The Bhagavad Gita: A Simple and Clear Guide for Western Seekers by Jack Hawley
The Bhagavad Gita by Jack Hawley: A Walkthrough for Westerners
If you are looking for a book that can transform your life, enlighten your mind, and nourish your soul, you might want to consider reading The Bhagavad Gita. This ancient scripture from India has been called "the most beautiful, perhaps the only true philosophical song existing in any known tongue" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and "one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed" by Aldous Huxley. But what is the Bhagavad Gita and why is it so important? And how can you access its timeless wisdom in a way that suits your modern lifestyle and sensibilities? In this article, we will explore these questions and more, and introduce you to a wonderful book that can help you discover the secrets of the Bhagavad Gita for yourself: The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners by Jack Hawley.
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The main themes and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, which means "The Song of God", is a part of the epic Mahabharata, which tells the story of a great war between two branches of a royal family. The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Arjuna, a warrior prince who is facing a moral dilemma about whether to fight or not, and Krishna, his charioteer and friend, who reveals himself to be an avatar or incarnation of Divinity. Through their conversation, Krishna teaches Arjuna about the nature of reality, the purpose of life, and the way to achieve liberation from suffering.
The Bhagavad Gita covers many topics and themes that are relevant for anyone who wants to live a spiritual life in this world. Some of the main themes and teachings are:
The role of Krishna as the avatar of Divinity
Krishna is not just a historical figure or a mythological character. He is an embodiment of Divinity who comes to earth to restore righteousness and harmony whenever there is chaos and evil. He is also an example of how one can live in perfect alignment with Divinity's will and manifest Divinity's qualities in one's actions. Krishna reveals his true identity to Arjuna in a spectacular vision where he shows him his cosmic form, which encompasses all of creation and transcends all of duality. He also tells Arjuna that he is the source of everything, the supreme goal of everything, and the inner self of everything. He says:
"There has never been a time when I, or you, or any of these kings and soldiers here did not exist and there will never be a time when we cease to exist. Physical bodies appear and disappear, but not the Atma (the soul, the life force) that lives within them."
"Whenever goodness and dharma (right action) weaken and evil grows stronger, I make Myself a body. I do this to uplift and transform society, reestablish the balance of goodness over wickedness, explain the sublime plan and purpose of life, and serve as the model for others to follow. I come age after age in times of spiritual and moral crisis for this purpose."
"Whatever path a person travels to Me is My path. In whatever way a person approaches Me, I return life for like. If they treat Me as father or mother, I treat them as My children. If they serve Me as master, I accept their services as their Lord. If they worship Me as a child, I approach them as a child. Those who pine for Me, I pine for. To those who see Me as friend I am friend. Even for those who perceive Me as enemy I approach as an enemy. All paths lead to Me, Divinity."
The concept of dharma or right action
Dharma is one of the most important concepts in the Bhagavad Gita. It means duty, law, morality, righteousness, or simply what is right. Dharma is not something fixed or rigid, but something that depends on one's nature, situation, and stage of life. Dharma is what aligns one with Divinity's plan and purpose for creation. Dharma is what brings harmony and balance to oneself and to society. Dharma is what leads to happiness and peace.
Arjuna's dilemma is about whether he should follow his dharma as a warrior and fight against his relatives and teachers who have become corrupt and unjust, or whether he should renounce his dharma and avoid violence and bloodshed. Krishna advises him to follow his dharma without attachment to the results or consequences of his actions. He says:
"It is better to do your own duty imperfectly than someone else's perfectly. Doing your duty according to your nature is the right way to live."
"You have control over your actions alone, never over their fruits. Live not for the fruits of action, nor attach yourself to inaction."
"The truly wise act without scheming for the fruits of their actions, and are therefore without inner turmoil."
The path of yoga or union with Divinity
Yoga is another key concept in the Bhagavad Gita. It means union, connection, or integration. Yoga is the process and the goal of attaining oneness with Divinity, who is the ultimate reality behind all appearances. Yoga is also the method and the discipline of living in harmony with oneself, with others, and with nature.
The Bhagavad Gita describes various types of yoga that suit different temperaments and preferences. Some of the main types are:
Karma yoga: The yoga of action or service. It involves performing one's duties with detachment, dedication, and devotion to Divinity.
