Rooted Sangha: The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 2 | Verse 56
- sjholisticyoga
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
This week in sangha, we continue our discussion of The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living by Eknath Easwaran. Each week, I will do my best to summarise the parts of the book we discuss. Please refer to https://www.sjholisticyoga.co.uk/post/what-is-the-bhagavad-gita if you need a grounding in what The Bhagavad Gita itself is.
I cross-reference with other versions of the Bhagavad Gita, so sometimes the translations differ from Easwaran's.
Sukha and Dukha
SRI KRISHNA
56. Not agitated by grief or hankering after pleasure, they live free from lust and fear and anger.
To gain context of this verse, you may need to refresh yourself on verse 55, where Krishna says:
"They live in wisdom who see themselves in all and all in them, whose love for the Lord of Love has consumed every selfish desire and sense craving tormenting the heart."
Krishna asks of Arjuna: "Are you not weary of being dependent on the praise of other people for your peace of mind? Being afraid of their condemnation? Aren't you tired of being pushed by pleasure here, and pulled by pain there?"
In the language of yoga, this balance between ease and unease is described as sukha and dukkha. The sweetness and the struggle, the soft ground and the rough terrain. Sri Krishna is reminding us that we can instead choose to rest gently in the middle of both. But it seems we don't want to; it seems our senses enjoy being tossed around by experiences, like a cat toying with a mouse.
Will Quotient
Eknath speaks of the 'will quotient', and how we need to apply compassion and patience to our journey away from the push and pull of the senses. We have lived for so long in this way - ensnared in our own needs, desires and impulses. Increasing our will quotient will take time and dedication, and it can start with something as simple (yet difficult) as ignoring cravings for foods. It is like exercising a muscle - every time we turn away from temptation, our quotient increases.
Another fantastic strategy is to introduce something you are moving towards. Just as when we want to eat more healthfully, it can be helpful to think about adding new foods rather than giving things up. Positively moving towards something is often much easier than trying to escape an aspect of your life. I have personally applied this to many things, from addiction to acceptance of peri-menopause!
Personally, I take inspiration from the niyama of saucha in all aspects of my life. When I make decisions on what I consume, how I respond, etc. I view it through the lens of saucha (purity). I also counter lethargy or apathy (if they visit me) by prioritising others' needs over my own. So even if I feel paralysed or lost, I can find a reason to be active and purposeful. These simple practices keep me on the right path, and if I 'fall off the wagon' I apply compassion and get back on track as soon as possible.
Think of it like this (adapted from the Katha Upanishads):
Your body is the chariot.
Your intellect is the charioteer.
The mind holds the reins.
The senses are the horses, strong and easily pulled off course.
The world, with all its temptations and distractions, is the road.
And you, the deeper Self, are the one being carried.
And what Krishna reminds us is this: when the senses run wild, we lose our way. But when the mind is steady and the intellect clear, the journey becomes purposeful.
My Body Is A Temple (it actually is...)
The much-mocked cliche of 'my body is a temple' is actually a wonderful notion once we have accepted our true nature. And if our body is a temple, within which a divinity shelters for a while, we need to move through our lives gently, and with respect and great compassion for this body.
I looked in temples, churches, and mosques. But I found the Divine within my heart.”― Rumi
A reflection for practice and daily life
When a craving or impulse arises, can I pause and ask: “Does this lead me towards clarity, or further into distraction?”
What am I moving towards, rather than what I am trying to avoid? Is there a quality or guiding principle you could bring your focus to?
How can I embody that today in what I consume, speak, or give my attention to?
If I feel scattered or unmotivated, can I gently turn towards purpose through care for others?
When I notice I’ve been “carried off course”, can I respond with compassion rather than criticism, and simply begin again?
How am I treating my body today? Am I relating to it as something to control… or something to care for, like a temple?
Can I remember, even briefly, that I am not the horses, not the road — but the one being carried?
Giving Back
After covering room and fuel costs, all proceeds from Rooted are being saved to support a local cause, to be chosen together later this year - as a small act of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion in action.
On 21st September, we made our first donation (£110) to Kettering Samaritans.
On 23rd December, we donated £100 to Johnny's Happy Place, a wonderful mental health support cafe in Kettering.
On 9th April, we donated £100 to The Green Patch in Kettering.
We will agree on our next beneficiary soon. We have £50 in the pot!
Going Forward
Next week, we will continue Chapter 2. If you would like to join us in person, do get in touch or book online. It is never too late to join in, even if this is completely brand new to you.
If you would like to buy the book, click the image below for options.
Please Note:
My thoughts draw on teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, and other sacred texts within Hindu philosophy. I share my reflections as a yoga practitioner and teacher, and as a student of Vedanta - not as a scholar or religious authority. My intention is to gently explore how these teachings can be lived and contemplated within contemporary practice, and always with the utmost respect for their cultural and spiritual roots.
Om Shanti.
Vicki x
Comments