gdp's Comments

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Bhagavad Gita in a Nutshell: Big Ideas & Best Quotations.

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:57:50 +0000

Agreeing with above comments!! :))) Thank you for doing what you do, awesome Talk!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #15: Nearing the Conclusion of Gita Talk / How are We Doing?

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:46:15 +0000

Wow, I'm loving this and very greatful to have jumped on it!! Being part of this group/discussion has given me alot more depth to the reading. I would not have gotten that reading it on my own. Its also a really enjoyable version so it was easy to catch up and follow along. It was great to have the guests, giving other points of views creating even more depth to it. Great to feel I now wouldn't mind that much reading another version :))) Just found there is a Tantric view on the BG by Douglas Brooks, that would be very interesting since Tantra (DB teaches Rajanaka Tantra) says yes to (life-affirming) desires. If feels inspireing to you Bob, could we do this with other yogic books, like The Yoga Sutras or if theres an easy version of any of the Uphanishads ...?

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #14: A Warm and Wonderful Article by Special Guest Amy Champ

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:07:22 +0000

Blessings and thanks for being here on Gita Talk with us!!!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #14: A Warm and Wonderful Article by Special Guest Amy Champ

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:03:07 +0000

Thanks for the lovely and down-to-earth article :) I love being bhakti-full, surrender to something greater, singing, doing yoga and having my heart open. The importance of an altar or "special place" for mediation has faded as my altar is always with me, inside. Remembering that, every and any place is a special place enough for meditation. Every and anything can be considered a temporary altar. When its a way of life, no "outside" props are needed. Of course I love having my yoga/meditation-room at home, creating a shakti and shanti-filled space. But what I mean is that... my home is like that for pleasure - I dont have an altar as such at home, nor wearing a mala... nothing "outside" hinders me from being bhakti-filled in an airport, an airplane, where there is lotsa noice or if finding myself in a extreamly-cluttery/dirty space... :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #13: "The Infinite God, Composed of All Wonders"

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:30:57 +0000

Favourite part of the 11th is the end of it, as you above stated the 11:37,38,40,55. The first part (as wriote in the last week's discussion) was to me somewhat boring. :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #12: Does the Infinitely Wondrous Universe Give a Damn About You and Me?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:24:05 +0000

As I understand it The Universe care alot about all of us and wants us to get and experience all that we want. Its us misunderstanding and complicating things with our fears and analyzing. The Universe is not "non-caring" when "bad things happen", instead it has the bigger view where we are all eternal and "bad things" just seem that way when you dont have the distance to it (upeksha). Thats my understanding of it. :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #12: Does the Infinitely Wondrous Universe Give a Damn About You and Me?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:17:01 +0000

The description in chapt.10 (of the Blessed Lords beingness) is more of my taste than in chapt.11. Chapt.11 was to me a lil boring meanwhile chapt 10 was very enjoyable. :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #12: Does the Infinitely Wondrous Universe Give a Damn About You and Me?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:58:57 +0000

:) yes, very beautiful

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #12: Does the Infinitely Wondrous Universe Give a Damn About You and Me?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:21:40 +0000

About chapter 10.__I love the 10.8, ending with "...by entering my state of being" - which I see as you enter your own center of being where your soul-feelings/qualities resides (and is the Universe at the same time as its your own center "within").__Also loving the description of "who/what" the blessed Lord is, starting 10.19.____will be back commenting chapt.11 :)____

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #11: Different Yoga Strokes for Different Yoga Folks

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:26:04 +0000

For me it has been a beautiful journey from fearbased "but what if X went wrong"-thinking, to a lovebased thinking where all is and will continue to be Well. Meditation has been a extreamly efficient tool for me, making it easy to see what thoughts are hindering me or benefiting me. I use the knowledge (as in jnana) of anatomy and biomecanics to treat my body with love (ahimsa; non-harming) as I twist, turn and bend myself into all kinds of yoga poses. But all of them (jnana, karma, bhakti, raja) are somehow incorporated in my practice and my everyday life. Everyday is a gift and I love life. Feeling very comfy with my new mindset :) http://joylovebliss.blogspot.com/

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #10: Pretend We're All Just Sitting Around In My Living Room Together

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:38:24 +0000

Interesting Elise, thanks for sharing. The interpretation "suttling from death to death" as shuttling from various life situations, refering it to this very life. Nice one. :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #10: Pretend We're All Just Sitting Around In My Living Room Together

