Introduction 

Yatra comes from Ya which means “to go” – the mind being moved, not the body. Any yatra has a high impact when it is uncomfortable. 

Re-orienting ourselves to these virtues:

1. Vairagya (independence) 
2. Viveka (prioritization)  
3. Dama (calmness of body) – When our body is calm, then we can direct our senses. If we don’t know what our body is doing, it is not calm. The best way to keep it calm is by exercising. The sign that you are exercising is you feel at ease in your own skin, because then you are disidentifying yourself from your body.
4. Shama (quietness of mind)

Communal Reflection question: How can we be less affected by society’s definition of beauty?

Shared Reflection summary:

1. Appreciating what we have 
2. Accept things as is and don’t give too much meaning to society’s definition 
3. Make peace your passion and be independent of what society is forcing on you 

Question 1:

How do I reconcile the need for closure with accepting Bhagavan?

Vivekji’s Response:

The need for closure in relationships is pointless – conflict is the nature of creation. You can encourage but not force closure in conflict. You decide when something is closed.

The need to be with Bhagavan is the closure we need. Shift your effort from creation to consciousness. Let go of finding closure in the world and direct that effort to finding closure with Bhagavan. 

Question 2:

What is love? When actions are born out of duty or obligation, are they any less than actions that come out of love?

Vivekji’s Response

Society’s definition of love is extreme attention. A love that doesn’t grow is not love. Vedanta’s teaching is to identify with more – society, humanity, Divinity. When you identify with all, you transcend love. 

If you love Bhagavan, you will love your responsibilities. If you love the ends, you will love the means. This way we can make everything more meaningful and joyful. 

Question 3: 

When you are able to feel emotions but are not bound by them, is it because you are not fully engaged with your environment? Is it lack of care?

Vivekji’s Response:

When you are tuned into the higher, all that is lower has a lesser effect (or no effect) on you. When you are pushed by a one year old, you don’t move because you are bigger than that one year old’s actions. 

For one who is wise, their level of compassion is bigger than worldly love. A guru who truly cares for their disciple will not tolerate indiscipline. So a wise person can help another without being affected by it. 

Question 4:

Stepping deeper (rather than stepping back) is the right way to respond when overwhelmed with responsibilities. How do you step deeper without stepping back? 

Vivekji’s Response:

Stepping back is temporary. If you do not know how to swim, you cannot rescue someone who is drowning, instead you should find someone who can help. Stepping back is a beginner’s strategy – it is easy, it is comfortable, but we should not stay there. 

Context does not matter. Stay where it is hard and look deeper. Infuse more inquiry into what you do. As you become more dedicated, you simply do everything for Divinity more. 

Question 5:

What is the difference between self-absorbed, selfish, and selfless acts?

When we move from worker to organizer to thinker to leader, how should our thinking change?

Vivekji’s Response: 

The tamasic sentiment is self-absorbed (harming yourself and others), rajasic is selfish (harming myself but not others), sattvic is selfless (helping myself and others). So, if your actions are to help yourself so you can help others, that is sattvic (e.g. exercising). Be honest with yourself. 

The sun’s rays are not as hot as the sun. Just because you are doing something does not mean you are feeling it inside. The guna and the karma can be different. Evolution has nothing to do with karma. If you are a housewife but do it with bhava, then you are closer to enlightenment than someone who is running a spiritual organization but does it for position, possession, power.

Reflection Assignment

Last week: What are 3 “yes”s and “no’s you bring into your life? 

Lowest priority is home responsibility, preparing for class takes precedence over that. 

This week: Watch the documentary: Matter of Time