#bhagavad gita 14th chapter

[mplanetleaf]

భగవద్గీత Chapter 14 గుణత్రయ విభాగ యోగము Learn Bhagavadgita Facts Hive

[ionfusionpunk]

Sith, Grey Jedi, and Jedi: What They Teach Us About the Force pt 3

All right. We have rather exhaustively examined the black-and-white beliefs of more well-known factions within the Star Wars universe. They are not, however, the only factions. We hear of the Guardians of the Whills, people who guard the Temple of Kyber on the planet Jedha. Besides being guardians, they are also scholars of the Force; they even have their own sort of Code, though I will not go into that. There are also several factions of Dark practitioners - most notably the Nightsisters of the planet Dathomir. And in between them all are the Grey Jedi.  

As I mentioned in the very beginning, the definition for ‘Grey Jedi’ varies on the individual, the era, and the practices of the time. Very broadly, a Grey Jedi is an individual who does not believe in a Light and Dark; to them, there is only the Force, and it is the intent of the individual that determines whether the action is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ - not what side the Force user may have drawn from (because there are no sides). Each Grey Jedi has essentially adopted their own Code - their own moral compass - to guide them, and as such there are several Grey Jedi Codes. For the sake of my own patience and sanity, I only chose the five which vary most in possible interpretation. The shortest of the examples I have chosen is also, somewhat ironically, the closest in structure to the Sith Code, so I would like to start there. 

There is no light without the dark. 

Through passion, I gain focus. 

Through knowledge, I gain power. 

Through serenity, I gain strength. 

Through victory, I gain harmony.  

There is only the Force. 

 This particular variation seems to strike a rather balanced dichotomy between the Sith and Jedi Codes.  

“There is no light without the dark.” This seems to be very straight forward and even obvious. Light creates shadows, and the brighter the light, the darker the shadows. In the Dhammapada, the text Buddhism is based upon, there is a concept that may give us further insight. It is first important to understand, however, that in Buddhism, their very first belief - given, in fact, in the first verse - is that all that we are is made of all that we have thought. The second verse of the first chapter, the title of which is translated aptly as (The) Pairs, boils down to: if you think “pure” thoughts, happiness will follow you like a shadow. In other words, to think only of the Light will make you of the Light, and your happiness will forever be out of reach. From this we devise that the Jedi, as focused on the Light as they are, might find fulfillment in their work but never true happiness. In the black-and-white morals the Sith and Jedi often perceive the universe to be made of, ‘happiness’ is the carnal pleasures, the love, the simple worldly joys found in everyday life - the pleasure and joys the monastic Jedi eschew; these joys are their shadows, the things they leave behind but that haunt them even without their knowing as they strive to look only forward towards the Light. The Sith, on the other hand, thrive in that shadow but by their very nature twist the simplistic and perhaps innocent joys into darker wraiths, contorting and distorting that which the Jedi leave behind. What the Sith have is not happiness but lust and greed, sloth and envy, wrath and gluttony and hubris - the shadows of the shadows, the weapons of their own destruction.  

“Through passion, I gain focus.” Instead of using your passion to propel you forward, you use your passion to help you stay on your chosen path. Your passion, logically, guides you. For example, if your chosen passion is art, then you would not be able to helpfully apply that passion to, say, a job as a data analyst. 

“Through knowledge, I gain power.” Understanding of the situation, of the circumstances, of yourself, give you power over those things. Knowledge is power, essentially, and a Grey Jedi uses this to their advantage. Instead of viewing knowledge as enlightenment, the Grey Jedi see knowledge as a vital tool in their journey whatever it may be.  

