The Heart of the Bhagavad Gita:
Uplift Your Mind and Soul
with Rukmini Chaitanya
12-WEEK LIVE ONLINE CERTIFICATION COURSE
June 20 – Sept 5, 2023, Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm ETJoin our Spiritual Family and live with more meaning and purpose each day.
Welcome to a transformative 12-week online journey into the profound teachings of the
Bhagavad Gita, a timeless scripture that holds the power to ignite your spiritual
evolution and bring profound meaning to your life.
Studying the Bhagavad Gita is an opportunity to embark on a transformative inner exploration, unraveling the mysteries of existence, and discovering the keys to living a life of purpose, fulfillment, and lasting inner peace. This sacred text offers invaluable guidance for navigating the complexities of modern life, empowering you to find clarity amidst confusion, make conscious choices, and embrace a path of self-realization.
In this immersive course, we will dive deep into the 14th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, known as “The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas”. This chapter delves into the profound concepts of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—the three qualities that influence our thoughts, actions, and the very fabric of our being. By understanding and harmonizing these qualities, you will gain insights into your own nature and learn how to transcend limiting patterns, opening the doorway to self-mastery and spiritual growth. Most importantly, you will learn how attachment to the Gunas is the cause of our spiritual bondage and we can attain freedom by transcending the Gunas.
During our live sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage in vibrant discussions and explore the nuances of the teachings alongside a group of like-minded students from all around the world. Participate in live Q&A sessions, where your questions will be addressed, fostering deep insights and personal growth.
As we chant the verses in Sanskrit, the ancient language of the scriptures, you will experience a profound resonance with the wisdom encoded within these sacred sounds. Guided by the traditional commentaries of esteemed masters such as Adi Shankaracharya and Swami Sivananda, we will unlock the deep layers of meaning embedded in the verses, allowing their profound teachings to come alive in your heart and mind.
Your course teacher, Rukmini Chaitanya, brings a wealth of experience and a unique teaching style to guide you on this transformative journey. With years of dedicated practice and a deep understanding of the Bhagavad Gita, Rukmini Chaitanya embodies the teachings she imparts. Her compassionate approach and insightful guidance create a supportive environment where students can thrive, allowing you to integrate these profound teachings into your daily life with ease.
For those unable to attend the live sessions, recordings of each class will be available, ensuring that you can engage with the material at your own pace and convenience. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to communicate with Rukmini Chaitanya via email, offering you personalized support and guidance throughout your journey.
Please note that no prior knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita or familiarity with the previous 13 chapters is required to participate in this course. We understand that everyone starts their spiritual journey from a different point, and we warmly welcome beginners as well as advanced students.
At the beginning of the course, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Bhagavad Gita, ensuring that everyone is grounded in the fundamental concepts and teachings. You will receive a clear understanding of the context and significance of the 14th chapter, allowing you to fully engage with the material and derive the maximum benefit from the course.
This course has been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of individuals at various stages of their spiritual journey. Whether you are exploring the Bhagavad Gita for the first time or seeking to deepen your understanding of its profound wisdom, you will find a supportive and inclusive learning environment where you can grow and evolve.
Embrace this opportunity to embark on a transformative journey into the 14th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, regardless of your level of familiarity with the scripture. Enroll now and unlock the timeless teachings that will empower you to live a life of inner harmony, spiritual growth, and profound fulfillment.
Studying the Bhagavad Gita is an opportunity to embark on a transformative inner exploration, unraveling the mysteries of existence, and discovering the keys to living a life of purpose, fulfillment, and lasting inner peace. This sacred text offers invaluable guidance for navigating the complexities of modern life, empowering you to find clarity amidst confusion, make conscious choices, and embrace a path of self-realization.
In this immersive course, we will dive deep into the 14th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, known as “The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas”. This chapter delves into the profound concepts of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—the three qualities that influence our thoughts, actions, and the very fabric of our being. By understanding and harmonizing these qualities, you will gain insights into your own nature and learn how to transcend limiting patterns, opening the doorway to self-mastery and spiritual growth. Most importantly, you will learn how attachment to the Gunas is the cause of our spiritual bondage and we can attain freedom by transcending the Gunas.
