The Bhagavad Gita
Bring Its Power into Daily Living
Online: Oct 9 – Nov 23, 2024
Find Your Highest Fulfillment
The Gita is a treasure trove of practical tools for the spiritual life. In this in-depth course, Nayaswami Gyandev and Nayaswami Diksha will help you apply those tools to your own life, aided by Paramhansa Yogananda’s powerful Gita insights. Along the way, you’ll also get valuable help from a supportive community of fellow seekers.
This course offers both a Regular track and a Teachers’ track. Both offer an empowering blend of step-by-step methods, deep insights, clear direction, and support from both faculty and classmates.
Anyone is welcome to participate in the Regular track. The Teachers’ track is for certified Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who will do additional coursework to earn credit toward Level 2 teacher certification: more coursework, more interaction with classmates and faculty, and special assignments in teaching elements of the Bhagavad Gita.
Students in both tracks engage in course activities together, although those in the Regular track can proceed at a slower pace if they like. See the FAQs below for more information.
6-Week Online, In-depth Course
Regular track: $350 ($299 early bird)
Teachers’ track: $450 ($399 early bird)
Early bird discount: apply by Sept 23, pay in full by Sept 25
- 11 hours of live webinars, available to watch anytime
- 10 hours of on-demand video
- 15 hours of on-demand guided practices
- Wide variety of interactive experiences
- Extensive written & audio resources
- Personal feedback from faculty
- Lifetime access to course materials
“The Bhagavad Gita is the greatest metaphysical, psychological treatise that was ever given to the world.
It describes definitely, in detail, all the experiences of the spiritual traveler in
the path of emancipation.”
“The Bhagavad Gita is the greatest metaphysical, psychological treatise that was ever given to the world. It describes definitely, in detail, all the experiences of the spiritual traveler in the path of emancipation.”
— Paramhansa Yogananda, Inner Culture, May 1934
— Paramhansa Yogananda, Inner Culture, May 1934
You Will Learn How To:
- Overcome past karma, and live in harmony with the law of karma
- Bring your heart more dynamically into your spiritual quest
- Avoid the mental and emotional traps that can block your growth
- Live your outer life in a way that feeds your inner life—and vice versa
- Use the mind as a powerful tool for inner growth
- Vitalize your spiritual life through the vital practice of yagya
- Transform the habits and tendencies that hold you back
- Deepen your practice of meditation
- Supplement meditation with a variety of other powerful yogic techniques
- Strengthen your relationship with God
- Creatively tailor your spiritual quest to your own unique strengths and goals
- Draw divine grace into all areas of your life
“A new scripture has been born! Millions will find God through this book. Not just thousands. Millions! I have seen it. I know.”
“A new scripture has been born! Millions will find God through this book. Not just thousands. Millions! I have seen it. I know.”
— Paramhansa Yogananda on his Gita commentaries, The New Path
— Paramhansa Yogananda on his Gita commentaries, The New Path
Course Activities
- Deepen your understanding via mini-class videos with Gyandev & Diksha
- Experience the Gita’s teachings inwardly through audio & video guided meditations
- Experiment with Gita teachings outwardly in daily life, and share what you learn
- Explore various Gita topics through Ananda Yoga classes with Gyandev
- Connect with faculty and classmates through weekly “live” webinars (recorded for those who cannot attend)
- Dive into stimulating discussions on important Gita topics
- Solidify your understanding of each lesson via review exercises
-
Further explore key topics through supplemental materials, including
mini-class videos by Swami Kriyananda - Enjoy riveting stories from the Gita’s “parent” scripture: the Mahabharata
- Opportunities for a private meeting with Diksha or Gyandev
You can engage in most course activities at times of day that are convenient for you. Only the webinars take place at fixed times (see FAQs below), and those are recorded for the benefit of those who cannot participate at those times.
Those in the Teachers’ track will also practice teaching each other various aspects of the Bhagavad Gita in conjunction with asana or meditation, after which they will present a short class to a non-classmate. All of this entails making and posting videos online.
“One extraordinary aspect of the Bhagavad Gita is its universality. Whatever the needs of any particular time or people, this great scripture addresses them all from the highest point of view.”