“Through serenity, I gain strength.” The danger with drawing strength from passion as the Sith do is this: passion is strong; if left unchecked, if unguided by the knowledge to utilize it as a magnifying glass focuses sunlight, passion can overpower reason. We see this with Anakin Skywalker himself in Revenge of the Sith. His passion in regard to Padme - his need to protect her, his love for her - overwhelms him when Sidious exploits the fears attached to those passions, and it results in Anakin basically going insane. He allowed his stronger emotions - not his lesser loyalty to the Order, not his platonic love for Obi-Wan as a teacher and brother - to control him, and thus is the Fall of a Jedi and the Rise of a Sith. A Grey Jedi, however, draws their strength from their serenity - the serenity that allows them to step back and review the situation, that keeps them from falling prey to their darker emotions and desires, that allows them to control themselves. The Grey Jedi accept that Darkness exists only inasmuch as their Light creates it; they counteract this by finding a way to balance themselves between the two, of welcoming emotion, of harnessing their passions, of using their knowledge, while refusing to allow their emotions to weaken their defenses, their passions to control them, and their knowledge of becoming a poisonous pride. This is demonstrated in “The Art of Happiness,” a book written by the 14th Dalai Lama, which is about ‘divorcing’ yourself from the hate and the anger - the darker emotions - so that they do not become a part of you; this is a HUGE concept in Buddhism.  

“Through victory, I gain harmony.” Now, this Code does not explicitly state what they are gaining a victory over, but if we continue in the vein that the philosophies of the Grey Jedi follow more closely those found in the Dhammapada as opposed to those found in the Bhagavad Gita, then we can look to Buddhism, where control of the self is crucial. This means, then, that the Grey Jedi seek victory over themselves so that a balance might be struck within themselves. If we are the result of what we think, then harmony within ourselves will result in harmony around us. The Dhammapada likewise teaches that all things must be in moderation so that our senses may be controlled, and that balance located.  

“There is only the Force.” This echoes the first tenet somewhat but emphasizes that there is no true ‘good’ or ‘bad’ except what we make of them ourselves. Where the Bhagavad Gita preaches dharma, the Dhammapada teaches us that, as Qui-Gon Jinn - considered by many of the Jedi Order of the time to be somewhat of a Grey Jedi - our focus determines our reality. Albert Einstein expresses something remarkably similar when he says, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” The Force and only the Force is the truth, the end, and the beginning, and where they go in the meantime. Actually, we had a conversation about this in my Philosophy of Eastern Religions class. When asked what the truth is, our professor said that “Truth is a pathless land.” In all ways this is true. If the Force is the truth, then being an impartial non-entity, it has no direction. The point of all this is that it is up to us to determine what we believe, what our truth is, and what path we take in this friendless wilderness.  

And the Grey Jedi embody this. By walking their own paths, by each one choosing their own Code to follow, they are adhering to their beliefs as the Jedi and Sith never could. The Grey Jedi do not deny the existence of the darkness within themselves - but technically neither do the Jedi. However, instead of allowing that darkness to control them like the Sith or entirely leaving the darkness behind like the Jedi, they accept that darkness as a part of themselves and all living things. In Buddhism there is something known as the Four Noble Truths - the basis of Buddhism, in fact. The First Truth is that all life is suffering. The Second Truth is that this suffering comes from selfishness. The Third Truth is that this selfishness can be overcome. And the Fourth Truth is that only through the Eightfold Path can that selfishness be overcome. The Eightfold Path can be broken down to: Right view; right intention; right speech; right action; right livelihood; right effort; right mindfulness; and right concentration. As discussed, however, “Truth is a pathless land.” We forge our own paths, so the Fourth Truth essentially says that as long as we follow the path of our own making while still attempting to just be decent people, we will be okay. 

There is so much that can be gleaned from these comparisons. The Sith view the Force as a tool and starting point and are, by their very nature, more susceptible to losing control of their own passions even as their Code reflects the natural state of humanity. The Jedi view the Force as a deity and ultimate destination while their Code is an ideal for humanity to reach for. The Grey Jedi view the Force as Truth, the name of whatever path they choose to walk on their way to self-mastery, and the one Code interpreted here strikes a pretty equilibrium between acknowledging the darkness of humanity but also the hope of something better – and attainable.  The Jedi may be a monastic order, but their ideals are, frankly, ultimately unreachable at best and incomprehensible at worst. The Sith are corrupted by themselves even if their Code seems logically attainable. Of the three factions, only the Grey Jedi manage to walk the path any mortal can, the path of compromise, of control, of peace; only the Grey Jedi walk a path where their Light does not create more Darkness and their Darkness does not swallow the Light. 

