100 Goals in 1000 Days

Goal 69: Hinduism is really plurality more than a single religion; nevertheless, if one text represents the general ethos of this wisdom tradition from India, it is the Bhagavad-Gita. This Sanskrit poem, the ’Song of God’ details a metaphysical conversation between Krishna and Arjuna on the eve of a great battle. Last night, I began re-reading this classic and I finished it this evening. I think every Westerner should have to read this book as it offers another way to view one’s roles, duties, and successes via the framework of Nishkam Karma Yoga or the Yoga of Selfless Action. 

This is a great book, regardless of your current belief system. Gandhi often used it as a guide during his non-violent struggle for Indian independence. Here is what he wrote about the Bhagavad Gita :

“The Gita is the universal mother. She turns away nobody. Her door is wide open to anyone who knocks. A true votary of Gita does not know what disappointment is. He ever dwells in perennial joy and peace that passeth understanding. But that peace and joy come not to skeptic or to him who is proud of his intellect or learning. It is reserved only for the humble in spirit who brings to her worship a fullness of faith and an undivided singleness of mind. There never was a man who worshipped her in that spirit and went disappointed. I find a solace in the Bhagavad-Gita that I miss even in the Sermon on the Mount. When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad-Gita. I find a verse here and a verse there , and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies — and my life has been full of external tragedies — and if they have left no visible or indelible scar on me, I owe it all to the teaching of Bhagavad-Gita. “