The Heart of the Bhagavad Gita:
Uplift Your Mind and Soul
with Rukmini Chaitanya
12-WEEK LIVE ONLINE CERTIFICATION COURSE
May 7 – July 23, 2024, Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET
Join our Spiritual Family and live with more meaning and purpose each day.
Join this 12-weekly course and embark on a transformative journey through the sacred verses of the Bhagavad Gita!
Participate in live gatherings for a joyful spiritual experience amongst like minded people from all over the world. Or watch the recordings at your own time and contact Rukmini Chaitanya at any time with your questions and thoughts. The course is approved by the Yoga Alliance for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
This course will dive deep into the profound teachings encapsulated in Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita.
In this enlightening course, you will:
- Explore Profound Teachings: Delve into the profound teachings of Chapter 17, uncovering its relevance to modern life and its timeless wisdom.
- Understand the Nature of Faith: Gain insights into the nature of faith, its significance, and its role in spiritual evolution.
- Master the Science of Sacrifice: Learn the art of selfless giving and understand the significance of various forms of sacrifice in achieving spiritual growth.
- Discover the Power of Austerity: Uncover the transformative power of austerity and its role in purifying the mind and body.
- Cultivate Divine Qualities: Learn to cultivate divine qualities within yourself, fostering a deeper connection with the divine and the universe.
Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita provides a comprehensive framework for personal transformation and spiritual growth. By incorporating its teachings into daily life, individuals can navigate challenges, cultivate virtues, and ultimately transform their lives for the better.
– The Bhagavad Gita, 17.16
The Bhagavad Gita (‘the Song of God’) holds immense significance as a philosophical and spiritual guide, offering timeless wisdom on various aspects of life, duty, morality, and Self-realization. It serves as a practical manual for navigating the complexities of existence and attaining spiritual enlightenment. Through its teachings, we can find guidance on ethical dilemmas, the pursuit of righteousness, and the realization of one’s true Self. The Gita’s universal messages resonate across cultures and generations, making it a revered scripture that continues to inspire millions worldwide toward a path of self-discovery, inner peace, and fulfilment.
Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita offers several key lessons that are relevant to our spiritual growth and daily life:
- Understanding Faith: One of the primary lessons from Chapter 17 is the understanding of faith and its threefold nature – Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic. This teaches us to discern the quality of our beliefs and how they influence our actions and attitudes.
- Significance of Sacrifice: The chapter emphasizes the importance of sacrifice in spiritual practice. It teaches that acts of giving, whether through wealth, austerity, or knowledge, are essential for inner purification and spiritual evolution.
- Practice of Austerity: Austerity and self-discipline are highlighted as crucial aspects of spiritual life. By practicing moderation, self-control, and renunciation, individuals can purify their minds and bodies, paving the way for spiritual growth.
- Cultivation of Divine Qualities: Chapter 17 outlines divine qualities such as truthfulness, non-violence, and compassion. It teaches us to cultivate these virtues in our lives, leading to personal development, harmonious relationships, and spiritual fulfilment.
- Role of Intention: The chapter emphasizes the importance of intention in all actions. It teaches that actions performed with purity of heart and mind are considered Sattvic and lead to spiritual growth, while actions performed with selfish motives are considered Rajasic or Tamasic.
- Value of Offerings: The significance of offerings made with devotion is highlighted, whether they are offerings of food, penance, or charity. Such offerings, when made with sincerity and reverence, contribute to spiritual progress and inner peace.
Overall, Chapter 17 provides practical guidance for leading a spiritually fulfilling life, emphasizing the importance of faith, sacrifice, austerity, and the cultivation of divine qualities. These lessons are timeless and applicable to individuals seeking personal growth and Self-realization.
Key Highlights of this Course:
- Chapter Overview – Gain insight into the significance and context of Chapter 17 in the Bhagavad Gita.
- Understand the dynamics of Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic faith.
- Explore the significance of various forms of sacrifice for spiritual growth.
- Learn practical methods for practicing austerity and self-discipline.
- Cultivate divine qualities like truthfulness, non-violence, and compassion.
- Discover how to apply Chapter 17 teachings to daily life for personal growth.
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Engage in discussions, activities, and guided study for an immersive experience.
Come on this transformational journey with Rukmini and you’ll gain the following insights…
- Understanding the Nature of Faith: The chapter categorizes faith into three types – Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic. This classification provides insight into the diversity of beliefs and their impact on individual actions and attitudes.
