Bhaava – The Dance of Emotion

Bhaava – Discover the dance of emotion in Vedanta

We have a mixed relationship with the landscape of our emotions.

We are moved by compassion, excitement, patriotism, and most importantly love. We revel and thrive in these emotions.

And yet, when we are faced with sadness, hurt, guilt, we almost wished we did not have these emotions at all.

We wished we could choose the emotions we want but we can’t.

We wished we did not have certain emotions but we do.

Some of the questions we often ask of experts and mull over ourselves, is

How do I control my emotions?  Why do I suddenly get hijacked by my emotions? Is there a connection between my thinking and feeling? How can I be in harmony with my loved ones? If I am understanding some Vedanta, where is the promised Ananda?

The course Bhaava – Discover the dance of emotion in Vedanta, was conducted in response to these often felt dilemmas and frequently asked questions. It reflects the wisdom of Vedanta and is good preparation for a systematic Vedanta pursuit.

For whom?

Whether you’re a longtime student of Vedanta, an enthusiastic beginner, or somewhere in between, this course will offer you teachings and tools for embracing the entirety of your human experience—including all your emotions. These are teachings that you can listen to again and again over the coming years, focusing on your practice and grounding as you navigate the journey of your life.

The theme song for the course – ‘I hope you dance’ – Lee Ann Womack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMtuygBrDWA

Duration – 4.5 hours

Begin the course NOW by going to the Curriculum section 

Feedback about the course –

Prashanth Mohan, Sydney

Thank you so much for presenting to us this four-session course giving us an understanding of emotions – their origins, effects in our lives, ways of handling, and resolution of it all in the order of Ishwara, thereby giving a relaxed setup to deal with these emotions.

In the course, you repeatedly stressed that no emotions should be rejected, how everything is within the order of Ishwara, how the cycle of thoughts to emotions to beliefs to experiences/feelings happens.

You dispelled a lot of myths surrounding emotions and helped me understand the cognition aspect of it along with beliefs. Jiva Srishti’s homework was very unique and made me introspect really hard on the innumerable emotional universes that I’ve created and entrapped my mind in. The practices that you taught us like the chanting of the mantra to get the mental space to deal with emotions by tapping on to Ishwara’s grace, the way forward in dealing with emotions on a daily basis made the course a user manual for life.

I’m very keen on implementing your teachings, watching the sessions repeatedly and reading the notes and seeing the changes in my life, and also make the lives of other people much better. Terms like empathy, understanding, changing thought patterns are used widely in other areas like psychology or personal development but then, the understanding of Ishwara makes this course very different and wholesome as compared to everything else. Alignment with functional reality, law, what a revelatory concept for me!!!

Nirmala Iyer, UK

• I am trying to learn to communicate better with my family members instead of a complaining tone and be more comfortable with the way I speak without the fear of being judged.
• I am being extra cheerful (though am always with the general public like students/friends).
• The mirror exercise daily has played a big role in the way I speak to others.
• The mantra chanting daily one round (I used to chant once a week this mantra) has helped me too as I contemplate on why I got hurt or angry in situations and how do I control them with awareness.
• I am trying to be a better listener instead of interrupting and hearing from the other person’s view.
• Finally learned that we should not resist these emotions as after all they are an order of Ishwara and dance along with it.

DhanyavAdhah, Nirmala

Lata Tarneja, Mumbai

Thank you so much for taking us and guiding us through this wonderful text called “Bhaava”. It has been an amazing experience and opened us, to all the emotions and the Rasaa.  First-time emotions seem so important and different. Watching your emotions dance with awareness makes it a wonderful experience.  Once again thank you swaminiji

Jennifer Gillis, Canada

Through this study I have resolved that it is a gift for me to live my life with sensitivity; sensitivity need not become sentimentalism.

Maturing in awareness to hold the emotions of myself and others, it is now clear that the rasa experienced is alone Brahman. This only happens when I accommodate and share, with gentleness and care.

The blessing of closeness cultivated through the intimacy of the relationship is the owning up of the oneness that is the glory of my true nature.

Dr. Bina Nangia, Delhi

Before I took these classes, I was managing my emotions and being aware of them. These classes taught me to actually dance with my emotions.

I have learned surrender and gratitude as very important bhaava. When I get more aware of these than all other emotions of anger, sadness, fear, irritation, blame can be experienced fully. There is less resistance, more acceptance of myself and others. Being non-judgmental of myself has released a huge expectation off my shoulders and there’s a feeling of freedom.

Now I look forward to my various emotions throughout the day and love the way they present themselves and how I dance with them. I offer all these emotions at the feet of Ishvara, by Ishvarising them all.