The Bhagavad Gita study 

Those who want to participate but have not done Part 1 and Part 2 of the Sutra studies have to purchase and listen to short recorded talk by Robin as a prerequisite to the BG study. Cost: $35. 

 

The Bhagavad Gita

 

The Bhagavad Gita is without doubt the most renowned and beloved scripture of all the Indian spiritual traditions.  The Gita has also profoundly impacted great thinkers throughout the world, and has been translated into over 75 languages.

 

The text takes the form of a conversation between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, just as a war is about to begin. 

 

Paused on the battlefield, Arjuna takes stock of his situation and begins to question the implications of the actions he must take. 

 

It’s a very dramatic and emotionally charged moment!  And the conversation that then ensues between warrior and charioteer delves deeply into the nature of right action (dharma) and questions how to live life as yoga in the face of challenges, unreasonableness, evil, and self-doubt.

 

There is not just one way to read the Bhagavad Gita, for its messages are many and numerous great commentaries have been written on it.

 

In this series for Darwin Yoga Space’s Yoga Studies Program, we will navigate through the text together, first identifying its core teachings and then, through contemplation and conversations examine how we can apply its wisdom to our lives as 21st century yoga practitioners.

 

No prior knowledge is necessary, only a willingness to read the text, listen to the recorded talks, and engage in reflection and discussion. 

PROGRAM’S BACKGROUND STORY

 

Here is how this project came about. You can say it’s been a ten years project in the making. Ever since we met each other in Montreal in the late 2000s Robin and I have enjoyed sharing our love of yoga philosophy. Robin often took my yoga classes and she would invite me to philosophy events that she led or organized with other presenters.  

We often talked about the possibility for our respective expertise to blend into an offering of some sort and we are delighted to offer this light hearted exploration of the yoga sutras as a Part 1 of our Fundamentals of Yoga Philosophy program.  

The format of this study is what makes it special. The combination of audio recordings by an excellent experienced teacher, questions to contemplate in a led group discussion and dedicated reading material are an ideal combination that makes the study of yoga philosophy interesting, manageable and palatable. On top of that Robin offered to make herself available for questions from you that I cannot answer and will play a role of mentor to myself.  

These studies will explain the philosophical context in which the asanas took root, something that I also seek to impart when I teach. They will give your yoga practice a better chance to transform and support you in living a more purposeful and contented life. 

We are taking a minimum of 8 and maximum of 14 participants.

Part 2 of the program will start soon. Doing Part 1 is a prerequisite for participating in the Part 2. 

 

PART 1:

Yoga Studies Part 1 consist of a series of four approx. 45-minute recorded talks by Robin Golt. Themes covered are: 

 

Talk 1:  What is Yoga?  Getting Clear.

A quick zip through the early history and evolution of yoga.  You will hear about ancient yogic texts, the Upanisads, in which the first yogis pondered essential questions about life and came up with some surprising answers that still resonate today.  This talk will also include a short teaser about another great text of yoga, the Bhagavad Gita.

 

Talk 2:  The Vision of Yoga Philosophy – Introduction to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is a treasure house of knowledge for all yogis, and is especially dear to practitioners of Iyengar Yoga.   A sutra is a short aphorism, a phrase that contains few words, but is densely packed with meaning!  This talk will introduce some important philosophical basics that will help the student better appreciate what the sutras are trying to communicate.    

 

Talk 3:  Working with the Sutras A 

Essential sutras from Pada/Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras including the 8 limbs of yoga.  

 

Talk 4:  Working with the Sutras B

The 8 limbs of yoga.  

Essential sutras from Pada/Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras including kriya yoga and the kleshas

Originally each talk was coupled with a group discussions led by me. Since you will be doing Part 1 as a prerequisite for Part 2, you would be sent the four recordings at once and listen to them in your own time. There will be one led discussion with Carole to recap the material, discuss and ask questions. 

 

SCHEDULE

 

-Recorded talks

The four recorded talks from Part 1 will be sent to you as soon as you book and pay for Part 1 &Part 2. 

-The led discussion 

The single discussion led by Carole will be held at Darwin Yoga Space on Monday 11 October starting at 7.30pm  sharp. If you are not a Darwin local you can participate in these discussions via zoom .

Tea will be provided.

PART 2:

There will be 3 (30-45min) recordings by Robin Golt, each one followed two weeks later by a led discussion by Carole. If you are not a Darwin local you can participate in these discussions via zoom.

The topics will be:

-The Indian notion of time
-Karma and reincarnation
-Samskaras  

BIOS

Robin Golt has had a long and extensive interest in learning and teaching different aspects of yoga philosophy for more than 30 years. She has the knack for explaining complex philosophical concepts in simple and clear terms, easily grasped by all. To view Robin’s full bio and work go to www.robingolt.com

Carole’s studies of the yoga philosophy and the yoga sutras include:

-Listening to Geeta, Prashant and BKS Iyengar refer to them in class and conventions over 35 years, including many functions when the sutras were chanted in their entirety. Lectures on the yoga sutras by Prashant.

-Two years study on the literature, history and philosophy of yoga. 

-Sutras study with Swami Dayananda (Pensylvannia,) Rami Sivan (Sydney), Vyn Bailey (Sydney).

-Retreats on non dualism with Georg Feuerstein and Richard Miller, Mooji and Ramesh Balsekar.

Robin and I are looking forward to share with you a little bit of the extraordinary wisdom tradition that is yoga. 

Please let me know asap if you are interested and I will send you further details.

Please share the information below to yoga friends who you think might be interested.