Bhagavad Gita & Yoga

The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture. It contains a profound dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer and spiritual guide. The Bhagavad Gita addresses various philosophical and spiritual concepts, including the nature of the soul.

Whilst yoga is a not a religious practise it is rooted in Hindu philosophy and has many intertwined themes around the soul and spirituality. One key concept is that we are a soul and we have a body. The soul, known as the "Atman," is considered eternal, divine, and indestructible. It is the true essence of an individual and is distinct from the physical body, mind, and emotions. The Atman is often described as a spark of the divine, an eternal conscious entity that transcends the material realm. Our soul is immortal and this is our true-self.

The Bhagavad Gita also emphasises the concept of "Karma" and its impact on the soul. It explains that individuals are bound by the consequences of their actions, and these actions (Karma) have an influence on the soul's journey and evolution. The choices and actions one takes in life can either lead to spiritual growth and liberation (Moksha) or further entanglement in the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). This is similar to yogic concepts such as Yamas and Niyamas which encourage us to be mindful in our thoughts, words and actions.

The word "Yoga" itself means union. In the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga is described as the union of the individual soul (Atman) with the Supreme Soul (Brahman) or the divine consciousness. It teaches that through the practice of Yoga, one can attain a state of unity, harmony, and oneness with the divine essence.

The Bhagavad Gita outlines various paths of Yoga, including Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion), Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge), and ashtanga / dhyana Yoga (the path of meditation). It emphasises that all these paths ultimately lead to the same goal of spiritual realisation and union with the Divine.