This course is part of Sastra-Caksus, Year 2 and consists of 25 lectures, available on:

http://seminary.bhaktivedantaacademy.com/classes/noi-thematic/

Given in Bhaktivedanta Academy, Sridham Mayapur November-December 2011

The following are lecture notes briefly delineating its contents.

• Steadiness in one's own position is piety, deviation from that is impiety.
• In the constitutional state of the living entity prema is the only prescription, and envy is the only prohibition.

• The practice of renunciation is primarily symptom of vanaprastha. Sannyasa means there is indifference.
• One following jnana-kanda is still following varnashrama, but their focus is on the detachment from fruitive activities.
• Those who are above the varnashrama still practice it for preaching.
• Doing nothing is prohibited.
• When the conditioned soul gives up bad habits and sinful activities, he advances to the level of karma-kanda. Such person should stay within varnashrama dharma and try to advance to the level of jnana.
• Everyone is supposed to come to the platform of sannyasa, either in form or mentality, but mentality is more important.
• One can rise above varnashrama by discussing the difference between matter and spirit, not what is practical and what is not.
• Spiritual and material world function on the same terms. Therefore one does not have to change one's conditioned nature, one simply has to purify it.
• The mode in which we perform certain activity is determined by our attitude, not by the activity itself.
• 32:00 The mind of a vata constitution person is more peaceful when they are moving.
• Force is only there so it can be used when there is a need. If army is there, things are peaceful. Switzerland is an army.
• The duty of one who has attained the level of jnana-kanda is to remain fixed in knowledge and aspire to attain taste for devotional service.
• Giving up attachment for karma and jnana, one gradually reaches bhakti; crossing various stages of bhakti, one reaches prema.
• As one's need for fruitive activity is lessening, one should leave behind the activities meant for that.
• If one is advancing to a higher level, but still attached to rules of the lower level, that is niyamagraha.
• Somebody complained to HH Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Maharaja that there is too much illicit sax in his kirtans.
• Prostitutes are not engaged in illicit sex, those who go to them are, just as gambling house owner is not gambling.