“One extraordinary aspect of the Bhagavad Gita is its universality. Whatever the needs of any particular time or people, this great scripture addresses them all from the highest point of view.”
— Swami Kriyananda, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
— Swami Kriyananda, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
Course Materials
Main Textbook
The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda is clear, practical, and deep. It gives you fresh insights into the universal truths that underlie all spiritual traditions. It also gives you fresh insights into yourself, and how to experience them through the nonsectarian tools of Yoga. Swami Kriyananda, Ananda’s founder and one of Yogananda’s closest disciples, based this book on his years of working closely with the Master and his Gita teachings.
We recommend that you buy the book well before the course begins (it is not included in the course tuition), and read as much of it in advance as time allows. You can receive a 30% discount through Ananda’s publisher, Crystal Clarity: paperback or ebook, or audiobook; use the discount code OWAESSBG30%OFF.
Supplemental Materials (included in your course fee)
Digital version of A Concise Bhagavad Gita, by Nayaswami Gyandev. This short book will make it much easier for you to follow the overall flow of the Gita.
Gyandev’s new, 2-hour storytelling audio of The Mahabharata brings to life important teachings in the Gita, for this captivating tale is a metaphor for your own spiritual growth.
Special articles, audios, and videos by Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda, and other Ananda teachers.
“The Bhagavad Gita teaches that no one can escape action—karma, in other words—by refraining
from action.
But the Gita also teaches an invaluable method for escaping karma.”
“The Bhagavad Gita teaches that no one can escape action—karma, in other words—by refraining from action. But the Gita also teaches an invaluable method for escaping karma.”
— Paramhansa Yogananda, The Essence of Self-Realization
— Paramhansa Yogananda, The Essence of Self-Realization
Meet Your Instructors
Nayaswami Gyandev, PhD, E-RYT 500
Gyandev is director of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation. A Certified Online Instructor, he has been teaching online for more than 12 years. He is also director of Ananda Yoga worldwide and co-directs the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training programs (online and in person). He has been training teachers of yoga and meditation for more than 25 years.
Gyandev is a Kriyacharya (teacher of Kriya Yoga), and he is known for his clarity of presentation, deep insights, high energy, kindness, and humor. He has shared the yoga teachings for more than 35 years with people from all walks of life, and from all over the world. In addition to one of your course texts—A Concise Bhagavad Gita—Gyandev has written Guide to the Mahabharata and Life of Sri Krishna, available at WaysToFreedom.com.
A co-founder of Yoga Alliance, Gyandev has authored four books (including Spiritual Yoga: Awakening to Higher Awareness) as well as numerous video and audio products. From his base at The Expanding Light Retreat in Northern California, he also teaches across the U.S., and in Canada, India, and Europe.
Nayaswami Diksha, E-RYT 500
Diksha is a senior faculty member of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation and E-RYT 500. An experienced online instructor, she directs both the online and the in-person versions of Ananda Spiritual Counseling Training, and she co-direct Ananda Meditation Teacher Training.
Diksha has been practicing and sharing the yoga teachings for more than 30 years, and training meditation and yoga teachers for more than 20 years. A powerful and dynamic woman of great warmth and humor, she is gifted in both intelligence and intuition. In addition to teaching online and at The Expanding Light Retreat in Northern California, she has shared yogic teachings across the U.S., and in Canada, India, and Europe.
A native Israeli, Diksha moved to the U.S. in 1990. She brings a broad background to her teaching—from physical wellness to Ayurveda to profound spiritual understanding. Above all, she awakens in her students their own inner wisdom and the will and clarity to make positive changes in their lives.
“The Gita says, ‘This is the way you are all seeking! Nothing sought in any other direction will ever give you what you yourself so ardently desire!’”
“The Gita says, ‘This is the way you are all seeking! Nothing sought in any other direction will ever give you what you yourself so ardently desire!’”
— Swami Kriyananda, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
— Swami Kriyananda, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
FAQs
Regular track: Open to everyone; no prior experience with the Bhagavad Gita is required. If you have some meditation background, you will get more out of the course.
