37 results
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Article
Fear of what others will say can stop us from doing what we should. Why the Lord speaks to Arjuna in the language of duty and reputation, and how the very next verse loosens the grip of that fear.
Level: Simple English 5 min Duty, Honour and Fear
Article
Worry about tomorrow, money, loneliness: must you carry it all alone? The Lord's promise in Gita 9.22 and the condition that comes with it, in plain words, with one small practice for today.
Level: Simple English 5 min The Steadfast Devotee and Divine Care
Article
Afraid that whatever goes wrong will be your doing? In the Gita the Lord tells Arjuna to be merely an instrument. A plain meaning, an example, what it is not, and one small practice for today.
Level: Simple English 6 min Merely an Instrument
Article
Sunday evening and your stomach is already tight over Monday's meeting, deadline or target. The Gita splits work pressure into three weights and gives a small handle for each, with a practice for tonight.
Level: Simple English 6 min Working Under Pressure
Article
When someone you love has died, the Gita does not ask you to stop missing them. It says the one who lived in the body is never lost (2.11, 2.13, 2.20, 2.22), and only the body and the shared life end.
Level: Simple English 6 min The Imperishable Self
Article
When a decision is too heavy to carry, Arjuna shows the first step: say plainly what is wrong, admit you do not know, and ask. A simple reading of Gita 1.28 to 2.10.
Level: Simple English 5 min Arjuna's Despondency
Article
You try hard, yet the same fear, temper or pride returns. Gita 7.14 says in plain words whose power this pull is, why crossing it alone is hard, and what taking refuge in the Lord really asks of you.
Level: Simple English 4 min The Illusory Energy and Surrender
Article
The Lord says the warriors are already slain and Arjuna is to be merely an instrument. Does that take away Arjuna's will? What the verses fix, what they leave to Arjuna, and what the Lord says at the end.
Level: In Depth English 5 min Merely an Instrument
Article
Why does the Lord, right after the teaching of the self, speak of duty, reputation and what people will say? Seven verses in order, where the argument stops, common misreadings, an example and three questions to carry.
Level: In Depth English 9 min Duty, Honour and Fear
Article
What do the great souls do in the Gita, and what does the Lord do for them? Verses 9.13-15 and 9.22 in order: undivided mind, glorifying, striving and bowing, the sacrifice of knowledge, and the promise to carry what they lack.
Level: In Depth English 11 min The Steadfast Devotee and Divine Care
Article
Why does willpower alone not end our confusion? Read Gita 7.14-15 in order: the illusory energy is the Lord's own power, what taking refuge asks of us, and why some people do not turn to Him.
Level: In Depth English 10 min The Illusory Energy and Surrender
Article
Where the Gita speaks to deadlines, targets and the fear of failing: three layers of work pressure, the handle the Gita gives for each, common misreadings, an example and a practice for one working day.
Level: In Depth English 12 min Working Under Pressure
Article
A verse-by-verse reading of Gita 2.11–30: what the Lord says the self is, why grief is aimed at the wrong thing, the second answer for the one who cannot accept the first, and what the teaching does not mean.
Level: In Depth English 12 min The Imperishable Self
Article
Why did the Lord tell Arjuna to be merely an instrument? Gita 11.31-35 in order: Arjuna's question, 'I am Time', the four named warriors, Arjuna's trembling, common misunderstandings, an example and a practice.
Level: In Depth English 14 min Merely an Instrument
Article
Gita 1.28 to 2.10 read in order: how Arjuna's body, feelings and reasons give way, what Lord Krishna says first, and the one verse (2.7) where he stops arguing and asks to be taught.
Level: In Depth English 13 min Arjuna's Despondency
Article
A close reading of Gita 1.28 to 2.10: how Arjuna's body, feeling and reasons give way in turn, what Lord Krishna's first words answer, and why his last move is a request.
Level: Deeper English 18 min Arjuna's Despondency
Article
Is 'be merely an instrument' a command to kill, a statement of fate, or something else? A close reading of Gita 11.31-35, the idea of the instrument across the Gita, two streams of commentators, and objections answered.
Level: Deeper English 18 min Merely an Instrument
Article
After teaching the imperishable self, the Lord speaks to Arjuna in the language of duty, reputation and what others will say. A verse-by-verse reading of 2.31-37, the real difficulties, two streams of commentary, and why it is not a general case for war.
