- LIVE ONLINE PROGRAM
December 19-22, 2022
Self-Realization: Chapter Two of the Bhagavad Gita
Swami Sarvapriyananda
Are you looking for answers to questions such as: What is my purpose? Why am I here? What is real and what is unreal? How do I live my best life aligned with my values? If you are, this series of talks on the second chapter of Bhagavad Gita with beloved and knowledgeable teacher Swami Sarvapriyananda, head of the Vedanta Society in New York, is bound to give you food for thought and lead you to the answers you seek.
What is the second chapter and why has it been termed as the most important chapter of the Bhagavad Gita?
The second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is titled Sankhya Yoga, also known as the Yoga of Numbers and the Yoga of Divine Knowledge. The second chapter is often termed as the most important chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. It is in this chapter that Lord Krishna condenses all of the teachings of the entire Bhagavad Gita! That is: the 2nd chapter is the essence of the entire Bhagavad Gita and the 16 chapters that succeed it are reiterations of its teachings.
Within the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna completely surrenders himself to Lord Krishna, accepting his position as a disciple and Lord Krishna as his Guru. Part of this complete surrender is Arjuna’s earnest plea for a solution, a remedy, to his great sorrow — which comes from having been tasked with fighting a righteous war against his own family members.
Offered as 6 satsangs (subject to change).
What benefit does the Bhagavad Gita have for us?
The dialogue found in the Bhagavad Gita between Lord Krishna and Arjuna can be likened to an instruction manual for life. Arjuna’s despondency calls to mind the place in which we all find ourselves at one point or another: that place of deep uncertainty in which we are unsure of how to proceed, growing in our misery as we question the difference between what is right, what is wrong, and what happiness consists of.
Due to his complete surrender, Lord Krishna shares the divine knowledge that removes all sorrow, confusion, and doubt while revealing the true nature of Reality, of the Inner Self known as the Atman, and more. Of course, so much knowledge is hard to comprehend within just one chapter; thus, the teachings are explained again and again in succeeding chapters.
In this series of talks on Self Realization: Chapter Two of the Bhagavad Gita with Swami Sarvapriyananda, you will…
- Discover the main cause of grief, the ignorance of the true nature of the Self, and how to identify it
- Learn how to discriminate between what is Real and Permanent and what is Unreal
- Dive deep into why attachments to the Unreal, the Impermanent, are the main cause for our unhappiness, agony, doubt, sorrow
- Discover the solution for the ailments of modern life/the feeling of being lost and unhappy through the teachings of Karma Yoga, or the Yoga of Selfless Action, the discipline wherein one performs actions without being attached to their fruits/results
- Discuss the attributes one should cultivate to attain happiness. These characteristics are found within the nature of the ‘perfect man’ … e.g. a steady and one-pointed mind
Program Schedule:
December 19 at 8:00-9:30pm ET: Evening satsang
December 20 at 6-7:30am ET: Morning satsang
December 20 at 8:00-9:30pm ET: Evening satsang
December 21 at 6-7:30am ET: Morning satsang
December 21 at 8:00-9:30pm ET: Evening satsang
December 22 at 6-7:30am ET: Morning satsang
December 23 at 8:00-9:30pm ET: Evening satsang
- Satsangs begin with 30 minutes of silent meditation and 15 minutes of chanting. Swami Sarvapriyananda’s teaching will begin at 8:45pm each night.
This program is offered live through Zoom webinar. 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.
Recommendations:
- 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.
Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda is the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of New York. He joined the Ramakrishna Math and Mission in 1994, received sannyas ten years later, and served in the Hollywood Temple. He was the acharya of the monastic probationers’ training center at Belur Math, and also served as the vice principal of the Deoghar Vidyapith Higher Secondary School. He regularly gives retreats and spiritual talks throughout the United States.