The 7 Gitas That Pioneered Counseling

By Mahesh Prabhu

Revisit Counseling with 'The 7 Gitas That Pioneered Counseling' by U. Mahesh Prabhu. This enthralling text invites you to explore the seven Yogic texts nestled within Valmiki's Ramayana and Vyasa's Mahabharata, collectively referred to as the Gitas, from a counseling perspective. Within the pages of this remarkable book, you'll gain insights int

• Language: English
• Publisher: VIVASWAAN
• Release date: Jan 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869116796

Book preview

The Seven Gitas That Pioneered Counseling

The Seven Works on Yoga That Pioneered Counseling Even Before It Had a Name

U. Mahesh Prabhu

The Seven Gitas that pioneered Counseling

The Seven Works on Yoga That Pioneered Counseling Even Before It Had a Name

U. Mahesh Prabhu

www.vivaswaan.com

Designed & published by VIVASWAAN

Formerly Vedic Wisdom Press

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Vedic Management Group LLC, Sheridan (WY) USA.

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Copyright © U MAHESH PRABHU 2022

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The Limitations of Modern Counseling

The Bhakti Movement

The True Knowledge & Wisdom of the Vedas

The Etymology of Gita

Yoga & Gita

Yoga was never Pilates.

Gitas as the origins of Counseling

Chapter 1 The Essence of Gitas

Difference between Sadhak & Yogi

Why Gitas Are Timeless

Mind is Never Menial

Mind is Never the Self

The Vairagya of a Rishi

Chapter 2 The Vashistha Gita

The Story of Valmiki

The Dawn of Rama

The Counseling Approach of Vashistha

Emotions are Symptoms, Never Problems

Dialogues. Not Monologues.

Wisdom. Cure for Mind’s Ailments.

Detachment & Mind

Self-Knowledge

Overcoming the Fear of Death

Presence of Stupidity is Absence of Wisdom

Desire, Bondage & Pain

Ignorance and Misery

Real and Unreal

Wisdom & Introvert

Detachment, Meditation & Desires

Mind is Bondage. Consciousness Liberates.

Mind Creates Your Reality

Focus & Relevance of Vashistha Gita

Chapter 3 The Ashtavakra Gita

The Story of Ashtavakra

The Counseling of Ashtavakra

Key Differences Between Data, Information, Knowledge & Wisdom:

The Problem with Modern Education

Raja Janaka’s Dilemma

Embracing Freedom & Liberation

Happiness is Now

Pleasure and Pain are of the Mind.

The Cause for Pain & Suffering

Chapter 4 The Vidura Gita

Who was Vidura?

The Prelude to Vidura Gita

The Good Counseling

The Importance of Wisdom in Counselors

Importance of Compassion

Pandita As an Ideal Counselor

Wisdom

Impartial Judgement

Prudence

Honesty

Equanimity

Frank, But Fair, In Speech

Reasoning

Mind is Where the Pain Resides

Knowledge is not Wisdom.

Deceit

Desirable and Undesirable

Friends & Foes

Control Over Speech

Forgiveness & Forgiving

Undeserving Counselors

The Six Detrimental Tendencies

Hatred for the Wise

Ten Kinds of People in Eternal Distress

Calmness in Distress

Importance of Culture

Importance of Truth

Introspection and Self-Control

Conclusion

Chapter 5 The Krishna Gita

The Consciousness is in all beings.

Detachment from Outcomes

The Essential Objective

The Nature of Reality

Relationships and Attachment

Faith & Doubts

Meditation

Anger

Responsibility & Accountability

Death

Religion & Cults

The Power of Consciousness

Chapter 6 The Bhisma Gita

Why Bhishma

The Shanti Parva

Importance of Stories in Counseling

Helping the Thankless

When a Yogi Drank Wine

Understanding the Virtue

Faith in Humanity

Hiss & Bite

The Last Attachment

Logic of Wisdom

Keeping Promises

Renunciation isn’t the only way to Wisdom.

Conclusion

Chapter 7  The Vyadha Gita

The Story of Vyadha  from Perspective of Counseling

Self-Reflection and Self-Identity

Overcoming Barriers

The Role of Unexpected Wisdom

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

Responsibility and Blame

The Parable of Bhagiratha and Tritala

Compassion and Ethical Choices

Holistic Well-Being

Conclusion

Chapter 8  The Avadhoota Gita

The 24 Gurus of Avadhoota Dattatreya

Importance of 24 Gurus from Counseling Perspective

Earth

Air

Sky

Moth

Sun

Pigeon

Python

Sea

Moth

Elephant

Ant

Fish

Pingala

Arrow Maker

Playful Boys

Moon

Honeybee

Deer

Bird of Prey

Maiden

Serpent

Spider

Caterpillar

Water

Conclusion

Introduction

What exactly is counseling? Where did it begin, according to modern academia?

Counseling today is a professional, therapeutic process that involves the trained assistance of a counsellor or therapist to help individuals or groups address and overcome various personal, emotional, psychological, or social issues. The goal of modern counseling is to facilitate personal growth, self-understanding, and positive change in the lives of the people seeking help. It typically involves discussions, problem-solving, and the exploration of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

The history of counseling can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where people sought guidance and support from religious or spiritual leaders, philosophers, and wise individuals within their communities. These early forms of counseling often incorporated religious or moral beliefs into the guidance provided.