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:28:35 +0000

Thanks Greg, I see what you mean. I read some buddism time ago and it was kinda in the back of my head, while commenting, aswell with everything else I've read and heard about this topic... But really I was just talking from my personal perspective. As you say, if one imagine another person/beings suffering (how it would feel), one will suffer accordingly. But that wont help anyone, just add another sufferer to the crowd.. :) Thats how I view things. Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all beings be happy)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #10: Pretend We're All Just Sitting Around In My Living Room Together

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:11:04 +0000

I could believe in reincarnation as such, in the sense I described above, that we would reincarnate for fun. Not becasue of that we havent reached the "goal" yet and are still on this journey to understand that & do whatever it takes to free ourselves..., or because of "bad karma"..or whatever. I'm pro-FUN, pro-ADVENTURE, pro-Playfulness, pro-self empowerment....all that is pro-happy living... :) Making me aswell of course... pro-"everything is infinitely Divine/Wondrous" :) Wooohooo :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #10: Pretend We're All Just Sitting Around In My Living Room Together

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:37:14 +0000

....another thing... if its the case that people will drop off, and not come back because they reach this "goal"... in the end there will be obly a few people/animals left to play in flesh and bone. That doesnt make much sense to me. I mean, that doesnt sound like a "genious" idea. But if we are here to enjoy being flesh and bone, being able to do "earthly" things and all the time enhance the experience. And having a choice how to react to things. That could be a real eternal FUN game. And every time with the thrilling sense that you're here for the "first" /last time, making it an adventure. THAT I find more of a genious idea :)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #9: First Date with the Gita? If Not, Remember Yours?

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:39:38 +0000

Oh, I feel new to it, cuz its the first time I've been able to read it and understand the sentences without struggle :) My first encounter with the Gita though was many years go when a Hare Krishna Devotee came up to me wanting me to donate something to get a book. I dont remember how he described it, but I remember I bought it and gave it to my mom... haha (I didn't even try to read it, I was maybe 14yrs old) First attempt to read it was in India at a Yoga teacher training,mandatory and I was bothered that I had to buy it and carry it in my already heavy backpack...so I bought the smallest tiniest one I found in the store (Anne Besant). It was like 10x8x3cm with a hard cover.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #8: Very Special Guest Graham Schweig.

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:08:26 +0000

The Universe conspires... and here we all are. Wounderful talking to you!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #8: Very Special Guest Graham Schweig.

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:52:05 +0000

Interesting, the Gita as you say "resolve" it on a deeper level. I guess thats what I'm trying to say regarding the "feeling good no matter what", you resolve it in your consciousness or in your mind. Have I understood it right? And the Ahimsa-striving is to be considered as "how it looks in the big picture"... ( i.e. - the result of Arjunas killing could protect innocent people?)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #8: Very Special Guest Graham Schweig.

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:03:23 +0000

Well, life experience combined with yoga practice can be a really powerful thing. Yoga Practice is not to underestimate. Therefore great to have you both. Valuable equally in different ways. Studies are good (interesting aswell) and can make you understand things deeper but can also corrupt the mind to "listen to the teachings of someone/research instead of trusting your heart/Soul within". As Krisha say somewhere...you need no books if connected directly to source. Yoga connects you. Therefore you both make a great compliment onhere! You are both Awesome. I love how you both write in a light and easy to grasp way. even though we're talking about some deep stuff here :) Thanks to you Both for this interesting discussion! Its really is enriching to read what you both write!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #8: Very Special Guest Graham Schweig.

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:47:14 +0000

I'm interested to know that too :) Were is the Ahimsa-approach? For me the no hesitation to killing appproach, as we havediscussed before - was because of out Eternalness and our "role" in life - if we are a warrior, then fight... you'll still go back to Unconditional Love (the Source) anyway. And I think there was a verse about it where Krisha says to Arjuna that either way he will "win". So - eternal or strict Ahimsha.. ? hmmm..

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Gita Talk #8: Very Special Guest Graham Schweig.

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:07:28 +0000

(cont.) I really like how you write and how you put things. Thanks for taking the time to answer and joining this discussion. Its a great complement to Bob. Very interesing to read what both of you think and how you see it, with your bakgrounds. :) Thanks again!