Bhagavad Gita quote

[prujoy3]

Hi again,

These verses fr the Bhagavad Gita have been floating thru my mind a few times so I thought I would go get the book & get it right:

Fr Ch. 6, Religion by Self Restraint (Sir Edwin Arnold's translation)

"... He is the Yogi, he is Yukta, glad
With joy of light & truth - dwelling apart
Upon a peak, with senses subjugate
Whereto the clod, the rock, the glistering gold
Show all as one. By this sign he is known
Being of equal grace to comrades, friends,
Chance-comers, strangers, lovers, enemies,
Aliens & kinsmen - loving all alike,
Evil or good.Sequestered should he sit,
Steadfastly meditating, solitary,
His thoughts controlled, his passions laid away,
Quit of belongings. In a fair, still spot
Having his fixed abode - not too much raised.
Nor yet too low - let him abide, his goods
A cloth, a deerskin, & the Kusa-grass.
There, setting hard his mind upon The One,
Restraining his heart & senses, silent, calm,
Let him accomplish Yoga, and achieve
Pureness of soul, holding immovable
Body & neck & head, his gaze absorbed
Upon his nose-end, rapt from all around,
Tranquil in spirit, free of fear, intent
upon his Brahmacarya vow, devout,
Musing on me, lost in the thought of Me.
That Yogin, so devoted, so controlled,
Comes to the peace beyond - My peace, the peace
Of high Nirvana!"

[prujoy3]

Ah, thanks for that quote fr Maharishi's "view" of the Bhagavad Gita.

I had only last night just found info regarding his commentary & I will definitely be purchasing it a.s.a.p.

[prujoy3]

While searching for a copy of Maharishi's Gita I also came across another book by himself called "Science of Being & Art of Living" - what do you think Gavin? - could this also be of assistance, or at least illumination, to living with CMR

[Gavin Hoole]

Pru, in The Science of Being and Art of Living by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi he deals very thoroughly with life and living, and it is actually from Maharishi that the expression "The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness" comes.

The book is totally compatible with the process of Conscious Mental Rest and is worth owning. It deals with the principles of transcendence a lot, and why Transcendental meditation is so valuable.

The main differences between TM and CMR are that TM uses a mantra that comes from the Vedic tradition, whereas CMR does not use a mantra at all and is not based on Eastern philosophy. This makes CMR suitable for everyone, including people with reservations related to their personal beliefs.

If you are open to exploring truth no matter where it comes from, then the two books you mention will make excellent companions. Maharishi's translation of the Gita includes his interpretative commentary for every verse. Each commentary is anything from one paragraph to a couple of pages or more. So it explains the Gita text in quite some detail. Ultimately, we feel inside ourselves what rings true for us.

Likewise, The Science of Being and Art of Living is thorough in its explanations of Being and Living. Its approach is from Maharishi's scientific and logical background, not wrapped in devotional terms. In places it needs to be read slowly and even re-read.

I think one would gain more from both books if one is already experiencing subtler levels of consciousness, as in TM, NSR or CMR - which you are indeed havng

So, I would say that these two books have popped into your awareness quite effortlessly and that it would be a good time to buy them. Books assist us to know what we already know, or to defer or reject what we feel is not our own truth at this time. And both of these books can do a good job in that regard

[prujoy3]

Yes, I have just ordered a copy of the Maharishi's Gita from Amazon U.S.A. It only cost $3.50 Aus plus $12 postage so I thought "Good Deal" because if I ordered the book fr TM Australia it would cost $45 posted to me! Of course, I will have to wait a couple of weeks before I receive it

I also have my eye on a copy of the "Science of Being, etc" on Amazon & I shall order that as soon as my budget & the value of the Aussie dollar , allows.

I have a few different translations of the Bhagavad Gita now - the Hare Krishna version by Srila Prahbupad, Sir Edwin Arnolds translation & Paramahansa Yoganandas version too. What can I say - it is an astoundingly powerful story that never ceases to reveal itself to the reader.

I really look forward to reading the Maharishi's especially in light of also now practicing one of Krishna's key recommendations as found in CMR.

PJ

[prujoy3]

I received my copy of the Maharishi's Gita yesterday - that was super fast - all the way fr the U.S.A.!

However, it's condition was definitely not as described - it said it was in almost "new" condition whereas I find that it is actually in "very well thumbed" condition - ha ha! But the price was very reasonable so I can't complain.

I started reading the introduction last night & suffice to say Maharishi presents a most refreshing "view" of the history of "views" of the Bhagavad Gita. And I really look forward to reading more,

PJ

[prujoy3]

Oh, I just noticed that there is an ad for "Krishna Consciousness" at the top of this page now - that would be due to the use of the words "Bhagavad Gita".

