Bhagavad Gita:
The Impact of Selfless Action
7-week book study/course
with Heather Felty
Are you ready to:
> Face any challenge in your life?
> Learn how to control your heart?
> Learn the secret to a productive and happy life?
> Sense a true connection to the divine?
> Learn how meditation puts you in control of your life?
Read the Bhagavad Gita with Heather, and you will achieve all of this and more!
Bhagavad Gita (Sanskrit for “Song of God”), a poem-like retelling of an epic war in India, was first written down in the 1st or 2nd century CE. The story is told as a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna (an incarnation of the god Vishnu).
Arjuna is distraught thinking that he will have to kill his family and friends in this battle in which he is obligated to participate. The book starts with him throwing down his weapons, and crying to Krishna that he will not fulfill his duty. The rest of the story unfolds the wisdom Krishna imparts to Arjuna along the epic battle to keep Arjuna on track to fulfill his duty.
One single text, only 700 lines long, encapsulates, embodies, and expounds the principle themes of Hindu thought and practice. While many Hindus use the Bhagavad Gita as their guide through life, like many Christians use the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita imparts UNIVERSAL truths that provide a positive influence for living a purposeful, joy-filled, and action-taking life. The characters represent different aspects of our life; we can learn many lessons through understanding what their roles signify and use elements of the story to apply to our own lives to make excellent decisions.
This class has been created for those NEW to the Bhagavad Gita. No prior knowledge is necessary to participate. The course is also suitable for those who have already read the book, but are looking to understand the deeper nuances of meaning contained within it.
First lesson includes a full introduction to the Bhagavad Gita; subsequent classes will have a reading assignment of three chapters (about 25 pages total) per week.
Lesson Plan
Week 1 – Introduction to Bhagavad Gita
Week 2 – Chapters 1-3 / Karma Yoga and the importance of action
Week 3 – Chapters 4-6 / Dhyana Yoga and the importance of meditation
Week 4 – Chapters 7-9 / The Art of Letting Go
Week 5 – Chapters 10-12 / Bhakti Yoga and the importance of devotion
Week 6 – Chapters 13-15 / Prakrti – Source of the Material World
Week 7 – Chapters 16-18 / Moksha and the release from the cycle of rebirth
Required reading:
The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners
by Jack Hawley
- Cost for the course is $75.
- Required book is ~$15 from amazon.com
- Course is offered over Zoom.
- Class sessions will be recorded and accessible to those enrolled in the course for one year. This is helpful if you must miss a live lesson and would like to catch up, or if you just want to review the material again and again.
Send an email to Heather with any questions.
Heather Felty
Your Course Instructor
Heather Felty has been an avid student and practitioner of yoga philosophy for 25 years. In 2019 she became a 230-hour registered yoga teacher, and has since enjoyed sharing her knowledge and insight with her students. She currently teaches Chair Yoga via Zoom. She feels blessed to be able to support others on their journey to find inner strength and ease in all areas of their lives.