How to apply Bhagavad Gita in our life and live as per it?

It’s very hard to do this alone. Applying Bhagavad Gita means acting on the knowledge, but Lord Krishna Himself says that, “The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.” Bg 4.17

On our own we may try to figure it out, but if we inadvertently make mistakes how will we know? How quickly should we expect results? We might press ahead hoping for progress, but all the while be making mistakes that inhibit our progress. We might be elated thinking we are on the right track, but later find out our treasured ‘realizations’ are misconceptions.

Living as per Bhagavad Gita is a lifetime commitment. Krishna outlines different yoga processes which exist to give results, results in the here and now, not just in the hereafter. Although Krishna outlines karma yoga, jnana yoga, astanga yoga and bhakti yoga, He comes down heavily in favour of bhakti yoga. He declares it to be easier, quicker, less troublesome and higher than the other yogic processes. Krishna makes it clear that all paths culminate in bhakti yoga.

I don’t want to put you off spending many lives pursuing jnana yoga, or from going to a solitary place, controlling your senses and your breathing while sitting in silent meditation, or worshiping the impersonal aspect of the Lord, but since they culminate in bhakti yoga, they are rungs on the ladder to reach the top.

All the forms of yoga are complicated and intricate. Getting the details wrong slows things down. Getting them right shouldn’t be left to a hit and miss approach. Our application of the principles should be supervised, which is why Krishna instructs us to approach a bonafide guru and take shelter from him. Bg 4.34.

Nowadays it’s rare for a person to be able to stay with their guru under his direct supervision. But that is not an insurmountable problem. Srila Prabhupada worked very hard to set up a society for people interested in applying the teachings of Bhagavad Gita in their life. Some people choose to live constantly within that society, and others live outside and visit. But one of the goals of the society is to help anyone apply the principles of Krishna consciousness, which is bhakti yoga in action. It doesn’t matter if one lives within the society or outside but is connected with it, the important thing is the association of others with the same goal. In the association of others we learn more quickly, we see how others apply the principles and we see the results in their lives. If we have close associates they may point out any mistakes and suggest solutions. Certainly there will be those with whom we can discuss relevant topics.

I’ve chosen to be connected with Srila Prabhupada’s society called Iskcon. There are some things in the management of the society that I disagree with from time to time, but the benefit and help that I’ve got from the association of devotees in Iskcon far outweighs any minor disagreements. My goal is straightforward and nothing I may disagree with regarding the management of the society interferes with that.

So for these reasons I recommend being connected with Iskcon and seeing how its members apply the priceless knowledge of Bhagavad Gita in their lives.

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