In modern academia, the formal development of counseling as a distinct profession can be attributed to various historical and intellectual influences:

1.   The emergence of psychology: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the development of modern psychology as a scientific discipline. Psychologists like Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, and Abraham Maslow contributed to understanding human behavior and developing therapeutic techniques that would later influence counseling.

2.    Vocational guidance and education: Counseling also evolved in response to the growing need for vocational guidance and career counseling in the early 20th century. Often regarded as the father of career counseling, Frank Parsons played a significant role in shaping this aspect of counseling.

3.  Mental health movement: The mid-20th century witnessed a significant expansion in the field of mental health, leading to the development of psychotherapy and counseling as distinct professions. The American Counseling Association (ACA) was founded in 1952, and the American Psychological Association (APA) established its Division of Counseling Psychology in 1945.

4.  Research and professional organizations: Counseling became increasingly formalized and professionalized with the establishment of academic programs, licensing requirements, and professional organizations. Various counseling approaches and theories were developed and studied, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic approaches, and more.

5.  Ethical and legal standards: The establishment of ethical codes and legal standards for the practice of counseling also contributed to its professionalization and recognition as a distinct field.

Today, counselling is a diverse and multifaceted profession, encompassing various specialties such as mental health counseling, school counselling, marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, and career counseling, among others. It continues to evolve with ongoing research and the development of new therapeutic approaches to address the complex needs of individuals and communities.

The Limitations of Modern Counseling

The major problem with all these developments is that they have a very flawed view of the Mind. Most therapists today have no clear understanding of the Mind and most confuse it with the Brain. The brain is a tangible organ. We can scan it through X-rays, and we can even assess its neural functions. But the Brain can never be the Mind. How so? That is because the modern studies of the brain have been consistently based upon the idea that all the elements do exist even in a dead body – but then there is something in a dead body that doesn’t exist – life, feelings, pleasure, and pain. If the elements of the brain outline by modern science were indeed the mind – how is it that even when the brain is there in a dead body – it cannot feel a thing?

The Vedic sages or the Rishis often aligned the brain with the body. For them, the two were the single component. They called it Shareera. The Mind was called Mana. The Vedic Sanskrit word Mana is the root word Mind. Yet neither the Shareera nor Mana was our true self according to these Rishis. That which is our true self is called Atmana. It is important to know the etymology of the word Atmana which is made of two roots Vedic Sanskrit word Aat meaning Beyond and Mana implying the Mind.

What lies beyond the mind? Most often do not know. Many do not even care. And those who seek to find that often get stuck in various cults and groups that claim to follow the Vedic philosophy but make people just a minion in their larger part of existence thereby getting them deluded in their petty affairs of the cult while being subservient to their so-called Gurus. So please do not akin my work to these Hindu cults and religions.

It may help to note here that the word Hindu is not found in any of the Vedic texts. It has Persian origins. It was taken from the word Sindhu the river until which Persians had some success in raiding and ruling albeit for a brief period. Zend-Avesta the holy book of the Parsis mention the word Hapta-Hindu which is yet another Persian adaptation of the Vedic Sanskrit word Sapta-Sindhu which means seven rivers that was of great importance and therefore revered by Vedic Indians. These seven rivers were:

1.         Ganga

2.       Yamuna

3.        Saraswathi

4.       Narmada

5.        Kaveri

6.       Godavari

7.        Kshipra

Most interpretations that are peddled today as Vedic knowledge and wisdom are 7th-12th Century CE interpretations of the Bhakti Movement.

The Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement was a significant religious and social movement that emerged in India around the 7th to 12th centuries CE, although its influence continued into later centuries as well. The term "Bhakti" derives from the Vedic Sanskrit word for devotion. The movement claimed to signify a deep, personal, and devotional approach to Vedic practice. This movement emphasized the worship and devotion of a personal god or deity.

Key features of the Bhakti Movement include:

1.  Emphasis on Devotion: Bhakti saints and proponents stressed the importance of a heartfelt and personal connection with the divine through loving devotion (bhakti). This devotion was considered more essential than logic and it often failed logical interpretations of the Vedic Rishis.

2.  Rejection of Caste and Social Barriers: The Bhakti Movement is claimed to have challenged the rigid caste system and social hierarchies of medieval India which had nothing to with Vedic interpretation of Varnashrama Dharma which was essentially Class. Bhakti saints are often claimed to have preached equality and rejected discrimination based on caste, gender, or social status. Yet the very saints were elevated to the state of god/demi-gods today.

3.   Vernacular Languages: Instead of Vedic Sanskrit of Vedic Sanskrit texts, the Bhakti Movement propagated their teachings in the vernacular languages of the region for greater reach and for efficient conversion. This made religious ideas more accessible to the common people.