Teachers’ track: Open only to certified Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers who wish to earn credit toward Level 2 certification.
Regular track: You can participate at any pace or level that you prefer. Each discussion forum, however, is active only during the week in which it opens.
Teachers’ track: You must stay current, week by week, throughout the course.
Regular track: You can participate as much or as little as you like, and at any pace that you like. Full participation is likely to take 3–5 hours per week.
Teachers’ track: Expect to spend 7–8 hours per week; some of that time is guided sadhana practice.
No, the course is always open. The only “live” events are webinars, which will take place 10:00–11:30 AM, Pacific Time on the following Saturdays: October 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23.
Webinars will be recorded for the benefit of those who cannot participate “live.”
Absolutely! Plentiful interaction is a best practice in online learning, and this course is built upon best practices. Everyone can become part of the supportive learning community that forms while enjoying discussions, weekly “Gita experiments” in practical spiritual living, a Q&A forum, and webinars.
Those in the Teachers’ Course will also have special small-team discussions, receive faculty feedback on their weekly “Gita experiments,” practice teaching classmates about the Bhagavad Gita online, and receive faculty feedback on their final video in which they teach a non-classmate.
Yes, and we recommend it! The course website will open two weeks before the official start of the course. You can also buy your textbook, The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita (see “Course materials” above). It’s a substantial book, so read as much of it as you can before the course begins. It will be especially helpful if you read chapters 5–16 of this textbook. Pre-course reading is not required, but you’ll be happy if you’ve done it.
All participants get lifetime access to a Review Course that includes all of the recorded audios and videos, as well as any supplemental materials.
Only those in the Teachers’ track need to make and upload videos, including Zoom videos in Gallery view. That’s not difficult, but it might take some practice to get it right. So we recommend that, prior to the course, you practice making and uploading a Zoom video (in Gallery view) to YouTube, and/or find someone who will help you.
No, not unless you are in the Teachers’ track and have no computer (only a tablet or mobile phone). A “Basic Plus” Zoom account costs only $7/month, and it would be needed during only one month of the course.
Yes. Those in the Teachers’ track can receive 30 hours of continuing education credit with Yoga Alliance. Other RYTs can receive fewer credit hours, and should discuss details in advance with Gyandev (see “More Questions?” below).
More Questions? Please email us.
“A study of the Bhagavad Gita is of little use unless it is applied in practical life. The vastness of the inner import can only be understood when we know how to apply it in various phases of life.”
“A study of the Bhagavad Gita is of little use unless it is applied in practical life. The vastness of the inner import can only be understood when we know how to apply it in various phases of life.”
— Paramhansa Yogananda, East-West, August 1932
— Paramhansa Yogananda, East-West, August 1932
Take Your Spiritual Life to the Next Level
Your own direct experience will help you discover the power of the Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom—and your own high spiritual potential.
Credit toward Certification and Continuing Education
- Through this course, Ananda Yoga® and Ananda Meditation® teachers can earn credit toward Level 2 certification. certification.
- Yoga Alliance RYTs can receive up to 30 hours (more in some cases) of continuing education credit. See final FAQ above.
Special Discounts
- Couple’s discount: If one person enrolls in either of these two tracks, their partner can enroll in the Regular track at a 50% discount. Please indicate this on your application.
- Past attendees of The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita at The Expanding Light Retreat can receive a 50% discount.
Another Way to Explore the Gita
The Bhagavad Gita
Bring Its Power into Daily Living
6-Week Online, In-depth Course
Dates: Oct 9–Nov 23, 2024
Regular Track: $350 ($299 early bird)
Teachers’ Track: $450 ($399 early bird)
Early bird discount: apply by Sept 23, pay in full by Sept 25
Keys to the Bhagavad Gita: A Different Approach
Available anytime • Self-paced
“Keys to the Bhagavad Gita” is primarily a self-study course, so you can proceed at your own pace.
It covers much of the same material as “The Bhagavad Gita” course, but it has no guided practices, interactive group activities, weekly practical experiments, or special projects. Also, it does not offer credit toward Level 2 certification for Ananda Yoga and Ananda Meditation teachers.
