The tenth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India’s most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.
In this talk, starting with Chapter 3:13, Swamiji discusses a wide range of topics, including “Eating” through the senses, how to make our lives more spiritual, and our lives as examples to others.
Here are the Gita verses (3:13–3:20) covered in this talk:
The good who eat the sacrificial remains are freed from all evils. The wicked eat their own evil who cook food only for themselves. (3:13)
From food all beings are produced, and from rain all food is produced. From sacrifice there comes down rain. From action is born sacrifice. (3:14)
Understand that action arises from Brahma, Brahma arises from the Imperishable. Hence the all-pervading Brahma is eternally established in sacrifice. (3:15)
He who here on the earth turns not the wheel thus set in motion, lives full of sense delights, maliciously and uselessly. (3:16)
He who is content only in the Self, who is satisfied in the Self, who is pleased only in the Self: for him there is no need to act. (3:17)
He has no purpose at all in action or in non-action, and he has no need of anyone for any purpose whatsoever. (3:18)
Therefore, constantly unattached perform that which is your duty. Indeed by unattached action man attains the Supreme. (3:19)
Indeed, perfection was attained through action alone by King Janaka and others. For the maintenance of the world, as an example you should act. (3:20)
Here are the main points from this talk on Living for Spiritual Evolution from the Bhagavad Gita:
- Everything as Food: All experiences, whether through sight, sound, touch, or taste, are forms of food that shape our consciousness. These should be approached with the intent of spiritual growth.
- Spiritualizing Consumption: Consuming or experiencing things with an attitude of offering to the divine (like prasad in Hindu rituals) transforms the mundane into the spiritual, purifying the mind and body.
- Sin in Eating: Eating or living for mere physical gratification without spiritual intent is considered sinful or wasted.
- Ritual and Scriptures: The rituals and teachings of sacred scriptures, like the Vedas, are meant to facilitate spiritual evolution, guiding one towards union with the divine.
- Duty Without Attachment: One should perform their duty (karma) without attachment to the outcomes, which leads to the realization of ultimate truth. This non-attachment is crucial for spiritual progress.
- Example of Janaka: King Janaka is cited as an ideal, who ruled his kingdom while being an enlightened yogi, showing that one can live in the world and still pursue spiritual enlightenment.
- Setting an Example: Living one’s duty properly serves as an example to others, promoting dharma (righteous living). This is how one influences the world positively.
- Life as Teaching: Your life should reflect your spiritual principles, teaching others through action rather than just words.
- Spiritual Growth through Action: Everyday actions, when performed with the right consciousness, can transform ordinary life into a spiritual practice, effectively turning “earth into heaven.”
- Continual Self-Assessment: One must continually assess their spiritual progress not by mystical experiences but by changes in consciousness and behavior.
Swami Nirmalananda Giri emphasizes the importance of living with a spiritual purpose, transforming daily activities into acts of worship or meditation, and thereby evolving one’s consciousness towards enlightenment.
