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Season 3 - Episode 20

2.39: The Binding of Action

5 min - Talk
7 likes

Description

James recites and translates verses 2.39 from the Gita. This is the end of the "Sankhya" section of Chapter 2, the underlying theoretical frame for yoga. Now, Krishna asks Arjuna to listen from the perspective of Yoga, and apply the practical application of training one's awareness. How can we be active in the world and overcome the binding influences of action?
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About This Video

(Pace N/A)
Jan 08, 2016
Bhakti, Jnana
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Transcript

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So now we come to something of a momentous moment, really, because this is the kind of end of what they call the Sankhya section, or what's sometimes referred to as the Sankhya section of this chapter. The chapter that we're studying, chapter two, is itself sometimes referred to as the chapter on Sankhya. And this is, we could refer to as the underlying theoretical frame for yoga. So up to now, Krishna's been kind of laying down the theoretical underpinnings of his teaching to Arjuna. He's already told him, don't be scared, no one can touch your essence. And then he's given some really practical pointers that we can recognise as being full of validity. When we know what we need to do, if we don't do it, we're already choosing to suffer, or to invite suffering upon ourselves. And so he says here, EÅ?Ä쳌te bhiá¹­ha sankhe budhir yoget vemam Å?rÄ«á¹?u budhyÄ쳌 yukto ya yÄ쳌pÄ쳌rtha kÄ쳌rima bhandambra haÅ?yasÄ«n. So Krishna says, I've explained this knowledge to you from the point of view of Sankhya. I've laid down the basic theory of what I want to share with you, what I want to teach you. Now, listen from the point of view of yoga, from the point of view of its practical application. When you train your awareness to be able to act with this point of view, supporting your actions, then kÄ쳌rima bhandambra haÅ?yasÄ«n. You will be able to overcome the binding influence of action. And the idea of the binding influence of action and overcoming it is one of the key ideas in yoga. And so in the next section of the chapter, and really from here till the end of chapter two, this is Krishna's main concern. How can you be active in the world, but overcome the binding influence of action? So from here, we'll speak a little bit more about what the binding influence of action really is, how that generally affects us as human beings, and then we'll see what Krishna offers as the means to come out of action. Aum, Aum, Aum, Aum, Aum, Aum, Aum. Shanti, shanti, shanti, Aum. Namaste.

Comments

Caroline S
In my studies so far I have found the Sāmkhya foundation (in simple terms obviously..) a really useful tool I go back to again and again in so many contexts...no wonder it is the foundation of what is to come; and oh yes, the binding influence of action, a tough one that one, and I will take all the help the text offers 
Caroline S
I am also wondering...now the section on Sāmkhya is finished, are we entering a section of awareness - in the sense of hearing / seeing, all the ways that will be described to loosen the binding influence of action and suffering / obstacles?  Because I realise that Sāmkhya is a map, I am sure it's more than that, but for now, and a map is not enough, we need to get in the driving seat and use it..

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