INTRODUCTION — Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13

avibhaktam ca bhūteṣu vibhaktam iva ca sthitam I
bhūta-bhartṛ ca taj jñeyam grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca
II 13.17

Although the supreme spirit appears to be divided as the Cosmic and individual entities, it is never divided, avibhaktam ca bhūteṣu. It is the basis of generation, maintenance and destruction of life. When we pour water into containers of different shapes and sizes, it takes on their shapes. If we carefully examine their contents, all of them contain the same water. Similarly, the world of many forms and shapes, so many species of plants and animals, appears as though there is so much variety. Underlying them all is the same energy. The prāṇa śakti, life force, running in each of them is the same.

If we understand this simple tattva (principle) of life—that we came from the same Source and we return to it—we will realize that we are connected to something much greater than our individual self.

I AM THE SOURCE OF ALL LIGHT

The Universal consciousness manifests in numerous ways and is also responsible for destruction. When the same Universal energy is unmanifest, unexpressed, it exists in potential form. This is referred to as puruṣa in the scriptures. When this energy manifests itself in this world, taking various names, forms, and shapes, it expresses itself as prakṛti. Prakṛti is the creative expression of puruṣa.

The life force that caused us to be born
also maintains us. Every little thing
happening within us is carried out by
the same intelligence that brought us
into this world. Similarly, the same
intelligence accompanies us when we
leave the body

The water of the ocean is the puruṣa and the waves that dance and play are prakṛti. The water appears to be divided in the form of waves of many shapes and sizes. In reality it is one mass of the same water. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa reminds Arjuna that the supreme spirit appears to be divided into puruṣa and prakṛti because of the different creations and expressions of prakṛti. However, He is beyond all this and exists undivided. At their core, all are creations of the universal energy.

Kṛṣṇa says, ‘He is the Supreme Self, or witnessing consciousness that is the source of all light in all luminous objects. He is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, and He is the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyone’s heart.’

THE SOURCE OF LIGHT

jyotiṣām api taj jyotis tamasaḥ param ucyate I jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ
jñāna-gamyaṁ hṛdi sarvasya viṣṭhitam II 13.18

The sources of light as we understand them are the sun, moon, lightning, fire or artificial means like electricity. All these produce light, which makes life possible. An object that is around us becomes visible because of the light energy. The cakṣu, the energy behind vision, can perceive that object when the surroundings are lit up. The light energy from the sun is responsible for the birth and growth of all living beings. All beings on planet Earth depend on the sun for their survival.

What gives these sources of light the energy to run? What drives them? The Universal consciousness gives energy to all sources of light. Kṛṣṇa calls this Self the ‘Source of light—jyotiṣām api taj jyotis’. The sources of light—the sun, the moon and lightning derive their energy from that self-luminous Self. That is why there is a common adjective given to the Self as ‘effulgent’ or ‘luminous’.

In a deeper sense, when the
Self is referred to as luminous,
it is not what we normally
understand. The Self is pure
intelligence and this
knowledge dispels ignorance.
An Enlightened Master sees
everything with clarity. He
sees truth as it is. You see,
when you are in a dark room
you are ignorant of what is
present in that room. When
the lights are switched on, you
become aware of things
around you.

Illustration of Krishna playing the flute

THE LIGHT TO ALL PROBLEMS

An Enlightened Master uses the lamp of consciousness to see the truth as it is, without any filters. Using this lamp, he experiences his surroundings in totality, in completion with the whole. This lamp is not like any other lamp; it cuts the layers of ignorance, however deep they may be. That is why the Master sees 360 degrees around him. He does not filter what he sees like we do. Please understand, the filtering that we do is the cause of our problems, our incompletions. We do not see whatever exists as it exists. We distort it to suit our inadequate, limited ideas, that are born out of our root thought patterns.

The ego is like darkness; it has no positive existence. Just as darkness is the absence of light, the ego is the absence of awareness. To struggle to kill the ego is like struggling to push darkness out of the room. To expel the darkness, what you need to do is to forget about dealing with the darkness. Focus your energy on light instead.

Bring a small lamp into the room and the darkness will leave on its own! This lamp of Consciousness is available to all of us. It lies within us. Forget all about the ego. Instead, focus on bringing the lamp into your being. When your entire Consciousness has become a flame, the ego is no more.

