Satchidananda, The Living Gita

Sri Swami Satchidananda is one of the world's best known and most respected Yoga masters. Yoga (with a capital Y) refers to a thousand years old spiritual tradition and not just the practice of postures which is called Hatha Yoga. The purpose of Yoga is communion with the divine.

In Satchidananda's teachings and stories, he offers guidance for everyday problems in family life and business. He shows how to realize Universal Consciousness. His teachings outline the path to peace of mind and a new, more spiritual way of life.

Lessons come from the following book:

  • The Living Gita, the complete Bhagavad Gita, a commentary for modern readers, and

The focus of the teachings:

  1. Dedication to a life of service for others
  2. Acting for the sake of acting, doing as spirit guides, and letting God be in charge of results; e.g., avoiding fixed expectations and anticipations,
  3. Getting free from the turmoil of "I-consciousness" and experiencing the peace of "unity-consciousness."
  4. A path towards ongoing spiritual transformation and union, emphasizing the path rather than a destination.

Quotes from Satchidanda

  • "Truth is one, paths are many"
    • Satchidananda recommends that people honor the religious tradition that most speaks to their heart, often the one that they grew up with.

 

  • "Scriptures ought to be read again and again ... If any of the lines here catch your eye and your heart, read them often. Learn them by heart, and apply them in your life. You don't even need a whole sentence, not even half a sentence. Just a quarter of one line is enough to lift you like a rocket, not just to the moon or Mars, but to the heavenly sun itself."
    • We will commence with the study of Satchidananda's annotated version of the Bhagavad Gita.

 

  • "The ultimate quest of the entire world is peace. Only in peace do we have joy. Not by acquiring things, not by doing things, not by earning or learning, but by dedication. You entire life must be a sacrifice. Think for the sake of others. To such a person, peace is guaranteed."

 

  • "Normally, we think of the world first. But [holy scripture] believes in transforming the individual before transforming the world. Whatever change we want ato happen outside should happen inside. And if you walk in peace and express peace in your very life, others will see you and learn something."

 

 


 

NOTE: Lessons listed in reverse chronological order, the most recent at the top.
Videocasts are links to YouTube videos.

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Ten

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Nine

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Eight

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Seven

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Six

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Five

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Four, continued

Easter 2019 Special

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Four

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Three

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Seventeen

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Fifteen

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Three

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter Two

 

 

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updated March 26,  2020