Yoga Wisdom with Acharya das

• #286 Celebrating Christmas - a yogi’s perspective

  In this talk, Acharya das explores the concept of Christmas from a yogic perspective. He begins by examining what Christmas means in contemporary society versus its original spiritual significance. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (Yeshua), known as Christ or Messiah, which means "the anointed one" and Acharya das discusses how yogis from the Vedic tradition would view and celebrate such a sacred day, emphasizing that they would honor any spiritual personality bringing enlightenment to mankind, regardless of tradition. The talk delves into Jesus's core teachings about loving God with one's entire being and loving others as oneself, contrasting spiritual consciousness with material consciousness. He also highlights Jesus's teachings on detachment from worldly possessions and worries, drawing parallels with yogic concepts like an atmarama, or self-satisfied transcendentalist. Throughout the talk, Acharya das critiques modern materialism and consumerism, offering that Jesus's message was fundamentally about spiritual transformation as opposed to worldly pursuits. The talk concludes with reflections on how spiritual growth can bring an experience of true fulfillment which the materialistic lifestyle cannot.

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• #285 The Yoga of Love

  In this final lecture of the "Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita" series, Acharya das explores the concept of "the yoga of love" or bhakti yoga. He explains that bhakti yoga represents both a spiritual practice and the ultimate goal of all yoga practices. In considering this subject it is important to distinguish between material conceptions of love, which are often self-centered, and true spiritual love, which is characterized by selflessness and devotion to the Supreme Soul. Acharya das emphasizes that bhakti is not merely a supplementary practice but the culmination of all spiritual paths, representing the natural function of the spirit soul in its pure state. The talk highlights the intimate, reciprocal relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul, describing it as a bond of "eternal kinship."Links to two other talks mentioned in this talk:Is it Love or Lust - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XVCggkxHZtkbQCJjlYN36?si=LRmjvduRQsqaV0iiDsQVugYoga of the Bhagavad-gita - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Q2YFvbXyh1eHyDqio6P9o?si=ckdKNW38RSCPrEaZ8Qe5CAVerses quoted in this talk:The same jīva is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning joined to the Supreme Lord by the tie of an eternal kinship. - Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.21And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service[bhakti-yoga], is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.47My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding. - Bhagavad-gītā 11.54The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not know anyone else but them. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.4.68I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.29O son of Kuntī, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.27If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.26Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.14But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form-to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have. - Bhagavad-gītā 9.22To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 10.10Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance. - Bhagavad-gītā 10.11Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. - Bhagavad-gītā 18.65He who follows this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engages himself with faith, making Me the supreme goal, is very, very dear to Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.20

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• #284 The Yoga of the Bhagavad-gita

  Exploring the concept of yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizing that yoga extends far beyond the common understanding of just physical postures (asanas). He explains that the word "yoga" appears over 100 times in the Bhagavad Gita's 700 verses, highlighting its central importance to the text. The fundamental meaning of yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj," which means to join or unite, specifically referring to the reunion of the individual soul (ātmā) with the Supreme Soul ((Paramātmā). There are various types of yoga paths described in the Bhagavad Gita, including karma yoga (the yoga of action), jnana yoga (the yoga of knowledge), dhyana yoga (the yoga of meditation), and bhakti yoga (the yoga of love). These different yoga practices are presented not as separate standalone paths but as progressive stages on a spiritual journey, likened to rungs on a ladder. The ultimate goal of all yoga practice is union with God or the Divine, which can be experienced in three ways: as the Brahman (the ocean of spiritual light), as Paramatma (the Supreme Soul within all beings), or as the personal form of God, Bhagavan, who is supremely beautiful and loving and engages in loving relationships.We hear that yoga doesn't require abandoning one's duties or position in life but rather transforming one's activities into spiritual practice by performing them without attachment to results and as service to God. Krishna is identified as Yogeshwara (the Lord of Yoga) and the ultimate object of yoga practice.Texts quoted in this talk:Only the ignorant speak of karma-yoga and devotional service [bhakti-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [sāṅkhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both. - Bhagavad-gītā 5.4A yogī is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogī. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.46Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.48A man engaged in [loving] devotional service [to the Lord] rids himself of both good and bad actions even in this life. Therefore strive for yoga, O Arjuna, which is the art of all work. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.50When the yogī, by practice of yoga, disciplines his mental activities and becomes situated in Transcendence - devoid of all material desires - he is said to have attained yoga. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.18A person is said to have attained to yoga when, having renounced all material desires, he neither acts for sense gratification nor engages in fruitive activities. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.4My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.9If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.10If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.11If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind. - Bhagavad-gītā 12.12Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. - Bhagavad-gītā 18.65And of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. - Bhagavad-gītā 6.47

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• #283 Q&A - Building a Meditation Habit - Your Key to a Spiritual Awakening

  This is the Q&A portion of the preceding talk on Developing a Meditation Habit - Your Key to a Spiritual Awakening.Acharya das explores the nature of spiritual existence and consciousness, focusing on the concept that humans are spiritual beings inhabiting physical bodies. He discusses near-death experiences as evidence of consciousness existing beyond the physical brain, emphasizing that spiritual beings are persons (purusha) rather than just an impersonal energy. His answers cover how meditation can help discover one's true spiritual nature, he critiques modern materialistic culture and its impact on mental health, and addresses questions about parenting in a spiritually-oriented way. He strongly criticizes the concept of "manifesting" as promoting self-centeredness contrary to our spiritual nature, and emphasizes the importance of teaching children delayed gratification, responsibility, and how to question everything.

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• #282 Building a Meditation Habit - Your Key to a Spiritual Awakening

  Acharya das explores the concept of spiritual awakening through meditation, particularly focusing on the use of transcendental sound. He explains that spiritual awakening begins with recognizing that we are eternal spiritual beings temporarily occupying physical bodies, rather than identifying solely with our physical forms and minds. Because of this bodily misidentification, most people live in a state of spiritual "sleep," constantly seeking fulfillment and happiness through material experiences while neglecting the need for “spiritual nutrition”. This misidentification leads to emptiness and anxiety, as material pursuits can never fully satisfy our spiritual hunger. Acharya das introduces meditation as immersion in transcendental sound the most powerful method for spiritual awakening. Unlike material sound, spiritual sound or mantras contain a unique potency that can purify the heart and mind. The regular practice of meditation using spiritual sound can transform one's perspective, reduce anxiety, and lead to greater peace and happiness, regardless of whether one's goal is spiritual awakening or simply finding more peace in daily life.

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