GOALS:

Helping the students understand

how an Enlightened Master uses

the lamp of consciousness to see

the truth as it is. Helping

students understand how to

bring the light of awareness in

their inner space to dispel the

darkness of ignorance.

ASSESSMENTS

❖ .What is prāṇa śakti?

❖ What is the simple tattva we need to understand?

❖ What is cakṣu?

❖ Define puruṣa and prakṛti.

❖ How does an Enlightened Master see truth?

❖ How can the Master see 360 degrees?

❖ What is the cause of our incompletions?

❖ How can we dispel darkness?

❖ When does the ego disappear?

ART OF THE DAY

ART OF THE DAY:

LAMP TIME

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Popsicle Craft Sticks (16 per lantern)

Tracing Paper

Metallic Washi Tape

Color Markers

Glue or Hot Glue Note:if an adult is there to do it

Pencil

LED Tealight Candle

PROCEDURE

Glue four craft sticks together to make the sides of the lantern. If you want to add the base to the lantern, make one more craft stick square.

ART OF THE DAY:

LAMP TIME

PROCEDURE:

2. Cut 4 square pieces of tracing paper.

3. Trace and color Swamiji’s portrait on one of the tracing papers

4. Glue the tracing papers to the wood stick squares.

hand holding a square paper with a circular design

5. Glue the sides together using a hot glue gun. You can also use regular white

glue - It just takes a little extra time to dry.

6. Decorate the lantern edges with washi tape. Place an LED tealight candle

inside it and you are all set to decorate your house for the festival season.

source: https://www.thejoysharing.com/2018/10/

paper-lantern-craft.html

ART OF THE DAY:

LAMP TIME

INFERENCE:

An Enlightened Master uses the lamp of consciousness to see the truth as it is, without any filters. Using this lamp, he experiences his surroundings in totality, in completion with the whole. This lamp is not like any other lamp; it cuts the layers of ignorance, however deep they may be. That is why the Master sees 360 degrees around him. He does not filter what he sees like we do. Please understand, the filtering that we do is the cause of our problems, our incompletions. We do not see whatever exists as it exists. We distort it to suit our inadequate, limited ideas, that are born out of our root thought patterns

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Thick eyeband / blindfold (cannot see through it and no light can enter)

Paper

Pencil

Pen

Eraser

Timer

Mahavakya audio

PROCEDURE:

Ask the students to pair up, one of each pair will be "Nithya" and the other "Ananda" .

The Nithya group will tie the eyeband around their eyes and Ananda group will ensure it is placed properly.

The Ananda group draw any shape on a sheet of paper.

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

PROCEDURE:

The Nithya group brings awareness to Ajna chakra, third eye, and connects to Swamiji, Paramashiva.

Both chant Mahavakya for 2 minutes

At the end of the round, the Nithya partner removes the eyeband and tells Ananda partner what Swamiji showed in your third eye. Verify that the answers match and switch turns

Do 2 rounds of shapes, then 2 rounds of writing letters and numbers, then 2 rounds of drawing.

At the end, ask the students to share about their experience of darkness and light during blindfold reading.

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

INFERENCE:

What gives these sources of light the energy to run? What drives them? The Universal consciousness gives energy to all sources of light. Kṛṣṇa calls this Self the ‘Source of light — jyotiṣam api taj jyotis’. The sources of light — the sun, the moon and lightning derive their energy from that self-luminous Self. That is why there is a common adjective given to the Self as ‘effulgent’ or ‘luminous’. In a deeper sense, when the Self is referred to as luminous, it is not what we normally understand. The Self is pure intelligence and this knowledge dispels ignorance. An Enlightened Master sees everything with clarity. He sees truth as it is. You see, when you are in a dark room you are ignorant of what is present in that room. When the lights are switched on, you become aware of things around you.

A portrait of an enlightened being adorned with beads and jewelry

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY:

VAAKYARTHA SADHAS

Topic Of Discussion:

The ego is like darkness; it has no positive existence. Just as darkness is the absence of light, the ego is the absence of awareness. To struggle to kill the ego is like struggling to push darkness out of the room. To expel the darkness, what you need to do is to forget about dealing with the darkness. Focus your energy on light instead.

Conclusion:

Forget all about the ego. Instead, focus on bringing the lamp into your being. When your entire Consciousness has become a flame, the ego is no more.

BHAGAVAD GITA BOOK XIII, VOLUME VI