And, as I was only just thinking yesterday, I did try chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, etc, etc" with objective earnestness BUT it altered my consciousness not one jot (well, not as per observable results in my everyday interactions & health, etc, as per CMR).

Maharishi does explain the reason for this loss of effect, by misunderstanding of the teachings of the Gita in the introduction that I read last night - hence why I was impressed by it.

PJ

[rickyreiki]

I can't help but to think of how relevant the books, "The Science of Being and Art of Living, " and "The Bhagavad Gita", by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi can be so relevant to CMR when to books refer to TM. After all these books are based on the TM technique and not that of CMR. In order for the information in these books to be relevant to CMR this would have to mean that CMR is just as effective as TM or close enough to TM so that the principles contained within these books apply equally as well to CMR as they do to TM.

Could someone clarify this for me. I am interested in knowing just how relevant those books are to CMR and if there is some indication as to why this is so.

By the way I have both books. I have had them for several years now and they are both excellent books. I would recommend them to anyone, especially the book, "The Science of Being and Art of Living".

Rick

[prujoy3]

Hi Rick

That is so true - I bought "Science of Being & Art of Living" only a couple of months ago & it definitely is an "enhancement" to my experience of CMR - in fact, I am continually impressed by Maharishi's viewpoint on "truth" - it is so refreshing - I try to read a few page per day.

I also have Maharishi's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita & what can I say - the Gita speaks for itself - but it is especially illuminating as per maharishi's view - it is sort of "unwinding" itself before my eyes ...

PJ3

[Gavin Hoole]

Thank you Rick and prujoy3 for your thoughtful posts. There's almost nothing to add, but I will offer a couple of comments anyway.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's book, The Science of Being and Art of Living, is about the state of 'being', and how the regular experience of 'being' - as distinct from 'thinking' - is beneficial to all aspects of one's life and the art of living.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is the meditation technique that Maharishi offered for gaining the experience of pure consciousness ('being') on a daily basis. It involves using a mantra - a sound taken from the Vedic tradition of India - in a particular manner as a 'vehicle' to take the mind to that quiet state. And it is based on the natural tendency of the mind, not on coercing, forcing or controlling the mind. This makes it different from many of the traditional eastern meditation techniques.

Conscious Mental Rest (CMR) also does not make use of coercing, forcing or controlling of the mind. But it does not involve the use of a mantra either.

The principles given in the book relate to the nature of life itself, and how the regular experience of a deep-rested mind will allow stresses to be cleared so that more of one's inner resources come to be lived in daily life. The effect of this is an overall better quality of life, better health and more happiness.

In that regard, the book has relevance to CMR, even though the TM technique is not the same as the method known as Conscious Mental Rest.

Regarding the Bhagavad-Gita, Maharishi's commentary on the first six chapters of the 'Gita' contain some insightful perspectives on life as it pertains to one who is wishing to consciously pursue a spiritual life and gain enlightenment.

The aim of CMR is to enhance one's overall quality of life. Some may well feel that CMR is an effective means for moving towards enlightenment. Others simply want to reduce stress and experience more happiness and peace in their life now, or as soon as possible.

It matters not what one's motives are. The thing is, CMR helps one to move 'forward', towards the state I refer to as Self-Alignment.

Life's a journey; an experience. And we can only experience life in the present moment. So if one is setting his or her sights on some future state of enlightenment, it could be a very long journey, one in which the joys of every present moment are overlooked. Moreover, it can result in disappointment, frustration and disillusionment -- like trying to reach the end of a rainbow. It keeps moving further away. Life is for living now.

[prujoy3]

Beautifully said Gavin esp. this last bit:

Life's a journey; an experience. And we can only experience life in the present moment. So if one is setting his or her sights on some future state of enlightenment, it could be a very long journey, one in which the joys of every present moment are overlooked. Moreover, it can result in disappointment, frustration and disillusionment -- like trying to reach the end of a rainbow. It keeps moving further away. Life is for living now.



Thanks so much for that & it kinda goes with this quote of Maharishi's that I found yesterday (to send in a birthday greeting to my sister) & was about to post here too:

"Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower, and draws all good things toward you. Allow your love to nourish yourself as well as others. Do not strain after the needs of life. It is sufficient to be quietly alert and aware of them. In this way life proceeds more naturally and effortlessly. Life is here to Enjoy!"

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Pru

[prujoy3]

Another quote fr Maharishi's commentary on the Gita that I read just now & wished to share with you:

Ch.2, verse 41 ~

In this Yoga, O joy of the Kurus
the resolute intellect is one-pointed,
but many-branched and endlessly diverse
are the intellects of the irresolute.



PJ