Bhagavad Gita for modern spiritual seekers

The teaching of Yoga is a science par excellence for a radical inner transformation of a searcher who is called to undertake the relevant practices with the ultimate aim of finding one's unity with the mysterious ONE that has created the entire cosmos.  We will focus on the heart and purpose of yoga as expressed in the classic text the Bhagavad Gita.

The God incarnate Krishna  in the Bhagavad Gita says that no action can be right unless the actor is right; and that in order to be the right actor and fulfill his responsibility (dharma), a searcher must practice the discipline of yoga. 

But the discipline of yoga cannot be practiced without engaging in yajña (sacrifice). We will explore what is the right actor according to Krishna and the various forms of yoga taught by him.  The main yoga that Krishna teaches in the Bhagavad Gita is buddhi yoga, the yoga of awareness. Awareness is the mechanism of transformation, and gradually a searcher moves from reaction to response, from loving Krishna to being loved by Krishna and becoming an instrument of Krishna's will.

Ravi Ravindra, originally trained as a scientist, is an extremely learned man in the fields of Eastern and Western spirituality. He has written several books on the subject - some of which will be available for purchase at the seminar.

For years Ravi has traveled the globe to educate his audiences about the need for spiritual transformation. He is a clear, humorous speaker who speaks with a voice full of compassion and hope. His own search has led him to important figures such as Jiddu Krishnamurti, the teachings of Gurdjieff, and others.

"Whenever I meet Ravi Ravindra I am reminded of Krishnamurti .... Having known Ravindra for a long time I admire his honest spiritual quest. He is indeed a true sadhaka, a rare and true sanyasi. Enjoy his spiritual journey. He not only practices yoga but communicates it so well. Now he has clearly and admirably presented the yoga sutras. It will raise many questions for thoughtful readers. Highly recommended. (TKV DESIKACHAR)

He is the author of numerous books, including Science and the Sacred, The Yoga of the Christ, The Wisdom of Patañjali's Yoga Sutras, and The Bhagavd Gita: A Guide to Navigating the Battle of Life.  For more information, visit his website at www.ravindra.ca.

Suggested schedule:

09:30 – 10:00 Meditation

10:00 –11:15 The Bhagavad Gita and Buddhi Yoga as the main yoga.

11:15 – 11:30 Bio break

11:30 –12:30 Other Yogas in the Bhagavad Gita

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00 The meaning of Bhagavad Gita for modern seekers

15:00 – 15:30 Discussion of some topics in small groups of six or seven people

15:30 – 16:00 Closing remarks, questions and sharing

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Location: YogaTopia, Geissbüelstrasse 21, 8704 Herrliberg

Time: 09:30 – 16:00 (lunch break 12:30 – 13.30)

Price: Fr. 150.

Course language: English with translation where necessary