Hari OM,

Summary of 11/11/ class.

1. We will now start chapter 13.  before we do so it is important to
re visit the 3 sections of the Bhagawad Geeta.  Chapters 1-6 deal with
all things to do with the individual or the jiva.  Who am I, what is
my role, w hat should I be doing what is right action,  how should I
do it etc are covered.  Chapters 7-12 deal with what we see around
ourselves- the creation, the Jagat. and finally Chapters 13 -18 deal
with the connection between me the two.

2.  With this back ground it is interesting to look at the very first
verse of Chapter 13 where Arjuna asks Lord Krishna for an explanation
into  concepts/terms.  The field and the knower of the field, Matter
and Spirit and Knowledge and that what ought to be know.  It is said
that this verse was not a part of original text. however without this
verse it would be almost impossible to understand the chapter.  The
opening verse sets up all the concepts that the chapter deals with.
And in a sense also summarizes the connection between the Jiva and
Jagat.

3.  Lord Krishna answers the question by saying that "This Body" is
the field and the One who knows it, is the Knower of the field.  The
term This Body is very loaded.  The body here signifies the Body Mind
Intellect the ego  all our emotions, our sense organs and organs of
action,  It also signifies the five elements and the objects of our
senses.  Which in effect means that every thing that we can perceive
and know and see is the field.  Even that which has a potential to
manifest is the field.

4.  Lord Krishna also says that the He himself is the knower of the
field. One way to understand this is that any thing that can be an
object of perception is the field and the Subject that finally
perceives it all is the knower of the field.  When I see some thing
the question to ask is who is seeing, are the eyes seeing,  is the
brain seeing,  who is that is effect is really seeing.  That sentience
(knowling / awareness principle)  that allows me to perceive or do do
any thing,  that is the Knower and every thing else that is an object
is the field.

In the next class we will look at Knowledge and that what ought to be
know.  Knowledge here signifies those values that allow us enable us
to experience that what ought to be know.  there are a total to 20
values that Lord Krishna elaborates.

see you all on Sunday.