Bhakti Collective

Tag: MatthewDasti

  • Sri Ramanuja on Karmayoga

    Sri Ramanuja is one of the great teachers of karmayoga, the discipline which unites action and contemplation. In his commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, Ramanuja argues that karmayoga is essential for all yogins, and is especially important in preparing oneself for higher practices of bhakti. I have translated the following commentary, which provides insight into a…

  • A Review of Stephen Phillips’ Yoga, Karma and Rebirth

    Phillips rightly criticizes the trenchant world-denying escapism of classical Yoga, illustrating that it is both philosophically and yogically problematic. He rather embraces what is best in tantric thought: the idea that yoga practice is not merely meant for escape, but at best, to positively transform the world (especially ourselves as parts of the world).

  • New Yoga Sutras Translation

    Those who are familiar with Edwin Bryant know him to be both a scholar and a serious yoga practitioner. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (North Point Press 2009) is the product of both “sides” coming together in a wonderful way.

  • The World as the Body of God

    Sri Ramanuja, the great theistic Vedantin, provides a model of the relationship between the world and God which sees the world as God’s body. I thought we could explore that notion here. In Bhagavad-gita 10.20 Krishna says I am the self, Arjuna, dwelling in all beings. In his commentary on this text Ramanuja suggests that…

  • Creation, Karma, and Intelligent Design in Nyaya and Vedanta

    The phrase “intelligent design” gets a lot of currency these days, from both its champions and foes. Its proponents contend that the organized structure found within the universe indicates an intelligent cause whereas its opponents claim that undirected natural processes are enough. I have heard some people claim that the notion of intelligent design is…

  • Indirect Perception Of Brahman in the Bhagavad-gita

    ESSAY: Matthew Dasti’s paper Indirect Perception of Brahman in the Bhagavad-gita uses a contemporary account of indirect seeing to examine religious experience within the Bhagavad-gita.

  • More Thoughts on Ritual

    I want to continue the conversation about ritual with Michael and Kaustubha (link 1, link 2). The basic idea which is being discussed seems to be that in bhakti, the purpose of religious ritual is fully realized. Without the spirit of devotion and, as Michael stressed, the proper mindfulness about the purpose of ritual, it…

  • Meditation as Sacrifice

    Translations from the Svetasvatara Upanisad and the Bhagavad-gita

  • “A Person is Made of Desire”

    A Translation of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5-6 (Madhyandina Recension)