Entering the Sacred Battlefield of Self-Discovery
An exploration of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on intentional, spiritually conscious living and its relevance to Kriya Yoga practitioners.
The Bhagavad Gita serves as a profound manual for Kriya Yoga practitioners, offering practical guidance on living a spiritually conscious and intentional life.
The Bhagavad Gita is more than a sacred text—it is a living teaching that speaks directly to the challenges of our lives and how to navigate them with wisdom and clarity. Chapter One introduces the battlefield, a powerful metaphor for the spiritual path. Here, we find Arjuna facing despair, hesitating before the great war, uncertain of how to proceed.
This is not just Arjuna’s story—it is ours. We all encounter moments where life’s demands seem overwhelming, where our spiritual aspirations feel at odds with worldly responsibilities. How do we stay on the path? How do we live an enlightened life while fulfilling daily duties?
Sacred Texts as Guides on the Path
In the Kriya Yoga tradition, spiritual seekers are guided to study four essential texts:
- Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – A scientific exploration of the mind and meditation.
- The Bhagavad Gita – A living scripture offering practical and mystical guidance.
- The Teachings of the Gurus – The wisdom of realized masters in our lineage.
- The Book of Life – The ongoing study of our own experiences and choices.
These texts work together, revealing deeper insights as our inner awareness expands. The scriptures are not meant to be read once—they are ever new. As our discernment grows, their meanings become clearer, offering fresh wisdom and guidance.
"Self-realization is being able to freely live by the dictates of the soul and not by the promptings of the mind of desire."
—Paramahansa Yoganada
The Inner Battle: Recognizing the Forces at Play
The battle in the Bhagavad Gita is not a historical event alone—it represents the conflict within us. The opposing armies symbolize our lower tendencies (ego-driven desires, fear, and doubt) and our higher aspirations (peace, wisdom, and love).
How do we reclaim our divine life? The Gita shows us that this journey begins with self-awareness:
- How have I lost touch with my soul’s guidance?
- What choices am I making daily—do they lead to freedom or bondage?
- Am I living in alignment with my highest truth?
As Arjuna pauses on the battlefield, he is not weak—he is wise. His hesitation signals deep introspection, a crucial moment before transformation. In our own lives, these moments of uncertainty often precede great spiritual growth.
The Call to Reclaim the Soul Life
The Bhagavad Gita does not simply describe the inner battle—it calls us to action. It asks us to recognize where we have drifted from our highest purpose and invites us to step back into alignment.
Just as the Pandavas in the Mahabharata were exiled after losing their kingdom, we, too, experience times of separation from our soul awareness. Yet, this exile serves a purpose—it allows us to reflect, to step away from distractions, and to reclaim our inner strength.
Returning to our divine essence is not about perfection—it is about presence. As Paramahansa Yogananda taught, Self-realization is being able to freely live by the dictates of the soul and not by the promptings of the mind of desire.
Hearing the Call: The Awakening of Inner Guidance
In Chapter One, we encounter a powerful moment: the sound of the conch shells, a call to battle. This external sound mirrors the inner call we experience in meditation—the vibration of Om, the great cosmic sound drawing us home.
Even as Arjuna feels fear, Krishna is there, ready to guide him. And so, too, within us, the higher Self is always present, whispering: Stand up, arise! You have everything that you need.
The journey of the Gita is one of remembrance—of reclaiming our divine birthright and stepping fully into awakened living.
Listen to the full podcast episode below.
Bhagavad Gita, pt 2: Arise! Reclaim Your Soul Life
Continuing with Chapter 1, we look at how the divine life, the soul life, is lost in the first place. How does that happen? And why does that happen? Even though we are the radiant beings that we are, how is it that we gamble away our peace, our freedom, and our own Self-knowing? How do we lose that in the world? And how do we begin to reclaim it?
Dive Deeper into Dharma Teachings and Practices
Drawing from the reservoir of Vedic wisdom and the principles of yoga, the Dharma 365! Live Your Higher Purpose online course outlines the path to a life of higher purpose. The course provide a comprehensive immersion in dharma studies and practices for discovering your higher purpose and living it every day with heart and meaning.
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