Chapters 7-11:
Kauravas vs. Pandavas
- What they represent in us - divine impulses in us vs. negative tendancies
- Duryodhana representing our mind under stress and its reaction to those around him and the world outside
- The choice brought before them - the backing of Krishna vs. large army with full weaponry
- About perception and response
- Flow is objects (stimuli) > senses > mind > intellect > mind > organs of action > actoin
- Arjuna's perception is blurred and his response is paralyzed
- The importance is in the Mind and Intellect - the mind should not be agitated and there should be clarity within intellect (we must be able to see it for what it is). When the mind is agitated, reason will not be heard, and not enough information/incorrect information would be sent to the intellect in making judgement.
What the Conches represent
- When we declare something, we need to send it out in a loud sound so it sends a very strong message - the power is in the exclamation (i.e. when the Pandavas blow the conch, it shows 'we are ready')
- Provides self-reassurance
- All of our thoughts have engery - sends ripple effects. The conch is the medium to amplify the message, which empowers you and all around you.
Other main themes in these chapters include:
- The nature of the Ego - identification with "I" and "My"
- How do we find our dharma and oiur purpose? It is more clear to Arjuna as his role is defined as a kshatriya. But in modern day, roles are many, choices are many, so how do we get tuned into our life's purpose?
