VAJRA – Building an Antifragile Life

VAJRA – Building an Antifragile* life 

(Based on teachings of Bhagavad Gita and Yoga sutras)

*-term to mean beyond resilient used by Nassim Taleb

In the continuum of fragile to antifragile, what is fragile cracks, what is resilient bounces back but what is antifragile grows stronger and better, in the face of adversity?

About the course: The timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga sutras show us how to be antifragile while having an open, strong, and loving heart.

This six-week course was done in collaboration with Arsha Kula Foundation who also organizes the World Yoga Festival in Reading, UK.

Topics covered:

1. The journey from a victim to a survivor to a warrior to a seeker to a master.

2. Seeing the connection between what we do and what we really want

3. Seeing the framework of dharma and karma for a life of fulfillment and contribution.

4. Recognizing the three blessings each is given every moment and bringing them to life

5. Honoring the five sets of relationships all of us have

6. Developing the dynamic balance of doing and accepting – life competence and acceptance

7. The Vedic vision of God, you, and the world

8. Developing an open, strong, and loving heart

9. The change you wish to be and make in the world

10. The discovery of yourself as Antifragile

Structure of the Course – Spread over six hours of live video recorded classes, this course has many assignments inbuilt into it to allow for practice and assimilation of key learning.

The recommended pace is to listen to one hour class a week, do the assignments that offer insight, and spread it over six weeks.

Key takeaways from participants  

Janet Barlow, UK – Swamini B – many thanks for your course! I really like your way of explaining things. I really appreciate your perspective, combining psychology and Vedanta. Particularly how a perspective rooted in dharma can be an alternative/adjunct to seemingly endless therapy…many thanks also to Ram for organizing these seminars

Penny White, UK – I have found the course helpful in leading me back to myself. It has been a touchstone as my son and I navigate a changed and changing world. Having this time to reflect has reminded me of my strength, and that strength requires flexibility else we break. I am conscious of a well of patience I didn’t know I had!
The length of the course was perfect, at six weeks. I liked having homework to do, to guide and focus my attention.
Your lightness of touch is a gift, I think. You make enlightenment sound possible for ordinary folk.
Thank you for all that you have given.

Beth (my late daughter) left written on a post-it note by her bed this reminder from one of the Hobbit films: “Saruman believes it is an only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
Setting out on my adventure now, to give small acts of kindness and love

Louise Preston, UK – I really enjoyed your course on how to build an anti-fragile life.  I have not studied Vedanta previously, and I found the course to be an accessible introduction to the philosophy of Vedanta, which has left me wanting to study more.  Your teaching is clear and informative, and by applying the philosophies to relatable circumstances in life, it is easy to understand.   You have such warm energy, the talks each week felt more like talking to a good friend than sitting through a lecture.

So many of the things that you spoke about, and the way to approach them in life, resonated with me deeply.  My last 4 years have been very challenging and I have not really taken the time to step back and process things on an emotional level, and this course helped me to do that.  In our assignments, you asked us to consider what, on the surface, were straightforward questions, but they gave an opportunity for real introspection and reflection.  Sharing our assignments with the group – although scary at first! – worked so well.  However challenging I have found the last 4 years, reading about the challenges that others have faced, put my experience into perspective and made me deeply appreciate the support system that I have.

I have come away from the course feeling positive and confident in how to approach challenges in life going forwards.  You are a wonderful teacher and I hope to have many more opportunities to learn from you in the future – I will be looking out for more courses!

Rikesh Vaghela, UK – I have enjoyed this short course very much. A very insightful view into the world of Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita has helped me delve deep into myself and realize the potentials I have. Swaminiji has an easy-to-understand way of explaining and is very approachable in clearing up misunderstandings.

Diana Brangwyn, UK – I would just like to say how much I enjoyed your course. It was a wake-up call. So often life sweeps us along, but this was an opportunity to analyze and assess. It has been of great benefit to release old outmoded ideas, and move on. I’m so much happier now, more relaxed, trusting, and accepting. Thank you.

Melissa Bell, USA – When I recall a previous time in my life that was very challenging and shifting, I remember feeling helpless, weak, confused, and alone. I am typically a very strong, independent, stable, and hopeful person but still, I buckled under the pressure and could not face it in a way I would have hoped I could. Next time I am in one of these situations I know I will be able to recall the valuable lessons in this course to remind myself that I am not helpless, I am not weak, and I am not alone at all.

Something that really stood out to me about the course that I loved, is that it didn’t require me to become anyone else or change myself to find this new confidence, it helped show me the many anti-fragile qualities I did not even realize I already had all along. I have already seen this courage shine through in a couple of situations since the course ended just one week ago today.