Objectivity in Life 2020
Clarity & Wisdom
Discover how right action can bring clarity & wisdom in life.
With internationally-acclaimed scholar of Vedanta, Sunandaji
25-27 September 2020
ONLINE ONLY
The Speaker
In this immersion with Sunandaji, world-renowned philosopher and teacher, you will receive a down to earth presentation of the eternal truths of life.
Schedule
Learn how right action in life leads to lasting satisfaction in. Discover meaning & purpose your life while uplifting intellect & mind with discussion, Q&A, and breakout sessions.
The Text
The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient philosophical poem of India. Its 701 verses comprise the philosophical kernel of the epic Mahabharata, which is over 100,000 verses. The prime message of Gita is humankind's ultimate purpose in life - to realize one's essential nature. The theme of the Gita is that an individual's friend and enemy both lie within. We are advised to overcome our lower nature through higher spiritual aspirations, and unfold the supreme Self.
$200 per person
Registration includes:
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- Lectures with Sunandaji
- Q&A with Sunandaji
- Breakout groups
- Poetry discussion with Vedanta Academy alumnus
- SPECIAL LIVE Q&A WITH SWAMI PARTHASARATHY
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Bhagavad Gita - Chapter IV
The Yoga of Renunciation of Action in Wisdom
"Whoever functions with the constant remebrance of the supreme Self and oblates all actions to realisation of the Self shall find liberation from the world."
A. Parthasarathy. Srimad Bhagavad Gita. IV.32, commentary
The Bhagavad Gita ‘Song of the lord’ is an epic poem that recouts the conversation between Lord Krsna and the mighty warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It provides a dynamic and practical philosophy which expounds the technique of living for a successful and peaceful life. Above all it ushers one towards the ultimate goal of spiritual Enlightenment.
Krsna describes how following a course of right action, we advance in our spiritual maturity. We gain wisdom. With the dawn of wisdom we begin to put the various aspects of life into their proper perspective. We leave behind what does not bring lasting Peace, and move towards Self-knowledge.
Sunandaji
Daughter-Disciple
Sunandaji is the daughter-disciple of internationally eminent philosopher Swami Parthasarathy. She has been imbibing Vedanta, the ancient philosophy of India for over three decades.
Powerful Presentation
Her clear and powerful presentation of ancient wisdom in contemporary thought has been acclaimed by prestigious organisations including the Young Presidents’ Organization and many leading universities around the world. Read recent press articles on Sunandaji.
Diverse Audiences
Sunandaji has addressed diverse audiences across four continents for the past twenty years.
Administrator
Sunandaji is a senior administrator and trustee of the Vedanta Cultural Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to the study, research and propagation of Vedanta. The Foundation has been accorded the coveted status of a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by the Government of India. The Foundation also established the Vedanta Academy in Malavli Hills, 108 km from Mumbai.
The Schedule
(All times are Pacific Daylight Time / UTC-7)
Friday 25 September
An introduction to Sunandaji and this online retreat. Housekeeping and general details.
Sunandaji will start her discussion of chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita. Conforming to the ancient tradition, the verses under discussion will be chanted, translated, and then explained.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session - leave your queries in the Q&A box as they come up during the lecture.
A video recording of this lecture will be available until the start of lecture 2.
Saturday 26 September
Sunandaji will continue her discussion of chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita. Conforming to the ancient tradition, the verses under discussion will be chanted, translated, and then explained.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session - leave your queries in the Q&A box as they come up during the lecture.
A video recording of this lecture will be available until the start of lecture 3.
These breakout groups are an oppotunity for you to formulate specific questions that will be taken up by either Sunandaji or Swami Parthasarathy.
The purpose of these groups is NOT to answer questions, but to allow a deep dive into your query itself. Your fellow group members will clarify your question and help in a precise formulation that gets to the heart of your doubt.
A well-formulated question demands a precise and authoritative answer.
A monitor will be appointed to help guide the process.
We will study an English poem which convey great human values. The message of the poem is designed to guide us to the deeper philosophy of Vedanta, through which peace and success can be achieved. With Glen Callahan from Vedanta Institute LA.
We will study:
The Olive Tree by Sabine Baring-Gould
Sunandaji will continue her discussion of chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita. Conforming to the ancient tradition, the verses under discussion will be chanted, translated, and then explained.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session - leave your queries in the Q&A box as they come up during the lecture.
A video recording of this lecture will be available until the start of lecture 4.
Sunday 27 September
Sunandaji will continue her discussion of chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita. Conforming to the ancient tradition, the verses under discussion will be chanted, translated, and then explained.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session - leave your queries in the Q&A box as they come up during the lecture.
A video recording of this lecture will be available until the Q&A session with Swami Parthasarathy.
These breakout groups are an oppotunity for you to formulate specific questions that will be taken up by either Sunandaji or Swami Parthasarathy.
The purpose of these groups is NOT to answer questions, but to allow a deep dive into your query itself. Your fellow group members will clarify your question and help in a precise formulation that gets to the heart of your doubt.
A well-formulated question demands a precise and authoritative answer.
A monitor will be appointed to help guide the process.
Swami A. Parthasarathy is the foremost expert on Vedanta philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita. He has not only understood the powerful concepts contained in Gita, but has gone to the end of it and is established in its wisdom.
The translation and commentary that we have been studying was written by him across several years.
The Swami will take up questions formulated in the breakout groups.
Videos
Its Time To Focus On Your Life
Vedanta, The End Of Knowledge
Combining Peace and Prosperity
The Technique Of Living
Stress Management
Building Relationships
The Olive Tree
by Sabine Baring-Gould
Said an ancient hermit bending
Half in prayer upon his knee,
‘Oil I need for midnight watching,
I desire an olive tree.’
Then he took a tender sapling,
Planted it before his cave,
Spread his trembling hands above it,
As his benison he gave.
But he thought, the rain it needeth,
That the root may drink and swell;
‘God! I pray Thee send Thy showers!’
So a gentle shower fell.
‘Lord! I ask for beams of summer
Cherishing this little child.’
Then the dripping clouds divided,
And the sun looked down and smiled.
‘Send it frost to brace its tissues,
O my God!’ the hermit cried.
Then the plant was bright and hoary,
But at evensong it died.
Went the hermit to a brother
Sitting in his rocky cell:
‘Thou an olive tree possessest;
How is this, my brother tell?’
‘I have planted one and prayed,
Now for sunshine, now for rain;
God hath granted each petition,
Yet my olive tree hath slain!’
Said the other, ‘I entrusted
To its God my little tree;
He who made knew what it needed
Better than a man like me.
Laid I on Him no conditions,
Fixed no ways and means; so I
Wonder not my olive thriveth,
Whilst thy olive tree did die.’