Recordings of weekly Gita Wisdom discussions, workshops, and conference calls are available for download. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, Hipcast, or Spotify.
Below, we’re slowing adding class notes for each podcast to give you access to handouts, vocabulary, verses, visuals, etc. Use the above links for a complete list of the 100+ available podcasts.
Classes are currently being held at EverVeda in Oyster Bay, NY on Long Island. Check the following links for the class schedule: [Calendar] [Facebook Events]
June 27, 2019 – LI Series, Week 34: A Rational Approach to Detachment Part 2
The discussion continues about the nature of an inner life and giving up attachments. BG 5.22-5.25 Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] [Spotify] Homework For our next class please read [BG 5.26 – 5.29]. Mentioned in this podcast Abbreviations used in these notes: BG for Bhagavad Gita Books Bhagavad Gita As It Is […]
June 6, 2019 – LI Series, Week 33: A Rational Approach to Detachment
Detachment is often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean we don’t experience emotions or that we withdraw from the world; it’s quite the opposite. We’ll talk about what detachment really means and how to cultivate that quality. BG 5.19-5.21 Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] [Spotify] Homework For our next class please read [BG 5.22 – 5.25]. […]
May 9, 2019 – LI Series, Week 31: Gurus: Questions & Answers
What is a guru? Who is qualified? How does one find a guru? What is the relationship between guru and disciple? What are the qualifications of the disciple? And more. Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] [Spotify] Homework For further reading on gurus, please read verses [4.34] and [4.35] and their purports. For our next […]
April 4, 2019 – Long Island Series, Week 29: Interview with Rabbi Michael White
Special Guest: Rabbi Michael White, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai in Roslyn, NY, joins us for a talk about the role people of faith play in social activism. Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] [Spotify] Homework Read Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 14 Memorize Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 13 [audio] See What We’re […]
October 4, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 19: Priest, warrior, merchant, worker [BG 4.13-15]
Topics: Varna-ashram system (the four castes and four life stages) Vedic conception of work and distribution of wealth Additional topics: Becker’s “The Denial of Death” and it’s parallels to the teachings of Gita Agha, the terrible demon Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] [Spotify] Mentioned in this podcast Abbreviations used in these notes: BG for […]
September 27, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 18: Demigods [BG 4.12]
Who and what are the demigods and what is their role? Topics include: Worship of the demigods How demigods differ from Krishna and his avatars Additional topics include: The intention behind service Yogi scientist Richard L. Thompson (Sadaputa) The mysterious universe and yogic powers Developing love of God [Nine Stages of Bhakti] Stream Subscribe […]
October 25, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 20: The Psychic Roots of Karma [BG 4.16-18]
Verses 16-18 of Chapter 4 talks about action, forbidden action, and inaction and the resulting karmic reactions. We discuss the different kinds of karma, how karma plays out over lifetimes, and whether or not we, as spiritual practitioners, are obliged to assume greater social responsibilities. We also discuss the psychology of karma. Topics: Karma, vikarma, […]
Aug 30, 2018 – LI Series, Week 16, Interview with Shaunaka Rishi Das
Special Guest: Shaunaka Rishi Das (Timothy Kiernan), Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, stops by for an enlightening chat with Joshua about the Bhagavad Gita, interfaith communications, dogma, faith, and more. Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] [Spotify] Homework Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 11 See What We’re Up To [Instagram] [Facebook […]
August 9, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 15: Three Excuses for Avoiding the Spiritual Journey [BG 4.9,4.10]
Why do we become apathetic about spiritual practices? Rational excuses can disguise deeper causes. Bhakti practices, in particular, challenge us to confront our material discomforts—and often it is easier to pretend we are “One”. We should take care not to avoid the very relief we seek. Topics include: An explanation of “ego” or How material […]
July 26, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 14 [BG 4.7, 4.8] The Purpose of the Avatars
BG 4.7 explains that Krishna appears in this world when there is a decline in morality, a rise in violence, when leaders rule against the well-being of their citizens. The current state of the world seems to fit this description. So, where is Krishna now? Topics include: Krishna’s purpose for appearing in the world The […]
July 12, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 13 – [BG 4.4-4.6]
Arjuna, who grew up with Krishna, questions how Krishna taught the science of the self to the sun god at the dawn of time. Topics include: The role of karma in shaping our lives and bodies Why we don’t remember our past lives What happens when we are liberated The story of Jada Bharata Additional […]
