The thirty-eighth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India's most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.

In this talk, starting with Chapter 7:04, Swamiji discusses the cosmology, both cosmic and personal, taught in the Gita. He share the various similes about God Krishna talks of.

Here is a summary of the talk "Spiritual Cosmology."

• Cosmic Composition: Krishna describes the universe as composed of eight divisions of Prakriti (primal energy): earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect, and ego principle. These elements make up the "lower Prakriti" or the material aspect of existence.
• Human as Microcosms: Humans are seen as miniature universes, reflecting the cosmos. This analogy is drawn from the idea that just as many bowls of water can reflect the sun, humans reflect the divine, suggesting an intrinsic divine nature within each individual.
• Higher and Lower Prakriti: Beyond the material elements, there's a "higher Prakriti" consisting of all individual conscious entities (Jivas), which are considered the higher creation, directly linked to the divine consciousness.
• Divine Manifestation in Nature: Krishna identifies himself with various natural phenomena: the taste in water, the radiance of the sun and moon, the sound in the ether, and the life in all beings, emphasizing that God is the essence behind all manifestations.
• The Oneness of Existence: The talk underscores the unity of all existence with Krishna stating, "There is none beside me," indicating a non-dual view where all diversity springs from and dissolves back into one divine source.
• Life and Consciousness in All Matter: Everything in the universe is considered alive at some level, from the smallest particle to complex beings. This life is part of the divine journey toward consciousness, with even plants and trees embodying a form of consciousness.
• Respect for Life: There's a strong ethical call to respect all forms of life due to their divine essence. The talk criticizes the act of killing for food or other uses, suggesting a reverence for all living beings, including trees and plants, which have their own forms of spirit or consciousness.
• Spiritual Experience Over Intellectual Understanding: The ultimate truth is beyond mere intellectual grasp; it's about experiencing Divinity directly through practices like meditation, where one can connect with the subtle aspects of existence.
• Nature's Response to Human Actions: Anecdotal stories are shared to illustrate how nature, including trees, can react to human behavior, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world based on respect or lack thereof.
• Practical Application of Spiritual Insight: The talk concludes with a reminder of the need to integrate this understanding into daily life, promoting a worldview where one acknowledges and respects the divine in all aspects of existence.

The talk encourages listeners to delve deeper into these concepts through Swami Nirmalananda's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, advocating for a life aligned with these spiritual truths.