The thirty-ninth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India's most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.

In this talk, starting with Chapter 7:09, Swamiji discusses the subject of tapasya (effective spiritual practice). He share more the various similes about God Krishna talks of, such as Intelligence and Strength. He briefly touches on the gunas, and what Krishna says about evil-doers.

• Divinity in Practice: Tapasya (spiritual practice) is not just an action but is inherently divine. When one engages in practices like meditation or japa (repetition of a mantra), it is both a manifestation of the divine and a pathway to realizing divinity.
• Manifestation of God: God is described as the seed of all beings, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the splendor of the splendid. This suggests that divinity is within everyone, no matter their level of spiritual evolution.
• The Nature of Self: The talk emphasizes that individuals are essentially divine, even if not fully realized. The concept of "Mahatma" (great soul) is used to describe the potential and inherent greatness within us.
• Desire and Dharma: Desire, when aligned with dharma (righteousness), is seen as a manifestation of the divine. Spiritual aspirations are thus a divine call, guiding individuals towards higher consciousness.
• The Gunas: The three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) are discussed as qualities or modes that influence all existence.
• Delusion and Reality: The world is described as deluded by these gunas, leading to a lack of perception of the eternal divine presence. True understanding involves looking inward beyond these states to recognize one's true essence.
• Preparation for Spiritual Journey: The narrative of Dr. Leninger’s preparation for meeting a great Yogi serves as an allegory for the spiritual journey. It underscores the need for discipline, effort, and readiness to transcend the material world.
• Beyond Maya: Ultimately, realizing the divine means seeing through the illusion (Maya) to understand that the world is God's play (Lila). This realization brings joy, optimism, and a sense of playfulness in spiritual life.
• The Nature of Evil: Evil is not inherent but arises from ignorance of the divine truth. Evil actions stem from being caught in the lower modes of existence without seeking divine knowledge.
• Call to Seek God: The talk concludes with the idea that only those who seek God will overcome the illusions of Maya. The encouragement is to strive for spiritual awakening with joy and dedication.

Swami Nirmalananda Giri's commentary suggests that spiritual practice is both a journey towards and an expression of the divine within, advocating for a life aligned with higher consciousness and dharma.

The thirty-eighth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India's most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.

In this talk, starting with Chapter 7:04, Swamiji discusses the cosmology, both cosmic and personal, taught in the Gita. He share the various similes about God Krishna talks of.

Here is a summary of the talk "Spiritual Cosmology."

• Cosmic Composition: Krishna describes the universe as composed of eight divisions of Prakriti (primal energy): earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect, and ego principle. These elements make up the "lower Prakriti" or the material aspect of existence.
• Human as Microcosms: Humans are seen as miniature universes, reflecting the cosmos. This analogy is drawn from the idea that just as many bowls of water can reflect the sun, humans reflect the divine, suggesting an intrinsic divine nature within each individual.
• Higher and Lower Prakriti: Beyond the material elements, there's a "higher Prakriti" consisting of all individual conscious entities (Jivas), which are considered the higher creation, directly linked to the divine consciousness.
• Divine Manifestation in Nature: Krishna identifies himself with various natural phenomena: the taste in water, the radiance of the sun and moon, the sound in the ether, and the life in all beings, emphasizing that God is the essence behind all manifestations.
• The Oneness of Existence: The talk underscores the unity of all existence with Krishna stating, "There is none beside me," indicating a non-dual view where all diversity springs from and dissolves back into one divine source.
• Life and Consciousness in All Matter: Everything in the universe is considered alive at some level, from the smallest particle to complex beings. This life is part of the divine journey toward consciousness, with even plants and trees embodying a form of consciousness.
• Respect for Life: There's a strong ethical call to respect all forms of life due to their divine essence. The talk criticizes the act of killing for food or other uses, suggesting a reverence for all living beings, including trees and plants, which have their own forms of spirit or consciousness.
• Spiritual Experience Over Intellectual Understanding: The ultimate truth is beyond mere intellectual grasp; it's about experiencing Divinity directly through practices like meditation, where one can connect with the subtle aspects of existence.
• Nature's Response to Human Actions: Anecdotal stories are shared to illustrate how nature, including trees, can react to human behavior, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world based on respect or lack thereof.
• Practical Application of Spiritual Insight: The talk concludes with a reminder of the need to integrate this understanding into daily life, promoting a worldview where one acknowledges and respects the divine in all aspects of existence.

The talk encourages listeners to delve deeper into these concepts through Swami Nirmalananda's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, advocating for a life aligned with these spiritual truths.

The thirty-seventh in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India's most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.

In this talk, starting with Chapter 7:01, Swamiji shares Krishna's teachings on how to know Him. He discusses the rarity of those who seek and find God. He also shares a story of a meeting with Swami Kriyananda, Yogananda's monastic disciple.

Here is a summary of the talk "Knowledge and Realization."

• Knowledge vs. Realization: Swamiji distinguishes between knowing something intellectually and realizing it experientially. True spiritual growth involves realizing or experiencing the knowledge, not just believing in it.
• The Ultimate Knowledge: The talk underscores that once one truly knows the Divine, nothing further remains to be known in this world. This knowledge is the purpose of the universe's manifestation.
• The Scarcity of Spiritual Seekers: He references Krishna's words from the Bhagavad Gita that among thousands, few strive for perfection, and among those striving, few truly understand or know God in truth. This highlights the rarity of genuine spiritual pursuit.
• Perseverance in Spiritual Practice: The narrative stresses the importance of persistence in spiritual practice, even when faced with adversity. The story of Swami Kriyananda (Donald Walters) serves as an example of spiritual heroism and dedication, showing how one should continue the path alone if necessary.
• Personal Commitment to Realization: The talk encourages a personal commitment to spiritual realization, advocating for an attitude of "I will be one in millions if I have to, but I will realize." This contrasts with the common human tendency to give up or lose interest.
• Spiritual Challenges and Isolation: Swami Nirmalananda discusses the loneliness and opposition one might face on the spiritual path, using the experience of Swami Kriyananda to illustrate how external forces can attempt to derail one's spiritual journey, yet one must continue steadfastly.
• The Role of a Yogi: A Yogi is described as someone who will pursue their spiritual goal regardless of external discouragement or isolation, symbolizing the ultimate form of spiritual dedication and courage.
• Beyond Intellectual Understanding: The talk dismisses the idea that spiritual knowledge is merely intellectual or academic. It's about a lived experience and a direct connection with God, which transcends conventional understanding.
• Encouragement for the Listener: The narrative serves as an encouragement for the audience to strive for that rare and profound realization, not to be deterred by the low number of those who achieve it, emphasizing personal integrity and determination.
• Cultural and Historical References: Various anecdotes and literary references (like the poem about Simple Simon) are used to relate spiritual lessons to everyday human experiences, highlighting the simplicity and yet profound nature of true spiritual endeavor.

The talk concludes with a call to true spiritual love and dedication, suggesting that real love transcends mortality and connects one with the Absolute.