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Authors: Jack Hawley
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its ordinary form is binding, when converted into worship (devotion) it is liberating. To be devotional is the sacred plan of nature.
33 “Offering up knowledge (spiritual knowledge of True Self, and so forth) as a sacrifice is better than any material offering. The goal of all your work, all actions, is not to multiply your possessions beyond proportions (which only makes you earthbound), but to bring you to spiritual wisdom (jnana), intuitive knowledge of the True Self Within. You are alive solely to become enlightened and united with God.
34 “Another good attitude that aids the development of spiritual knowledge is to wholeheartedly revere someone who has genuinely achieved it. When one sincerely strives for spiritual enlightenment, Divinity in some way puts one in contact with an enlightened teacher. Sincerely question that teacher. As a burning candle can light many others, an illumined soul can bring light to many a competent inquirer.
35 “Arjuna, once you gain spiritual wisdom you will never again be deluded or confused. You will see all of creation in your True Self, and in Me.”
The Power of Self-Knowing
36 “Spiritual knowledge (jnana) does what nothing else can do. Even the foulest of misguided persons can sail across the treacherous river of sin on the raft of this special knowledge.
37 “Like a blazing fire, knowledge of True Self Within reduces all three karmas to ashes: distant-future karma, near-future karma, and current karma (prarabdha), which is the karma that is presently working itself out. This Atmic knowledge destroys the first two karmas and renders the third type ineffective even as it operates.
38 “In all the world, nothing purifies like spiritual knowledge (knowing the Self). But it takes searching inquiries into the nature of the Real and not-Real, and giving one’s mind wholly to it. In due time one comes to know these things in one’s heart.
39 “Hold spiritual wisdom as your highest goal, Arjuna. Make your faith deep. Restrain your senses. Then you will arrive at this wisdom quickly and achieve the perfect peace of Divinity.
40 “The ignorant (uninformed about Atma and without faith) waste their lives. Through their disbelief they alienate themselves from the Self and thus from true unity with others. As miserable people, they cannot be happy either in this world or any world beyond.
41 “People who really know Divinity, who have renounced attachment to the fruits of their work by offering it to the Divine, who have used the sword of knowledge to cut to pieces their doubts regarding the truth of their Atma — no bonds can hold these people. Though they are ever occupied with action, karma cannot taint them.
42 “O Prince, your ignorance of your True SelfWithin is the cause of your present reluctance to act, just as the opposite of ignorance, Self-knowledge, would bring fearless action. So with the sword of wisdom sever the doubts in your heart. Arise, O best of men, take your stand. Be a warrior!”
CHAPTER 5
CONTEMPLATING THE GOAL
( Sanyasa Yoga )
“Knowing this, you come to the place where all paths meet, and you achieve lasting peace of mind.”
1 Arjuna blurts out: “I’ve been listening carefully Krishna, but one moment you recommend the path of knowledge or contemplation (a sort of sanyasa yoga), and the next moment, the path of desireless action (karma yoga). These seem to conflict. Which one is definitely better for me?”
2 Krishna replies, “Both paths lead to the same goal, which is liberation (moksha). But karma yoga, the action path, is better for you, Arjuna, and for most people. Many spiritual seekers assume they should withdraw like a sanyasi (renunciate), and they may for a time be blessed with tranquillity, but most often it is merely the ego masquerading as quietism.
3 “The person of selfless action ( karma-yogi ) who feels neither desire nor aversion and does not yearn
33 “Offering up knowledge (spiritual knowledge of True Self, and so forth) as a sacrifice is better than any material offering. The goal of all your work, all actions, is not to multiply your possessions beyond proportions (which only makes you earthbound), but to bring you to spiritual wisdom (jnana), intuitive knowledge of the True Self Within. You are alive solely to become enlightened and united with God.
34 “Another good attitude that aids the development of spiritual knowledge is to wholeheartedly revere someone who has genuinely achieved it. When one sincerely strives for spiritual enlightenment, Divinity in some way puts one in contact with an enlightened teacher. Sincerely question that teacher. As a burning candle can light many others, an illumined soul can bring light to many a competent inquirer.
35 “Arjuna, once you gain spiritual wisdom you will never again be deluded or confused. You will see all of creation in your True Self, and in Me.”
The Power of Self-Knowing
36 “Spiritual knowledge (jnana) does what nothing else can do. Even the foulest of misguided persons can sail across the treacherous river of sin on the raft of this special knowledge.
37 “Like a blazing fire, knowledge of True Self Within reduces all three karmas to ashes: distant-future karma, near-future karma, and current karma (prarabdha), which is the karma that is presently working itself out. This Atmic knowledge destroys the first two karmas and renders the third type ineffective even as it operates.
38 “In all the world, nothing purifies like spiritual knowledge (knowing the Self). But it takes searching inquiries into the nature of the Real and not-Real, and giving one’s mind wholly to it. In due time one comes to know these things in one’s heart.
39 “Hold spiritual wisdom as your highest goal, Arjuna. Make your faith deep. Restrain your senses. Then you will arrive at this wisdom quickly and achieve the perfect peace of Divinity.
40 “The ignorant (uninformed about Atma and without faith) waste their lives. Through their disbelief they alienate themselves from the Self and thus from true unity with others. As miserable people, they cannot be happy either in this world or any world beyond.
41 “People who really know Divinity, who have renounced attachment to the fruits of their work by offering it to the Divine, who have used the sword of knowledge to cut to pieces their doubts regarding the truth of their Atma — no bonds can hold these people. Though they are ever occupied with action, karma cannot taint them.
42 “O Prince, your ignorance of your True SelfWithin is the cause of your present reluctance to act, just as the opposite of ignorance, Self-knowledge, would bring fearless action. So with the sword of wisdom sever the doubts in your heart. Arise, O best of men, take your stand. Be a warrior!”
CHAPTER 5
CONTEMPLATING THE GOAL
( Sanyasa Yoga )
“Knowing this, you come to the place where all paths meet, and you achieve lasting peace of mind.”
1 Arjuna blurts out: “I’ve been listening carefully Krishna, but one moment you recommend the path of knowledge or contemplation (a sort of sanyasa yoga), and the next moment, the path of desireless action (karma yoga). These seem to conflict. Which one is definitely better for me?”
2 Krishna replies, “Both paths lead to the same goal, which is liberation (moksha). But karma yoga, the action path, is better for you, Arjuna, and for most people. Many spiritual seekers assume they should withdraw like a sanyasi (renunciate), and they may for a time be blessed with tranquillity, but most often it is merely the ego masquerading as quietism.
3 “The person of selfless action ( karma-yogi ) who feels neither desire nor aversion and does not yearn
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