June 28, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 12 – [BG 4.1-4.3] In the Beginning…
Until now, Krishna has not given any hints as to his true identity. In Chapter 4 Krishna reveals he taught this ancient knowledge to the sun god at the dawn of the millennium. Additional topics include: An explanation of the invocation om namo bhagavate vasudevaya The power of the Gita teachings for good and evil […]
June 21, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 11 – Dhruva
Chapter 3 of the Gita points to the pathology of conditioned life and obstacles on the spiritual path. This class includes a summary of the Vedic story of Dhruva, the boy king who found God through meditation. Additional topics include: How our spiritual knowledge can help us navigate life’s challenges The role of guru Stream […]
May 24, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 9: Leadership [BG 3.21]
Bhagavad Gita 3.21: The importance of good qualities in a leader. Topics include: Developing good qualities Krishna’s instructions on meditation Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] Homework Continue reading Chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita As It Is Find an article and analyze it from a bhakti perspective Mentioned in this podcast Abbreviations used in these […]
May 17, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 8 – [BG 3.6]
Bhagavad Gita 3.6: Being honest about our spiritual capabilities. Topics include: Realistically assessing our daily practice A brief explanation of the four regulative principles An explanation of the Hare Krishna mantra Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] Homework Continue reading Chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita As It Is Mentioned in this podcast Abbreviations used in […]
May 10, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 7 – The History of Science in One Verse [BG 3.3]
Third chapter Bhagavad Gita begins with a concise summary of how knowledge is attained and the formula for lasting prosperity (BG 3.3). Additional topics include: The cycle of ages: satya, treta, dvapara, and kali yugas. Why do some people resist pursuing what would make them happy? Who are the demigods (devas), what do they do […]
May 3, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 6 – Empiric Knowledge or Revelation?
Are spiritual intuitions and rational thought antithetical or complimentary? Topics include: Interviews with leading physicists on the existence of God Questions and answers on the nature of devotional life Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] Homework Read BG 3.1-12 verses and purports Mentioned in this podcast Handouts Philosophy Pays Off Books Bhagavad Gita As It […]
April 26, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 5 – The Guru-Disciple Relationship
Understanding the guru-disciple relationship is critical to appreciating the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna. Topics include: The role of guru Approaching a guru Responsibilities of the disciple Additional topics include: Radha: the embodiment of devotion Krishna: the Source of all creation Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] Homework Read BG 4.34 verse and purport Finish […]
April 19, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 4 – Topics Summarized, Brahma’s Creation Story
This week we summarized topics from the previous three classes. Topics include: The purpose of yoga The symptoms of life The impersonal brahman The distortion of Krishna’s pastimes Additional topics include: Brahma’s creation story and the Govinda Prayers How to show compassion to those we disagree with Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] Homework […]
April 5, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 3 – Three Levels of Realization
Personhood is critical to understanding the Gita. This class we discuss the personhood of the self and the Supreme and biases against personal divinity. Topics include: Summary of last week’s class The three levels of realization The Bhagavad Gita and questions of religion The challenges of a personal divinity Stream Subscribe [iTunes] [Stitcher] [Hipcast] […]
March 29, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 2 – Mahabharata
To give the Bhagavad Gita context, in week 2 we talk about the Mahabharata and the backstory of events leading up to the Bhagavad Gita. Additional topics include: Summary of last week’s class The first teaching of Bhagavad Gita – you are not the body Perspectives on the nature of the self Stream Subscribe […]
March 22, 2018 – Long Island Series, Week 1 – Introduction
This is the first podcast in a new series, Gita Wisdom: Long Island Series, recorded at EverVeda. In this class, we cover the following: Why read the Bhagavad Gita? How to chant verses from the Gita What is bhakti? And we touch briefly on the topics of enlightenment and spiritual progress Stream Subscribe [iTunes] […]
A Conversation About Veganism
New Podcast: A Conversation About Veganism. This special edition is a discussion between David Life, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga; Ray Ippolito, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy for the Catskill Animal Sanctuary; and your host, Joshua M. Greene about the connection between veganism and a yoga lifestyle. Topics include – vegan vs. plant-based diet – vegan companies […]