For Absolute Beginners, an Easy to Read Guide to the Gita

By: Edward Viljoen on Thursday, January 10, 2019

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My new book is for is the reader who has always wanted to explore the Bhagavad Gita, but feels daunted by the unfamiliar culture of Hinduism.  Perhaps you know very little to nothing about the Bhagavad Gita, or maybe you're one of those readers who picked it up and got lost by the end of chapter one.  There is a good reason for that.  The Gita is filled with unfamiliar cultural references, difficult to pronounce names and mythology from another culture.  

In the Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English you will find an easy entry to a world of spiritual inspiration and wonder.  

https://tinyurl.com/bhagavadgitaforbeginners

I used the original paraphrase of the Bhagavad Gita contained in this book  to teach a 3-week class "The Bhagavad Gita for Absolute Beginners."  This updated edition includes new sections about devotion as a spiritual practiced, the role of selfless service in living a mindful life, topics covered in the class,and much more.

Pre-order information is available here.

From the Publishers:

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not merely a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language, the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

Part of the Mahabharata, the Gita is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. Its verses contain some of the key ideas of Hindu philosophy—Dharma, Moksha, and various yogic practices. Originally written well over a thousand years ago, the Gita has proven to be a timeless source of wisdom, inspiring philosophers and revolutionaries alike in the millennia since it was written.

In addition to the retelling of the text, this edition includes a character list, a glossary of essential terms, and chapters exploring the back-story from the Mahabharata and the impact and meaning of the Bhagavad Gita itself. The Bhagavad Gita is an approachable way for today’s readers to engage with one of history's most precious spiritual epics.