Level: Deeper English 12 min Duty, Honour and Fear
Article
In Gita 9.22 the Lord says he carries what his devotees lack and keeps what they have. To whom is this promised, and how does it fit effort and verse 2.45? A close reading of 9.13-15 and 9.22 with four hard questions.
Level: Deeper English 13 min The Steadfast Devotee and Divine Care
Article
'Already slain', 'your nature will drive you' and 'mounted on a machine': do these verses take Arjuna's choice away? Each hard verse in its place, two streams of readers, objections with replies, and answers from the Gita and the tradition.
Level: Deeper English 9 min Merely an Instrument
Article
A close reading of Gita 7.14-15. If the illusory energy is the Lord's own power, how can people be blamed? How refuge and effort fit, five hard questions answered, two streams of commentary, and answers from the Gita and the tradition to the questions left over.
Level: Deeper English 14 min The Illusory Energy and Surrender
Article
A close reading of Gita 2.11–30: the different reasons the Lord gives for not grieving, what each assumes, how an all-pervading self can change bodies, why the verses do not license harm, and what the rest of the Gita and the tradition add.
Level: Deeper English 14 min The Imperishable Self
Article
A close reading of the Gita verses that speak to work pressure: what the right to action covers, why the fruit is given up, what mental fever means, and how skill and evenness fit, with objections answered.
Level: Deeper English 14 min Working Under Pressure
Quick summary
Why does the Gita begin with its hero breaking down? Arjuna's body gives way, he lets go of his bow, then he turns to Krishna as a disciple seeking refuge, and the teaching begins from there.
English 11 min Arjuna's Despondency
Quick summary
After the teaching of the self, the Lord speaks to Arjuna in the language of duty, honour and the fear of disgrace. A short revision of Gita 2.31-37: the seven verses, how far the argument goes, and the turn to an even mind in the next verse.
English 7 min Duty, Honour and Fear
Quick summary
In fear at the cosmic form, Arjuna asks who the terrible form is. The Lord says 'I am Time' and 'be merely an instrument'. A short revision of Gita 11.31-35: the verses, their meaning and Arjuna's trembling reply.
English 10 min Merely an Instrument
Quick summary
Why do we repeat the same mistake even when we know better? In Gita 7.14-15 the Lord tells that the energy that pulls the mind is His own, that the way across is surrender, and why some do not come to that way.
English 8 min The Illusory Energy and Surrender
Quick summary
When someone dear has gone, or we fear losing them, what is it that is really lost? In Gita 2.11 to 2.30 the Lord answers this, and does not call love or tears wrong.
English 7 min The Imperishable Self
Quick summary
Gita 9.13-15 and 9.22 tell how great souls worship the Lord with an undivided mind, and how the Lord Himself carries their yogakshema, that is, brings what is lacking and keeps what they have.
English 8 min The Steadfast Devotee and Divine Care
Quick summary
The pressure of meetings, deadlines and targets is seen by the Gita in three layers: the real demand of the work, fear of the result and inner panic. See how work goes well by loosening the grip on the fruit and staying even.
English 13 min Working Under Pressure
Hub
Arjuna's body gives way, his reasons pull both ways, and he throws down his bow. Then he says he does not know, and asks Lord Krishna to teach him. The turn that begins the Gita.
Hub
After the teaching of the imperishable self, the Lord speaks to Arjuna in the language of duty, reputation and fear of disgrace. Gita 2.31-37: seven verses, how far the appeal goes, and the turn to an even mind in the next verse.
Hub
In the fear of the universal form Arjuna asks who the fierce figure is. The Lord says 'I am Time' and 'be merely an instrument'. Gita 11.31-35: the verses, their meaning and Arjuna's trembling answer.
Hub
Why do we repeat what we already know is wrong? In Gita 7.14-15 the Lord says the pull on the mind is his own power, that refuge is the way across, and why some people do not take that way.
Hub
What the Lord first teaches Arjuna in his grief: who lives in the body, what can and cannot be lost, why grief assumes too much, and the second answer for the one who cannot accept the first.
Hub
In Gita 9.13-15 and 9.22 the great souls worship the Lord with an undivided mind, and he carries what they lack and preserves what they have: the care the tradition calls yogakshema.
Hub
A heavy week at work feels like one lump of dread. The Gita pulls it into three parts, the work, the fear and the panic, and gives a handle for each. Start here for readings at three depths.