Realization of the Supreme Self: The Bhagavad Gita Yoga-s

A practical training method, and not merely a text of revelation and worship  such is the true status of the ancient Sanskrit text Bhagavad Gita. The special contribution of the Gita is yoga, practical methods for expanding individual consciousness to realize the kingdom as the supreme Self. The Gita explains why the difficulties are inevitable, and gives practical methods for penetrating to the truth beyond them. In the Indian style, the inspired texts are collated and explained by a commentator, who puts them into precise statements of principle: applications to individual lives are supplied by the living oral tradition. This book presents the Gita yoga in the light of explanations by Sankara. The Gita can be misread, as Sankara says. It is not a gradual ascent to the final devotion of the soul to a Lord high above. On the contrary, the first Lord: they teach the undivided Supreme Self. This is a special method of teaching in the Gita, which the present author calls Teaching Down. It is explained here, with other examples from the Gita. The Gita is directed at the vigorously active man with responsibilities in the world. The actual practices of yoga are given for meeting the shock of the world-energies. The whole basis of Gita yoga is confirmation through experiment, not mere exhortation. This highly significant book presents the Gita as a training manual for spiritual practice.