The forty-first 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 7:19, Swamiji discusses the types of people who seek God, and the subject of seeking refuge in God. He shares a story of Lahiri Mahasaya, and a saying of Yogananda.

Here is a summary of the talk "Seeking Refuge in God."

• Wisdom and Refuge: Krishna distinguishes between types of seekers, with the "jnani" or wise person being the highest. This individual seeks refuge in God as the ultimate truth, recognizing that all other refuges are temporary or illusory.
• The Nature of Seeking: The wise understand that the only genuine goal is union with the absolute. They don't seek for personal gain but for the truth that everything is "Vasudeva" (all-pervading divine presence).
• Various Desires vs. True Knowledge: People whose knowledge is "stolen" by desires turn to lesser deities or forms of worship, akin to how one might pray to saints for specific needs in Christianity. This reflects a misunderstanding or misplacement of spiritual focus.
• The Role of Gods in the Cosmic Order: Swami explains that gods in Hinduism, like Ganesh or Durga, serve specific functions within the cosmic hierarchy. They assist humans but under the overarching will of the supreme God.
• Religious Practices and Nature: Practices like fasting, pilgrimages, and offerings are seen as part of one's nature, leading eventually to higher understanding if done with the right intent and faith.
• God's Patience and Guidance: God is described as patiently waiting for humans to recognize Him, not as a mean or coercive entity but as a nurturing figure who respects each soul's journey.
• Faith and Worship: Faith in any form is bestowed by God, and even those worshiping lesser deities are part of a divine plan, where their desires are fulfilled according to cosmic laws, leading them gradually towards the absolute.
• Hierarchy of Worship: There's a distinction between worshiping lesser gods which gives temporary benefits versus worshiping the supreme God which leads to ultimate liberation or union with the divine.
• Soham Meditation: The talk concludes with a reference to the "Soham" meditation, emphasizing that this practice leads to the realization of oneness with the divine, encapsulating the journey from individual consciousness to divine consciousness.

The talk illustrates the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on the nature of divine refuge, the diversity of spiritual paths, and the ultimate goal of spiritual life as described by Krishna.

The fortieth 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 7:16, Swamiji discusses the four kinds of people seek God: the distressed, seekers for knowledge, seekers of wealth, and the wise. What are the characteristics of each type, and which is the best?

Here is a summary of the talk on "Four Types Who Seek God."

• Introduction to Virtuous Seekers: Krishna discusses various types of people who seek spiritual growth, focusing on the virtuous ones. The term "virtuous" here refers to those who do good and are on Krishna's radar.
• Four Types of Seekers:
• ◦ The Distressed: These individuals seek God due to suffering or distress in their lives. They recognize that worldly solutions are temporary and seek divine intervention to transcend their pain.
• ◦ Seekers of Knowledge: This group is driven by a desire to understand the mysteries of life and the universe. They seek wisdom (jnana) to make sense of existence.
• ◦ Seekers of Wealth: Individuals in this category look to God as the source of abundance. They believe that by aligning themselves with the divine, they will receive material prosperity. This is not confined to any one religion but is a common human approach across various spiritual traditions.
• ◦ The Wise: These are the most advanced seekers who possess wisdom beyond mere knowledge. They are devoted entirely to the divine, understanding that true fulfillment comes from spiritual realization rather than material or temporary gains. They value their connection with the divine above all else, even in the face of worldly loss.
• Commentary on Spiritual Practices: Swami Nirmalananda Giri critiques various spiritual practices and figures, using the example of the "12-year-old guru" to illustrate how superficial knowledge and the pursuit of wealth can lead to misinformation and exploitation in spiritual contexts. He emphasizes the importance of genuine wisdom over sensationalism or material gain.
• The Value of Wisdom: The wise are described as being in constant union with the divine, focused on the ultimate reality without distractions. Krishna holds the wise in high regard, seeing them as an extension of his own self, highlighting the deep personal and spiritual connection between the divine and the wise seeker.
• Concluding Thoughts: The talk underscores the importance of true devotion and wisdom in spiritual life, encouraging listeners to seek a deeper understanding and connection with the divine rather than chasing fleeting material or superficial gains.

The thirty-ninth 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 7:09, Swamiji discusses the subject of tapasya (effective spiritual practice). He share more the various similes about God Krishna talks of, such as Intelligence and Strength. He briefly touches on the gunas, and what Krishna says about evil-doers.

• Divinity in Practice: Tapasya (spiritual practice) is not just an action but is inherently divine. When one engages in practices like meditation or japa (repetition of a mantra), it is both a manifestation of the divine and a pathway to realizing divinity.
• Manifestation of God: God is described as the seed of all beings, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the splendor of the splendid. This suggests that divinity is within everyone, no matter their level of spiritual evolution.
• The Nature of Self: The talk emphasizes that individuals are essentially divine, even if not fully realized. The concept of "Mahatma" (great soul) is used to describe the potential and inherent greatness within us.
• Desire and Dharma: Desire, when aligned with dharma (righteousness), is seen as a manifestation of the divine. Spiritual aspirations are thus a divine call, guiding individuals towards higher consciousness.
• The Gunas: The three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) are discussed as qualities or modes that influence all existence.
• Delusion and Reality: The world is described as deluded by these gunas, leading to a lack of perception of the eternal divine presence. True understanding involves looking inward beyond these states to recognize one's true essence.
• Preparation for Spiritual Journey: The narrative of Dr. Leninger’s preparation for meeting a great Yogi serves as an allegory for the spiritual journey. It underscores the need for discipline, effort, and readiness to transcend the material world.
• Beyond Maya: Ultimately, realizing the divine means seeing through the illusion (Maya) to understand that the world is God's play (Lila). This realization brings joy, optimism, and a sense of playfulness in spiritual life.
• The Nature of Evil: Evil is not inherent but arises from ignorance of the divine truth. Evil actions stem from being caught in the lower modes of existence without seeking divine knowledge.
• Call to Seek God: The talk concludes with the idea that only those who seek God will overcome the illusions of Maya. The encouragement is to strive for spiritual awakening with joy and dedication.

Swami Nirmalananda Giri's commentary suggests that spiritual practice is both a journey towards and an expression of the divine within, advocating for a life aligned with higher consciousness and dharma.