Discussion Forum Takeaways - Week 1

       Is the Gita relevant to everyone? Can we connect with Arjuna's struggles, even if our lives differ? We had a lively discussion about the first three chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, delving into its importance and Arjuna's mindset.

        A key aspect of the Gita is the advice to "uthistha bharata," urging us to fulfill our duties without complaint. Our various roles, like creating a secure home and supporting our families, align with this guidance. Another crucial Gita verse, 'karmanyevadhikaraste,' emphasizes effort towards our goals, understanding that we are instruments, transcending and going beyond just thinking about ourselves. Ramana Maharshi surprised someone by stating that only performing actions wouldn't lead to enlightenment. Moksha is our innate state; understanding and realizing it is key.

        Decisions like choosing an airline ticket may not need to adopt Gita's teachings, but in moral dilemmas, Gita provides valuable guidance. Like Arjuna, we're all strong and ready to handle life's challenges, but sometimes we freeze up or lose steam in certain situations. Other times, we're just confused. Should we prioritize others over ourselves? Does taking care of our family mean giving up on our own needs? Dealing with both happiness and sorrow is part of life. Holding onto only happiness often leads to more sorrow; so how do we stay balanced?

        Two important takeaways from Arjuna's confusion are that his confusion is much like our own, but the real strength lies in his willingness to admit he doesn't have all the answers. Admitting our lack of knowledge opens doors to learning and new possibilities. Surrendering to Krishna is like tuning into a radio station – always available, but we must connect for guidance.

        People live in a competitive world where success may require stepping on others. We have misunderstood the rules of life as the structure of the world is contradictory to how we need to live according to the Gita. Unlearning and relearning life's true rules is a step forward to understanding ourselves.

        Sometimes, we aren't aware that we're in the Arjuna state. Our minds are jittery, distracted by various worldly vectors and shiny objects. This distraction leads to ignorance, desire, and further ignorant action. While meditation and pranayama help calm the mind, is the answer to breaking free from the endless lifecycles hidden in the Gita? Can continuous learning, living, and immersing ourselves in the Gita help us evolve from our Arjuna state of mind? We shall see .....stay tuned!