Jack Hawley - The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners

Copyright 2001 by Jack Hawley, Ph.D.

Preface to paperback edition copyright 2011 by Jack Hawley, Ph.D.

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bhagavadgita. English

The bhagavad gita : a walkthrough for Westerners / Jack Hawley.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-57731-147-7 (hardcover : alk. paper)

I. Hawley, Jack. II. Title.

BL1138.62.E5 B43 2001

294.5'92404521dc21

First paperback printing, March 2011

ISBN 978-1-60868-014-6

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

An engrossing and enlightening version of this finest source of spiritual teaching in the world, [this book] expands the possibilities of conveying its wisdom even further into the Western world, as a greater number of people will now be able to readily grasp its message.

Working under the premise that there needed to be a truly different style of Gita, organizational consultant Hawley created this prose version to speak afresh to Westerners. Hawleys rendition succeeds in its objective of providing clarity and flow to the famous Indian poem. Hawley writes more as a disciple than a scholar, lending a devotional authenticity to the text.

This well-researched composition stays true to the Vedantic philosophies that were first written down more than two millennia ago, while still providing an easily navigable text that will remain lively and interesting to Westerners well into the future.

The Bhagavad Gita is unique among the great scriptures of the world as its appeal transcends the barriers of time and space. Dr. Jack Hawleys walkthrough is not a mere translation; it is a sincere sadhaks presentation of the message of the Gita in a simple but insightful manner so that its perennial message goes home to Western readers. No one can walk through this book without getting a deep insight into these everlasting principles given to all of humanity.

Reading this has been a soul-stirring, treasure-laden stroll. Eastern philosophy is captured in a lucid but profound manner for the pragmatic present generation of readers in the West, and in all countries.

Dr. Jack Hawley has written this concise translation with his whole heart and mind obviously immersed in these timeless, practical, nonsectarian teachings.... He has beautifully preserved the meaning and intent of the verses in a simple, easy-to-read, and understandable language. Jack has a good grasp of even the most difficult passages. This is indeed a Bhagavad Gita worthy of belief and respect.

I floated through it.... It filled in the whole picture for me, where I had just bits and pieces before.

Its neither too cryptic nor too elaborate, but strikes a precise balance. There is not one sentence too many or too few. The broad, penetrating chapter on meditation is just perfect!

This rendition of the Gita will hold the readers interest from the first to last page.

Stupendous. [Jack Hawley] has done a wonderful job.

A great book which has truly affected my consciousness in the last few days as I read it. Thank you, Jack Hawley, for bringing this message more powerfully into my life. There is magic in it.

This is the Sanskrit symbol for Om, the primeval sound of the universe, the basic sound from which all else comes. Om is in every place, mind, and heart.

Often spelled Aum, it is usually spoken almost under the breath and pronounced in the consciousness as well as in the mouth as Omm.... The small silence at the end is as important as the sound itself.

It is said that the recitation of Om while contemplating the mystical symbol will help to calm even the roaring waves.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER TEN The Divine Glories (Vibhuti Yoga)

When Mahatma Gandhi the great-souled one, the leader of India who nonviolently freed his country from British rule died, a now famous photograph was taken of all his possessions: his simple white cotton piece of clothing, his glasses, his sandals, and his well-worn copy of The Bhagavad Gita. It was a book he read daily, a source of endless inspiration to him.

The Gita is read daily by millions of people in India, as well as throughout the world; it is in the homes of literally hundreds of millions of people, and is considered by a great many to be the finest source of spiritual teaching in the world.

When Jack Hawley presented us with this extraordinary prose version of it, which tells the story so clearly and beautifully, everyone in our company felt as if we had been given a great gift one we feel blessed to be able to publish and share with the world.

There is endless wisdom and inspiration in these pages. The Gita has proven itself over hundreds of generations to be one of the greatest gifts ever given to humanity, one of the greatest scriptures ever written.

Read it straight through, as a magnificent story filled with great teaching. Or simply open it to any page at random, and ponder the words, applying them to your life experience.

This is more than a book, more than the writings of any mortal man or woman. It is Divine revelation, filled with the words of a vast, illuminated soul and these words can lead you to a far greater life experience, and even to illumination itself.