strength, wisdom, direction, and perspective from the soul (our essential Self) even while we attend to multiple demands of the day. Learn to float with the grace and ease of timeless omnipresence in the time-bound ocean of change.
Sep 12, 2022•22 min•Ep. 21
Space allows all the other elements to arise. It is the most subtle, invisible field—an opening for possibility on all levels, physical, mental, and spiritual. Our need for space is fundamental, it allows us to accommodate all that arises and passes away. To be spacious is to be open to what is without undue attachment or aversion. In that space, is the soul’s joy.
Jun 13, 2022•26 min•Ep. 20
