Why read the Bhagavad-gita?
There is a trendy phrase circulating among leaders and forward-thinkers: find your why. The reasoning is that if you find your why, your whole life - and all the activities in your life - will have purpose.
In his Introduction to the Bhagavad-gita, Bhaktivedanta Swami (Prabhupad) provides the purpose of studying this scripture: "The whole purpose of the Bhagavad-gita is to revive our sanatana occupation, or sanatana-dharma, which is the eternal occupation of the living entity" (16). Interestingly, the purpose of studying this scripture is not to ruminate or continue to think and appreciate wisdom, to be an "armchair philosopher" (as the saying goes). Prabhupad emphasizes that the living entity has an "occupation" and inherent within an occupation is activity. Thus the whole purpose of the Gita is to actually become active.
One could say that to translate spiritual philosophy to be engaged in action is religion. The word "religion" often has very negative connotations attached to it - to be "spiritual but not religious" is the approved catchphrase, but to be "religious but not spiritual" is downright horrifying. Prabhupad emphasizes, though, that "Sanatana-dharma does not refer to any sectarian process of religion" (17). Indeed, if sanatana-dharma is eternal and inherent within all souls, then it exists outside of any religious idea of a ritual or belief. Prabhupad continues, "The English word religion is a little different from sanatana-dharma. Religion conveys the idea of faith, and faith may change. One may have faith in a particular process, and he may change this faith and adopt another, but sanatana-dharma refers to that activity which cannot be changed" (17). Within this definition of sanatana-dharma lies the essence of what it means to seek truth, the absolute truth. Truth is not relative. Truth just is. 2 + 2 = 4. Truth is not dependent on my willingness to believe or have faith (numbers don't care if I believe in them, they just exist), and it cannot be changed (2 + 2 will always, always equal 4). Truth is independent of my own brain and mind and heart.
Truth is truth.
Religion can fluctuate, but the nature of the soul just is. Prabhupad goes on to give the example how heat is integral to fire (17) - take away heat and there is no fire.
So naturally I wonder: what IS the eternal occupation of the soul? If the soul is "fire," what is the equivalent of "heat", the quality that defines the soul and cannot be taken away?
Prabhupad provides the answer: rendering service (18). Prabhupad reasons that service cannot be avoided, it is as integral to the soul as heat is to fire. We are all serving someone, right now, whether we do so out of fear (my boss) or duty (my students) or love (my husband). The fact that we serve others at all times is not up for debate or confined to this or that religion or if you or I believe in this or not. To serve is the eternal occupation of the soul.
The whole purpose of the Gita is to revive our truest expression of service, to serve God with love (27). This is not a matter of sectarian religion, this is a matter of truth and being aligned with that truth, because this is how the soul will ultimately, truly be happy. To stop chasing happiness and simply live it: to love and be loved.
If I was to find my why, that is my why. To love and be loved is the nature of my soul. This is not religion. Show me how to serve God. If this is a science, show me. I'm all ears.
I'm ready to hear.
sincerely,
Bhakti
There is a trendy phrase circulating among leaders and forward-thinkers: find your why. The reasoning is that if you find your why, your whole life - and all the activities in your life - will have purpose.
In his Introduction to the Bhagavad-gita, Bhaktivedanta Swami (Prabhupad) provides the purpose of studying this scripture: "The whole purpose of the Bhagavad-gita is to revive our sanatana occupation, or sanatana-dharma, which is the eternal occupation of the living entity" (16). Interestingly, the purpose of studying this scripture is not to ruminate or continue to think and appreciate wisdom, to be an "armchair philosopher" (as the saying goes). Prabhupad emphasizes that the living entity has an "occupation" and inherent within an occupation is activity. Thus the whole purpose of the Gita is to actually become active.
One could say that to translate spiritual philosophy to be engaged in action is religion. The word "religion" often has very negative connotations attached to it - to be "spiritual but not religious" is the approved catchphrase, but to be "religious but not spiritual" is downright horrifying. Prabhupad emphasizes, though, that "Sanatana-dharma does not refer to any sectarian process of religion" (17). Indeed, if sanatana-dharma is eternal and inherent within all souls, then it exists outside of any religious idea of a ritual or belief. Prabhupad continues, "The English word religion is a little different from sanatana-dharma. Religion conveys the idea of faith, and faith may change. One may have faith in a particular process, and he may change this faith and adopt another, but sanatana-dharma refers to that activity which cannot be changed" (17). Within this definition of sanatana-dharma lies the essence of what it means to seek truth, the absolute truth. Truth is not relative. Truth just is. 2 + 2 = 4. Truth is not dependent on my willingness to believe or have faith (numbers don't care if I believe in them, they just exist), and it cannot be changed (2 + 2 will always, always equal 4). Truth is independent of my own brain and mind and heart.
Truth is truth.
Religion can fluctuate, but the nature of the soul just is. Prabhupad goes on to give the example how heat is integral to fire (17) - take away heat and there is no fire.
So naturally I wonder: what IS the eternal occupation of the soul? If the soul is "fire," what is the equivalent of "heat", the quality that defines the soul and cannot be taken away?
Prabhupad provides the answer: rendering service (18). Prabhupad reasons that service cannot be avoided, it is as integral to the soul as heat is to fire. We are all serving someone, right now, whether we do so out of fear (my boss) or duty (my students) or love (my husband). The fact that we serve others at all times is not up for debate or confined to this or that religion or if you or I believe in this or not. To serve is the eternal occupation of the soul.
The whole purpose of the Gita is to revive our truest expression of service, to serve God with love (27). This is not a matter of sectarian religion, this is a matter of truth and being aligned with that truth, because this is how the soul will ultimately, truly be happy. To stop chasing happiness and simply live it: to love and be loved.
If I was to find my why, that is my why. To love and be loved is the nature of my soul. This is not religion. Show me how to serve God. If this is a science, show me. I'm all ears.
I'm ready to hear.
sincerely,
Bhakti
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