There is no true ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ here. Reality is what we make of it – what we make of ourselves. If we believe our emotions are our strengths, then we must be aware of how easily manipulated we will be. Should we follow the tenets of a faith that lauds a higher power and encourages self-sacrifice, we must be aware of the things we will be expected to leave in our wake. But as long as we choose to walk our own path, to know ourselves better than those that would control us or blind us with their faith intentionally or not, as long as our Truth resonates, then we will never have to give up enough of ourselves to compromise whatever peace we seek to obtain.

(Part One) (Part Two)

[tomasorban]

One Divine Essence in alchemy

According to esoteric philosophers from all times and climes, there are three basic principles to the One Divine Essence. The expression of these principles through human personality can be found in the 14th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita and are listed as sattvaguna, rajasguna, and tamasguna. Alchemists in their literature name these Mercury (or Argent Vive), Sulphur, and Salt respectively. Modern psychology labels these three principles super-consciousness (sattva, Mercury), self- consciousness (rajas, Sulphur), and sub-consciousness (tamas, Salt). All three are within and are contained by the all-pervading super-consciousness, the Qabalists' Ain Suph Aur (the One Divine Essence).

“While all is in THE ALL, it is equally true that THE ALL is in all. To him who truly understands this truth hath come great knowledge.”

      Nature, through the human sub-conscious (tamas or salt) mode of expression of the all-consciousness, slowly perfects all that is created toward 'gold', that is, back to its super-conscious source, AIN SUPh AUR. It must be remembered, though, that the power by which this is performed is itself super-conscious, working through the agency of sub-consciousness. The Latinper means 'through.' When self-consciousness (sulphur) deliberately and consciously cooperates with super-conscious (Argent Vive) expressions, everything is formed or engendered (begotten) all the more quickly through its otherwise meticulously slow and natural evolution. The study and practice of Alchemy hastens our evolution. Metals (the Eastern chakras, whose combined influences form human personality) may be “pure” or “impure,” demonstrating “unclean super-fluity and defect”because of the immature expressions of self-consciousness (sulphur) and erroneous perceptions or complete ignorance of super-consciousness (mercury, or Argent Vive). The pseudo, separative intellect that creates these erroneous perceptions is called “gross, unripe mercury” by alchemical authors. The Alchemical Art calls for the necessity of self-consciousness (sulphur) to cooperate with super-consciousness (mercury) for the “purity” of metals. When self-consciousness (sulphur) gravitates naturally to sub-conscious (salt) neuroses and negative habit-patterns, the combination then engenders “impurity” in metals (chakras). All the chakras contain the three principles. However, whether 'metals' express “pure or impure” energies depends entirely upon the co-operation of Argent Vive and Sulphur (super- and self-consciousness). The two combined “engender” the desired effects, or expressions, of 'metals.'

[kailasaslovenia]

In Chapter 11 of Bhagavad Gita under Viśvarūpa Darśan Yogaḥ, Sri Kṛṣṇa gives the direct revelation of the Divine through the Paranthama Vishwarupa Darshan, a Cosmic Window to Arjuna.

He gives the experience directly: ‘I am Everything.’ He gives the experience of the ultimate Universal consciousness and the realization that He is present in everything.

This coming Tuesday, 14th Dec is Bhagavad Gita Jayanthi, we have the same Cosmic Window available to us through the SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam!

Get ready for the experience of Paranthama Vishwarupa Darshan!!

