- LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM
June 15 – August 17, 2022
Self-Surrender and Self-Knowledge Cultivating Equanimity and Non-Attachment
Swami Brahmananda
10 WEEKLY SESSIONS, Wednesdays, 6:00-7:45pm ET
Course Description:
Join this 10-week course with Swami Brahmananda to learn what makes our spiritual life fulfilling and fully integrated with our everyday activities. Throughout this course you will learn how to overcome emotional disturbances and attachments and gain tools to cultivate mental equanimity and inner strength based on the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta as taught in the Bhagavad Gita. The teachings and practices are meant for new and experienced students alike.
The Bhagavad Gita is acclaimed as the teaching that guides us how to put in practice and apply directly in our life the sublime teachings of Yoga and Vedanta. Throughout the Bhagavad Gita the attitude of surrendering oneself to the Divine and accepting life’s dualities and challenges as God’s grace is given as a means for attaining peace and equanimity. When the mind is thus purified from binding attachments and emotions one can attain Self-knowledge and abide in one’s true nature as the all-pervading, limitless Self.What You'll Learn:
The course is an in-depth study of the seventh and eighth chapters of the Bhagavad Gita with traditional commentary.
Some of the main points of the teachings we will be covering are:
- What makes our spiritual life fulfilling and fully integrated with our everyday activities
- How to cultivate mental equanimity
- How to overcome emotional disturbances and attachments
- How to attain Self-knowledge and inner freedom while engaging with the world
- How to cultivate the attitude of surrendering oneself to the Divine and accepting pleasure and pain, success and failure, gain and loss as the Lord's grace, thereby finding peace in the unavoidable challenges of life
- Paroksha Jnanam or indirect knowledge of Brahman which is obtained through the study of the Upanishads and Vijnanam or Aparoksha Jnanam obtained through direct Self-realisation (intuitional wisdom).
- The whole universe originates from Brahman, is sustained in Brahman and dissolves into Brahman.
- Maya, the divine illusion of the Lord, made up of the qualities of Nature is difficult to cross over; those who take refuge in the Lord alone cross over this illusion.
- The four kinds of devotees: the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise.
- By the delusion of the pairs of opposites of pleasure and pain etc, arising from desire and aversion, all beings are subject to delusion.
- By always remaining in tune with the Lord through pure love, everything is made auspicious, if one can ever remain united with the Divine through deep devotion, constant remembrance, regular meditation and continuous communion, then all times, places, conditions and situations become auspicious and blessed. This is the secret of invoking His Grace and attaining Him and becoming eternally free and blissful.
- The secret of reaching the Divine Being and thus freeing oneself forever from birth and death and the pains and sufferings of this earth-life, is to constantly practise unbroken remembrance of the Lord at all times, in all places and even amidst one’s daily activities. If one practises such steady remembrance through regular daily Sadhana, then he will be rooted in His remembrance even at the time of departing from this body at death. Thus departing, he will go beyond darkness and bondage and attain the realm of eternal blessedness.
- The cosmic time scales - the day and night of Brahma, the creator and the four cosmic ages or Yugas: Kali Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, Treta Yuga, Satya Yuga.
"When Swami Brahmananda teaches, he frequently uses inspiring stories, anecdotes and brilliant analogies which make the teachings easier to understand, to remember, and then to apply in daily life. A magnificent and powerful creative force emanates from him. Throughout this course, you will get an understanding on how the mind works and you will gain significant tools to gradually master it to ultimately Self-surrender to God."
- Mélissa.
"Highly recommend this course to students of Yoga - very clear transmission designed to uplift the individual as well as society. Highest teaching in practical clear terms for All."
- Narayani L.
"Swamiji Brahmananda is a thoughtful and kind teacher. My journey in this life has new meaning. I have a clearer vision of the Self and I am definitely more peaceful. My spiritual awakening has begun with the right knowledge and conscious sadhana. Thank you Swamiji for your guidance and patience."
- Alpana.
Additional Information:
Offered as 10 weekly sessions on Wednesdays, Jun 15, 22, 29, Jul 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17 6:00-7:45pm ET
This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.
For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.
It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.
Requirements and Recommendations:
- No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
- Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.
- Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.
- Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device. For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.
- Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.
Course Includes:
- 16 hours of on-demand video
- 8 live sessions of 2 hours of study from the Patanjali Yoga sutras and guided practices. Each class includes teachings, practice time and dedicated time for questions and answers
- Home guided practices – including recorded guided meditations
- Feedback and personal guidance on student’s home practices
- Availability to ask questions about the studies and practices between classes
- Course Manual
Swami Brahmananda is a monk and senior teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and is the current Manager of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. Swami Brahmananda joined the Sivananda organization in 1999 and was initiated into Sannyasa (monasticism) in 2006.
A long-time practitioner of yoga, meditation and philosophical studies, he regularly teaches meditation and yoga philosophy for the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses as well as the Advanced Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses. He also teaches online courses on the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and Vedanta. Swami Brahmananda is a much-loved, inspiring, and knowledgeable teacher.