4.  Regional Variations: The Bhakti Movement had regional variations and influences. Prominent Bhakti saints emerged in different parts of India, such as Ramanuja in the South, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Bengal, and Kabir and Meera in North India. Each had their unique interpretations and practices. But important to know that these saints have near to no idea of Vedic Sanskrit language and therefore no clue about the deeper teachings of Vedic philosophy.

5.  Syncretism: Bhakti saints often incorporated elements from various religious traditions, including Islam, and Sikhism, into their teachings. This syncretism aimed to emphasize common spiritual values and bridge religious divides. Yet they had little to no teachings of Vedic philosophy which was essentially about the understanding of one’s true conscious self or Atmana before anything else.

6.  Bhajans and Kirtans: Devotional songs and hymns known as "Bhajans and Kirtans" became only tools for spreading the Bhakti message and living a Bhakti life. Completely ignoring the original teachings of the Vedas on Consciousness, Mind, and the world at large. Instead of finding sustainable solutions people were told to seek the grace of god who alone could solve their problem. Encouragement to learn Vedic texts were thus lessened and the original teachings were lost to time. Yet, the Bhakti saints, at least most of them, claimed to have followed the original Vedic teachings of the Rishis while doing their Bhakti.

7.    Influence on Later Movements: The Bhakti Movement played a crucial role in shaping the religious landscape of India. It influenced other religious and philosophical movements, such as the Sikh faith and the Sant Mat tradition, which then focused the object of Bhakti from Gods/Demigods to the founders of these cults thereby completely depleting the teachings of the Rishis and their timeless teachings.

8.  Social Impact: Besides its religious significance, the Bhakti Movement is claimed to have a profound social impact by promoting social reform, inclusivity, and the rejection of oppressive practices. It contributed to the democratization of spirituality in India. Yet what is never factored in is their role in demeaning or reducing the teachings of the Vedas and other Vedic texts to objects of worship and revere with little to no focus on understanding their knowledge and wisdom.

The Bhakti Movement remains a vital aspect of Indian culture and spirituality, and its teachings continue to inspire people seeking a more personal and devotional path to the divine. It is integral to India's religious history and has left a legacy in the region's religious and cultural traditions. Most of the teachings that are called Vedic are this Bhakti and the interpretation of the Bhakti is sold as Jnana Yoga where the focus is still on delusion faith in something that one cannot question.

The True Knowledge & Wisdom of the Vedas

The Vedic texts are essentially centered around the realm of Ataman and Mana. As already mentioned, Atmana is something that is beyond Mana or Mind. But unlike the Bhakti era interpretations, Atmana is not a Soul. Soul is a semantic concept. It is an unseen or unquantified part of the human body that goes to heaven or hell based on compliance with the commandments of religious texts. But Atmana is the real you – it is your conscious self.

Atmana is what remains after that body and mind of you are gone. And understanding this Atmana is a key factor in living a life of peace and prosperity. As you shall see in the coming chapters this conscious self of ours, even when ununderstood, misunderstood or ignored, continues to be the reason for everything around it. Even though one cannot prove it scientifically, it will be the basis of all scientific as well as unscientific endeavors of humanity. 

It is only when we understand this Atmana that we can understand our Mana or Mind and eventually escape all pains in life. That’s right the only place in our existence where all the pain and pleasure exist is the Mind – never the Brain.

As the various Gitas teach us it is only when we realize our Atmana, we can control the Mind and the world outside of us. When the Atmana takes charge of the Mana or Mind it comes to be known as Chitta the life energy that has the power to change the world for good. It might help to know here that it is the same Chitta when went into China and became Chi.

In the later Vedic Sanskrit texts particularly Valmiki’s Ramayana and Vyasa’s Mahabharata, we find certain passages where the great Rishis and Yogis counsel people going through troubled mental circumstances which can certainly be regarded as the oldest recorded counseling sessions. They are often referred to as The Gitas.

The Etymology of Gita

The term "Gita" is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word "Gita, which means song or poem." These songs do not have an independent existence themselves but are a small, but important part of the greater Vedic epics namely Valmiki’s Ramayana and Vyasa’s Mahabharata. There are seven important texts known as "Gita," each of which presents profound teachings and insights through counseling where a realized sage explains ways to overcome emotional pain and life’s challenges through counseling.

The first two Gitas come from Valmiki’s Ramayana and the next 5 appear in Vyasa’s Mahabharata. The Gitas of Valmiki’s Ramayana includes Vashistha Gita a.k.a. Yoga Vashistha and Ashtavakra Gita. The 5 Gitas of Vyas’s Mahabharata are Vidura Gita a.k.a. Vidura Neeti, Krishna Gita a.k.a. "Bhagavad Gita," Bhisma Gita, Vyadha Gita and Avadhoota Gita. It is important to note here that Vidura Gita appears in the Udyoga Parva chapter of Vyasa’s Mahabharata whereas Krishna Gita appears in the Bhisma Parva chapter of the same epic. The Bhisma Gita however is yet another name for the Shanti Parva chapter of Vyasa’s Mahabharata which is by far the biggest chapter of the world’s largest epic. The Vyadha Gita and Avadhoota Gita appear within the Bhisma Gita.

Yoga & Gita

The Gita is