The Science of Self Realization The Essence of Bhagavad-Gita

Contents Introduction - The Search for Happiness Does GOD exist? What is Scripture? Who is GOD? Who am I? The Science of the Soul. Why bad things happen to good people? - The Law of Karma. The Science of Yoga and the topmost Yoga system Practical application of the Bhagavad-Gita 2

The search for happiness All activities are performed in hope of happiness Many anxieties: College education Job Family Retirement DEATH (the biggest anxiety) Always looking for relief Vacation --- a break! As humans, we can question the cause of our unhappiness – is there permanent happiness?

Humans vs. Animals Four (4) things in common: Eating Sleeping Mating Defending Humans do these activities in more sophisticated manner – but activity is same Finer/more refined intelligence – allows us to question & search for true happiness Example: Story of Alexander the Great Use human intelligence to solve the real problems of life, otherwise we are misers? 3

Real Problems of Life Their nature (not relative – applicable to ALL): Common to all No one wants it No one can avoid it Birth – Disease – Old age – Death! For example, child born crying Other reasons which prevent happiness…

Threefold miseries Adhyatmika (body & mind) Adhydaivika (material nature) Adhybhautika (other living entities) We look towards science for solutions… 4

Scientific Solutions False promises of happiness …eg Dale Carnegie Most scientific solutions are not permanent solutions: Cosmetic industry (old age) Cryogenics (death – looking for eternal life) Depression pills even teenagers are using it While generally helpful, some scientific solutions are worse than the actual problem: Cars – pollution Industries – oceans flooded with wastes Cell phones – make lives busier / can cause cancer False promises of happiness …eg Dale Carnegie 5

Happiness from the Senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin) Temporary and Disappointing (i. e., piece of gum) Sense gratification is not the source of happiness eyes - moth ears - deer nose - musk deer tongue - fish touch - elephant 6

The Goal of Human Life To inquire about – A permanent solution to the real problems of life Permanent relief from all miseries An eternal life of bliss, peace and happiness Therefore inquire about - the root cause of all causes the source of everything 7