I never saw myself as a philosopher, nor did I embark on a spiritual quest with profound questions. Yet, as a child, I felt drawn to the Bhagavad Gita, certain that it held the essence of life. When I received a copy at my high school graduation, I eagerly opened it—only to find I understood nothing.
Determined, I turned to other books and attended discourses by well-known swamis, but their teachings left me more confused. Seeing others nod in understanding while I struggled bruised my ego, but I refused to give up searching for the meaning and message of the Gita.
Several years later, I attended a lecture by Gautamji, a senior disciple of Swami Parthasarathy. His clarity was a revelation. For the first time, I realized my problem wasn’t the text—it was my approach. His words sparked a desire to learn, and I took a leap of faith. Gautamji often quotes Joel Goldsmith: “Faith is a belief in a thing which I do not know until I come to know what I believe in.” That quote became my anchor. I started studying seriously, using structured books and an e-learning platform to guide me.
The teachings spoke of Turiya, the ultimate state of happiness, and how to evolve into that perfect state. Initially, it felt abstract, but with Gautamji’s practical examples, it became real. Concepts I once dismissed as vague now made sense. My faith transformed into conviction—grounded in logic, reason, and lived experience.
Swamiji’s Vedanta Treatise expanded my understanding, revealing how limited my earlier perspective had been. I still don’t fully know, but I believe—and that belief fuels my journey. Understanding is not instant; it takes commitment, effort, and patience. True knowledge is not just about learning—it is about becoming.
One verse from the Bhagavad Gita that deeply resonated with me is Chapter 3, Verse 28:
“But he, O Mahabaho, with true insight into the distinctions of gunas (qualities) and actions, knowing that gunas (as senses) abide in gunas (as objects), is not attached.”
This teaching helped me recognize that people act according to their innate nature—often helplessly. With that insight, I became less judgmental of the behaviors of friends and family, which brought me an immense sense of peace and acceptance.
If you would like to learn more about the Vedanta and Gita classes taught by Gautamji, register here or visit the website for more information. These classes are free, available live and recorded online, and open to anyone interested in learning this ancient wisdom.
“The blog above are thoughts of a student of the online weekly lectures”
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