Homeward Bound...dealing with Grief

“For certain is death for the born And certain is birth for the dead; Therefore over the Thou shouldst not grieve.”

--Bhagvad Gita

Sitting yet again at the Munich Airport...the sense of hopelessness has dulled. The only realization is that life as I know it has changed...I carry with me my father's ring (it is older than I am), his favorite shawl (a gift from my sister-in-law A) and an unfinished Bhagvad Gita course ( 18 chapters). I would be lying if I say I am ok...I have a 12 hour journey ahead of me and have passed the past 12 hours reading the Bhagvad Gita (truth be told...something I haven't paid a lot of attention to in the past).

Dealing with grief I was aided in my journey by something I read in Chapter 3 - The Path to Self Knowledge

The negative influence of grief in the Bhagavad-Gita is expressed by Arjuna who, while facing a huge battle in  dialogues with Krishna.

Krishna’s reply to him, which sets the basis for the philosophical foundations of the Bhagavad-Gita, is the Gita’s form of renunciation. The Bhagavad-Gita completely sets aside the human act of grief. Krishna says, “Your words are wise, Arjuna, but your sorrow is for nothing. The truly wise mourn neither for the living nor for the dead. And “Death is certain for the born. Rebirth is certain for the dead. You should not grieve for what is unavoidable.” The Atman survives several births and deaths and that is the only reality.

According to the Bhagavad-Gita it doesn’t matter which path one takes to realize the Atman within; it may be the “yoga of right action” or contemplation. The important point is that the seeker understands the futility of grief...Profound thoughts yet not quite internalized....