Bhagavad Gita Ponderings

Krishna

For me Insight is an all knowing, a deep understanding within the soul. It's a deep understanding of the meaning and workings of the world & ideas. In the case of the Bhagavad Gita, Insight would be an 'see the light' of the lessons of Krishna.

In the past when people lived closer to the earth and nature there may have been more direct experiences with the power and mystery of nature. Nowadays, only a few pay attention to phenomenons like Super Moons (March 19, 2012) and Blue Moons (Aug. 31, 2012). Sunsets and weather are taken for granted. There may be a  detachment from the pure magic taking place everyday; the force of nature. Although, we are drawn to the beach, forest and mountains for recreation.  At times we search among the consumer jungle for something to fill the gap. The spiritual hole.  However, keep in mind many people would claim an affiliation with a church or belief of some kind.  I feel that participation in ritual and rites of passage is important and there is a chance this is absent for some people.

Participation in religious or spiritual organisations would be determined on whether the person is willing to follow the rules and codes of conduct. My lack of willingness to do this has restricted me from becoming a Krishna devotee or a Christian for example. Luckily Eckhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Landmark Education and Unitarian Universalists, for example, offer access to the ideologies without committing to the doctrine. We also have the opportunity to feast from a buffet of choices and choose what suits us since we have access to most holy texts.
"... re-examine all you have been told at school or church, or in any books, and dismiss whatever insults your soul.” - Walt Whitman

I think few people would be willing to give up the attachments as Krishna requests because the outcome is not tangible enough. However, our access to the objects of desire is limited financially and interest. I sometimes claim not to have to earn so much because I don't want yachts for example.
This topic deserves further pondering...

Perhaps in the past the holy texts were stories and lessons shared among the tribe that outlined rules codes of conduct and ideas that were relevant according to the time in history and geographical location.  Today we have access to so much information and the tribes have moved all around the world sometimes far from their places of origin. In Vancouver, people of different cultures and beliefs live among each other in relative peace. We are bound by laws and social etiquette as a common consensus of behaviour. In the West, at least, ideas about woman's rights and roles, for example, have evolved. I think that modern social etiquette is rooted in the ancient spiritual teachings. A modern focus is on the common thread of the teachings not so much the political content.

The Nature/Nurture debate has tried to figure out why we are how we are. I have surprised myself with my unempathetic attitude about homeless people; it's their choice, their lot in life and there's lot's of resources to help. Our roles could be determined by how evolved we are as we travel through the various states as outline by Krishna.