Register here - https://tinyurl.com/SGAdheenamReg

#paranthamaVishwarupadarshan

#BhagavadGitaJayanthi

[kailasa-singapore]

In Chapter 11 of Bhagavad Gita under Viśvarūpa Darśan Yogaḥ, Sri Kṛṣṇa gives the direct revelation of the Divine through the Paranthama Vishwarupa #Darshan, a Cosmic Window to Arjuna. He gives the experience directly: ‘I am Everything.’ He gives the experience of the ultimate Universal consciousness and the realization that He is present in everything. This coming Tuesday, 14th Dec is #BhagavadGita Jayanthi, we have the same Cosmic Window available to us through the SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam! Get ready for the experience of Paranthama Vishwarupa Darshan!! Register here - https://ift.tt/39NWqUw @SriNithyananda #paranthamaVishwarupadarshan #BhagavadGitaJayanthi #Nithyananda — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/3ELZKNr

[nithyanandaannalaya]

Bhagatwat Gita’s insight on Food

"I BROUGHT THE BHAGAVAD GITA TO READ THE 14TH SHLOKA FROM THE 3RD CHAPTER FOR ALL OF YOU: अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भव: | यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञ: कर्मसमुद्भव: || 14|| annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ TRANSLATION: ALL LIVING BEINGS SUBSIST ON #FOOD, AND FOOD IS PRODUCED BY RAINS. RAINS COME FROM THE PERFORMANCE OF #SACRIFICE, AND SACRIFICE IS PRODUCED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF PRESCRIBED DUTIES. EVEN THE RAIN SHOULD BE BROUGHT WITH POWERFUL #POSITIVE #COGNITIONS SO THE FOOD ITSELF IS FILLED WITH POWERFUL #COGNITION. THEN IT BECOMES PURE FOOD AND GOES INTO YOU AND #MANIFESTS AS #POWERS." - SPH on 4th JANUARY 2020"

[globalpeacefoundationindia]

A Step Back To The Roots of Religions

Going Back to the Roots of Religions

 By Catherine C Nair

The first few thoughts that come to my mind when I think about religion are different places of worship, rituals, rights, beliefs and scriptures. Communities with concrete boundaries, holding strong sentiments for their beliefs with little scope of change, engaging in communal conflicts whenever they feel that their “ religion is under threat”, and communal harmony in the name of world peace are some of the important day to day elements we see about religion around us. Little do we go back to the roots to understand the fundamentals of each religion.

Bhagavad Gita 6.9: The yogis look upon all—well-wishers, friends, foes, the pious, and the sinners—with an impartial intellect. The yogi who is of equal intellect toward friend, companion, and foe, neutral among enemies and relatives, and impartial between the righteous and sinful, is considered to be distinguished among humans. (Gita, n.d.)

The following lines from Guru Granth Sahib explain about the importance of treating every person as an equal:

They look upon all with equality, and recognize the Supreme Soul,the Lord, pervading among all. Those who sing the Praises of the Lord, Har, Har, obtain the supreme status; they are the most exalted and acclaimed people. 

The God-conscious being is always unstained, like the sun,

which gives its comfort and warmth to all. The God-conscious being looks upon all alike, like the wind, which blows equally upon the king and the poor beggar (Sahib, n.d.)

In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty Says (what means):

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one  another. Indeed the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted" [Qur’an 49:13] 

The Bible (the Book of Mark, Chapter 12 verse 31) says:

“ Love your neighbor as yourself”

As the legacy of religions passed from one generation to another, we have  seen their true essence being tarnished by the spread of hate, religious superiority, manipulation of religious texts by religious leaders, and the blind and unquestionable faith of the believers. Extremism has led to a world of religious turmoil. The very “upholders of faith” are its “destroyers”, veiling the true message of love, peace and equality with their skewed interpretation, leading people to communalism and division.

We need to unveil the true message by going back to the text. Even though I feel the religious texts vary and present a conflicting image on some points of theology and philosophy, but the foundation has always been “love and equality”. As said by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, “Human rights are of universal interest because it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity and they have the right to achieve it.” Same is the core message of almost every religious belief that needs to be unshackled from the chains of discrimination and hatred.

References:

Gita, B. (n.d.). Bhagavad Gita chapter 6 verse 9. Retrieved from www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/6/verse/9

Sahib, S. G. (n.d.). Equality of Mankind. Retrieved from www.sikhiwiki.org: https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Equality_of_mankind