Bhakti yoga: The yoga of love or devotion. It involves cultivating a personal relationship with Divinity through worship, prayer, chanting, meditation, and surrender.
Jnana yoga: The yoga of knowledge or wisdom. It involves seeking to understand the true nature of oneself and reality through study, reflection, discrimination, and self-inquiry.
Raja yoga: The yoga of meditation or concentration. It involves training the mind to focus on one object or point until it becomes still and calm.
Krishna tells Arjuna that all these paths lead to the same goal: realizing one's true identity as Atma (soul), which is identical with Brahman (Divinity). He says:
"The Atma within everyone is always pure radiant like the sun but because it is covered by clouds of illusion (maya), it appears clouded But when you see yourself in everyone when you see all beings as My manifestations then you attain supreme love for Me."
Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a call to action to download the PDF version of Jack Hawley's book
In conclusion, the Bhagavad Gita is a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom that can help you live a better life in any situation. It teaches you about the nature of reality, the purpose of life, and the way to achieve liberation from suffering. It also offers you various paths of yoga or union with Divinity that suit your preferences and temperament. It also guides you to follow your dharma or duty without attachment to the results or consequences of your actions. It also inspires you to cultivate a personal relationship with Divinity through love, devotion, and surrender.
If you want to read and understand the Bhagavad Gita in a simple, clear, and relevant way, you should definitely check out Jack Hawley's book, The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners. This book is a paraphrase or a rendition of the original Sanskrit verses that captures their essence and beauty. It is also a walkthrough or a guide that helps you apply their wisdom to your own life. It is written in modern expository prose with everyday language and examples. It is organized into short chapters and sections with summaries and review questions. It also provides additional notes, references, and resources for further exploration.
You can download the PDF version of Jack Hawley's book for free from this link: . You can also buy the paperback or Kindle version from Amazon or other online retailers. You can also visit Jack Hawley's website for more information about his work and his other books.
Don't miss this opportunity to read one of the most beautiful, profound, and practical books ever written. Download the PDF version of Jack Hawley's book today and start your journey of spiritual transformation with the Bhagavad Gita.
FAQs: Five frequently asked questions and answers about the Bhagavad Gita by Jack Hawley
Q: Who is Jack Hawley and why did he write this book?
A: Jack Hawley is a former management consultant and a spiritual seeker who has spent many years studying and living the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in India. He wrote this book as a labor of love and a gift to his fellow Westerners who are looking for spiritual guidance and inspiration.
Q: How is this book different from other translations and commentaries of the Bhagavad Gita?
A: This book is not a literal translation or a scholarly commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, but a paraphrase or a rendition that captures the essence and beauty of the original Sanskrit verses. It is also a walkthrough or a guide that helps you apply their wisdom to your own life. It is written in modern expository prose with everyday language and examples. It is organized into short chapters and sections with summaries and review questions. It also provides additional notes, references, and resources for further exploration.
Q: What are some of the main themes and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita?
A: Some of the main themes and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are:
- The role of Krishna as the avatar or incarnation of Divinity who comes to earth to restore righteousness and harmony whenever there is chaos and evil.
- The concept of dharma or duty that depends on one's nature, situation, and stage of life. Dharma is what aligns one with Divinity's plan and purpose for creation. Dharma is what brings harmony and balance to oneself and to society. Dharma is what leads to happiness and peace.
- The path of yoga or union with Divinity that involves various methods and disciplines such as action, service, love, devotion, knowledge, wisdom, meditation, concentration, etc.
- The goal of realizing one's true identity as Atma (soul), which is identical with Brahman (Divinity), who is the source, goal, and inner self of everything.
Q: How can I benefit from reading this book?
A: You can benefit from reading this book in many ways, such as:
- You can find peace and happiness within yourself, regardless of the external circumstances.
- You can live a meaningful and fulfilling life by following your dharma or purpose.
- You can achieve liberation from suffering by following the path of yoga or union with Divinity.
- You can discover your true nature and identity as Atma (soul), which is identical with Brahman (Divinity).
- You can cultivate a personal relationship with Divinity through love, devotion, and surrender.
Q: How can I download the PDF version of this book for free?
A: You can download the PDF version of this book for free from this link: . You can also buy the paperback or Kindle version from Amazon or other online retailers. You can also visit Jack Hawley's website for more information about his work and his other books.
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