#6 Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 2 Continued Part 1/3

#6 Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 2 Continued Part 1/3

A sunlit path through the woods.

In this video, Ryan continues to emphasize the importance of doing one’s duty without attachment to the results. In Chapter 2 of the Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna, “Knowing now the duty before you, you should not hesitate; indeed, there is no higher good for a warrior-spirit than righteous endeavor performed as duty. Happy are such devotees to whom such a fortunate endeavor is presented as an open entrance to spiritual fulfillment. . . . If you are slain, you shall attain spiritual fulfillment; if you are victorious, you will enjoy life in the world. Therefore stand up, resolved to do your duty.” This is the duty of all human life.

Ryan also states that even-mindedness is an often overlooked aspect of yoga practice and that it’s important to control one’s state of consciousness. This statement is supported by verses 38–40: “Considering pleasure and displeasure, gain and loss, victory and defeat, with even-mindedness, engage in righteous endeavor. Thus you shall not incur misfortune. . . . With this yoga of knowledge, Arjuna, you shall rid yourself of the bondage of karma. . . . Even a little of this practice protects one from great dangers.”

Arjuna asks Krishna what a Self-realized person is like. Krishna answers in verse 41: “On this path, those who are firmly decided are resolute; the thoughts of the uncommitted branch out in many directions and in endless variations.” Ryan expresses the importance of finding one path, sticking to it, and developing discernment.

He also explains that meditation is a training tool used to attain a shift in viewpoint. Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and Ryan’s teacher, often said that all it takes to wake up is simply a shift in viewpoint. When we’re meditating, we’re learning to draw back and see what we are not and be what we are so that we can make that shift. Tools and techniques are useful, but don’t be dependent on them. If the training tools don’t seem to work, don’t find fault with them. Instead, learn to really engage the techniques and not just mechanically go through the process.

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