During our live sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage in vibrant discussions and explore the nuances of the teachings alongside a group of like-minded students from all around the world. Participate in live Q&A sessions, where your questions will be addressed, fostering deep insights and personal growth.
As we chant the verses in Sanskrit, the ancient language of the scriptures, you will experience a profound resonance with the wisdom encoded within these sacred sounds. Guided by the traditional commentaries of esteemed masters such as Adi Shankaracharya and Swami Sivananda, we will unlock the deep layers of meaning embedded in the verses, allowing their profound teachings to come alive in your heart and mind.
Your course teacher, Rukmini Chaitanya, brings a wealth of experience and a unique teaching style to guide you on this transformative journey. With years of dedicated practice and a deep understanding of the Bhagavad Gita, Rukmini Chaitanya embodies the teachings she imparts. Her compassionate approach and insightful guidance create a supportive environment where students can thrive, allowing you to integrate these profound teachings into your daily life with ease.
For those unable to attend the live sessions, recordings of each class will be available, ensuring that you can engage with the material at your own pace and convenience. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to communicate with Rukmini Chaitanya via email, offering you personalized support and guidance throughout your journey.
Please note that no prior knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita or familiarity with the previous 13 chapters is required to participate in this course. We understand that everyone starts their spiritual journey from a different point, and we warmly welcome beginners as well as advanced students.
At the beginning of the course, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Bhagavad Gita, ensuring that everyone is grounded in the fundamental concepts and teachings. You will receive a clear understanding of the context and significance of the 14th chapter, allowing you to fully engage with the material and derive the maximum benefit from the course.
This course has been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of individuals at various stages of their spiritual journey. Whether you are exploring the Bhagavad Gita for the first time or seeking to deepen your understanding of its profound wisdom, you will find a supportive and inclusive learning environment where you can grow and evolve.
Embrace this opportunity to embark on a transformative journey into the 14th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, regardless of your level of familiarity with the scripture. Enroll now and unlock the timeless teachings that will empower you to live a life of inner harmony, spiritual growth, and profound fulfillment.
During this transformational journey you’ll discover…
- How the three gunas, or qualities of nature, bind the soul to samsara. Sattva binds one to become attached to happiness and knowledge. Rajas binds one to thirst for sense pleasure and become attached to action and Tamas makes one deluded.
- How the three gunas overpower one another to have dominance over the mind, how they ever revolve
- How to identify the dominance of each of the gunas in us.
- What happens to a person at the time of death, when each of the gunas has predominance in the mind.
- What is the fruit of sattvic pure actions; what is the fruit of rajasic passionate actions and what is the fruit of tamasic or deluded actions.
- How the above qualities lead to knowledge of the Self
- What is the state of liberation where one attains freedom from the gunas.
- What are the marks of the one who has transcended the three gunas; what is his conduct and how does he/she go beyond the three qualities.
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…
"This was a great course. Rukmini Chaitanya is a great teacher. I was very impressed with her knowledge of Bhakti and her easy way of presenting it."
- Susan Bushe
"Rukmini was my yoga philosophy teacher, meditation instructor, and karma yoga supervisor for three months. I cannot say enough good things about her teachings and her worldview. Take the course. You owe it to yourself and to the world."
- Christopher Holvenstot
"Rukmini Chaitanya is so smart and so sweet and a very good teacher. I enjoyed myself very much."
- Jasmin Cromwell
"I have always wanted to understand the Gita and Rukmini made it so easy and fun to learn."
- Victoria Montanino Ortiz
"Rukmini Chaitanya is very knowledgeable and even if you don't know much about the topic, she will transmit her passion and engagement to you."
- Rita Rapella (Omkari)
Additional Information:
Offered as 12 weekly sessions on Tuesdays on June 20, 27, July 4, 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & September 5th 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.