- Importance of Sacrifice: Chapter 17 highlights the significance of sacrifice in spiritual practice. It emphasizes the different forms of sacrifice, such as offerings of wealth, austerity, and knowledge, revealing how acts of selflessness contribute to spiritual growth and inner transformation.
- Power of Austerity and Self-Discipline: The chapter underscores the transformative power of austerity and self-discipline in purifying the mind and body. It offers insights into the practice of moderation, self-control, and renunciation, which are essential for spiritual evolution.
- Cultivation of Divine Qualities: Chapter 17 outlines divine qualities such as truthfulness, non-violence, and compassion. It encourages individuals to cultivate these virtues in their lives, leading to personal growth, harmonious relationships, and spiritual fulfilment.
- Path to Spiritual Evolution: Overall, Chapter 17 provides guidance on the path to spiritual evolution and Self-realization. It offers practical teachings that are applicable to daily life, guiding individuals towards a deeper understanding of themselves and their connection to the divine. Through the cultivation of faith, sacrifice, austerity, and divine qualities, individuals can embark on a journey of inner transformation and fulfilment.
The three main tenants of this course are
Connect, Study, Practice.
In Sanskrit we call them: Satsanga (association with spiritual people and teachers), Swadhyaya (Self Study or study of scriptures), Sadhana (Spiritual Practice)
SATSANGA
During this 12 week course you will connect with…
- Like-minded spiritual seekers from around the world.
- An experienced teacher whose life is dedicated to spiritual study and practice.
- An authentic living lineage of great yoga masters – Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnudevananda, and Swami Swaroopananda. This lineage goes all the way back to the great 8th century saint Adi Shankaracharya. It goes back even further to Lord Narayana, the Supreme Being Himself.
- Lord Krishna, the Divine Incarnation and the Jagad Guru (teacher of the whole world), who is the in-dweller of your heart.
- The sacred dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, his beloved friend and disciple, the spiritual hero that represents all of us.
SWADHYAYA
During these 12 weeks, you will study from the Bhagavad Gita which is..
- The Song of God (because that which you are can only be described in poetry, not in prose).
- A revelation of the most profound, sublime, and soul-stirring spiritual truths.
- The rare secret of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti and Karma.
- Your great guide, supreme teacher, and the source of all wisdom.
- An inexhaustible spiritual treasure, a fountain of bliss, and ocean of knowledge.
SADHANA
Classes will include short practices of…
- Meditation — calming the mind, watching the breath, focusing within. This helps cultivate a sense of inner peace.
- Japa — silent repetition of Mantra, a sacred sound. This helps foster concentration.
- Kirtan — Chanting the Divine Name either alone or in a communal environment with the accompaniment of musical instruments; this boosts your energy reserves, helping you stay alert, awake, and aware throughout your daily activities for longer and with more joy.
- Students will be encouraged to practice Asana and Pranayama (yogic postures and breathing techniques) on their own time. You will also be asked to maintain a spiritual diary; you will have the option to share with Rukmini Chaitanya and receive spiritual guidance from her.
What people are saying about Rukmini Chaitanya…
Additional Information:
Offered as 12 weekly sessions – Tuesdays May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16 & 23 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm 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:
- 18 hours of live video courses
- Bhagavad Gita – translation and commentary by Swami Sivananda
- Course Manual
More praise for Rukmini Chaitanya…
“Rukmini Chaitanya presents online courses in a variety of areas, based on the sublime scriptures and monistic non-dual Vedanta tradition in a clear, consistent, uplifting and most important loving way. Highly recommended for seekers of all walks of life.”
– Menas C. Kafatos, Quantum Physicist, Philosopher, Writer
Rukmini Chaitanya
Rukmini Chaitanya is a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and the personal assistant to Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya, or spiritual director of the Ashram. She regularly teaches the Bhagavad Gita during the Sivananda Yoga Teacher training as well as other courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, positive thinking, meditation, and yoga philosophy.
Rukmini Chaitanya is known for her enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style as well as for her devotion to the lineage and the scriptures. She is dedicated to each of her students and has an innate desire to share knowledge with them. She brings a great deal of clarity to every topic and is highly appreciated for her capacity to unfold complicated topics and present them in a coherent and pure way.