Simple Living, High Thinking #30: Maintaining Equanimity in the Face of Dualities

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Bhagavad Gita, Ch 5, Texts 18-29

Time stamps and topics:

2:14 - The setting of the Bhagavad Gita and a summary of chapters 1-4.

19:54 - The theme of duality and the different ways we perceive things as 'good' or 'bad'. Krishna is laying out a strategy to be equipoised to handle the dualities of the world - to tolerate them without being so disturbed. The purpose of this is to allow knowledge to be seeded.

16:34 - Handling life's biggest duality of birth and death.

18:44 - We should not allow our happiness to depend on outside factors. Living in sameness and equanimity.

23:44 - Is unlimited happiness really attainable? Our nature as a spiritual being is to be happy and have true knowledge. This knowledge gives clarity as to who we really are as a soul, not a body.

29:35 - God is all good, all powerful, and all knowledgeable. If God is all good, then there is no 'bad'. If the nature of spirit is to be good, intelligent, and wise, then happiness will reign supreme; we can ultimately be happy. Unlimited happiness is found within in our spiritual existence. If we are focusing on dualities, then we are pulled to things which are external and material.

35:09 - The worst of your sufferings eventually comes to an end - it's just a matter of time. Conversely, all good things also come to an end. We learn to find equanimity through it all.

36:42 - We don't have to die in order to attain spiritual transcendence. There's a saying, "Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." Who wouldn't want to go to a better place? But am I ready to let things go.. my family, children, house, job, car, my body itself? Krishna here is solving this dilemma. Krishna is telling us that we can achieve this unlimited happiness by embracing this knowledge. Checking these forces of anger, desire, greed, hate, and tolerating these urges - thus conquering these earthly dualities. You can be happy right now. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

42:58 - The importance of regulating the senses through lifestyle choices (e.g. not drinking, having casual sex, etc.) Dualities change as you progress through spiritual life. In the beginning, it may be regulating addictive behaviors. Then it may move to regulating emotional behaviors. Eventually, it may move to pride and ego in our spiritual accomplishments.

45:46 - The only duality that is important -- Everything that takes us closer to Krishna, and everything that takes us away from Krishna.

Tukaram Prabhu's 10/23/2020 Bhagavad Gita class: https://www.facebook.com/lagunabeachtemple/videos/806358560096944

Tukaram Prabhu's Instagram: @tukaram.das

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