Because it teaches you about yourself -- your real self, your Atman.

Studying the Gita is nothing but learning about yourself and God and eventually becoming One with God. To learn about God means first to know and then become God. To become God means to eradicate self-love, the ego, selfishness, and possessiveness. This level of humility is essential.

The process is slow and requires a lot of practice, dedication and sincerity, but is not impossible. Any accomplished athlete or artist must keep practicing or he falls out of shape very fast. Similarly, the pursuit of enlightenment needs lots of discipline and a firm resolve not only in the beginning but until the goal is reached.

It would be nice if you could go to a secluded place and learn from a saint. Or, you can stay with your family, fulfill your obligations and learn along the way. Either way, it requires total dedication, lots of worldly sacrifices and constant practice. The reward? Even the impossible transforms into the attainable.

Learning is an art. It should be adopted properly and under an expert's supervision. The teacher can be a human, the teachings of a saint, or Mother Nature. Unfortunately, most people are after only materialistic comforts. They don't have any time or desire for spirituality. The entire process consists of talking and listening but leads to nothing because there is no practicing.

Learn from a teacher instead of listening to a talker. Any serious learning requires a genuine desire to acquire that skill. Then a search begins for a capable teacher willing to accept you as their disciple. He may first analyze your background, examine your physical and mental condition, and test your resolve. Next follows a course custom made for you. The teacher develops a unique one-to-one relationship with his student. He knows his strengths and weaknesses. There evolves a rapport between the student and teacher. They spend countless hours together, practicing and re-practicing. The routine lasts for months and sometimes for years. As the time lapses, the student emerges as a protégé of his own master. Yet, he remains humble and eternally grateful to his mentor.

This applies even today when someone wants to learn a rare form of music or the fancy footwork of classical dancing. There is only one student and one teacher in spirituality. History is full of such examples: Shivaji and Ramdas, Gandhiji and the Gita, Arjuna and Krishna, Uddhava and Krishna. So, stay away from crowds. There is no spirituality where gatherings are large and noisy.

Let's examine activities like dancing, singing, reading, etc. These can be performed to make money, earn prestige, and fulfill your lust, or they can be offered to please God. They can lead to God only when a pure heart and pure faith supports them. Mirabai's spiritual singing and dancing differs vastly from Pingala's similar but lustful actions. Similarly, emotions and knowledge can either be pure or very worldly. It is, therefore, most important to learn how to discriminate between Truth and untruth, Real and unreal. The intense desire followed by virtuous life then helps us to Self-Realization.

Is it really necessary to have worldly knowledge, wealth, etc.? They often nurture pride and vanity and in the long run are more harmful than beneficial. No wonder all the real saints firmly forsake these temptations from their lives. None of them attended Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, Yale, Oxford or Stanford. Wisdom can't be taught through establishments. It has to be acquired through your own experiences whether direct or indirect.

Learning the Gita is not child's play. One must have an intense desire to learn and practice. If you're sincere, you will find a teacher to guide you.

Do not be tempted by the confusion created by the mystical powers of meditation and psychic powers. Start by thoroughly cleansing your life. Purify your mind, body and intellect. Live a simple life. Abolish hatred, jealousy and dislike. Love everyone alike. Associate with wise and noble. Read and contemplate spiritual teachings. Help the unfortunate to help yourself achieve your goal.

Your transformation begins the moment you begin to pay attention to these spiritual commandments. As your worldly desires evaporate, you will get a glimpse of True Joy, Peace and Bliss. You start to slowly but steadily merge with your True-Self.

If you pay attention to the means, the end will take care of itself.

--Swami Radhanandaji