WHEN MIND MEETS WISDOM

Chapter 4: The Science of Self-Realisation and Meditation Part 1

The Bhagavad Geeta is a way of life. It is the secret which even the knowledgeable longs to understand and follow in their life. It offers wisdom in every aspect of life. In chapter 6 of the Geeta "Dhyana Yoga". Lord Krishna talks about the importance and valuable teachings about meditation, self discipline and guidance in the journey towards realising who you truly are.

4.1 Meditation as Transformation: A Journey Within

In chapter 6 verse 1 of the Geeta, Lord Krishna first illuminates who actually is a true "Yogi" or "Sanyasi" (renunciates).

Lord Krishna says those who perform their prescribed duties and responsibilities without the desires of the results. One who performs their actions without the subsequent desires of the fruits of actions are described as the real yogis by Lord Krishna. However those who merely perform sacrifices such as Agnihotra yajna or abandoned bodily activities are not important that they would be called as a real yogi or sanyasi.

Who exactly has the right to call himself a true yogi or a true sanyasi?

There are various concepts where a person who only eats fruits is known as an Elevated Yogi, There is another who only subsists on milk and hence known as higher Yogi, However a person who is entirely dependent on the air to breath would definitely be a god realised.

However Lord Krishna diminishes all these concepts and states that irrespective of all this a person only by his external act is not said to be a sanyasi henceforth who devote their actions to the supreme god and so no dwell for the fruits of actions would be a true yogi of sanyasi.

The Essence of Meditation

We have heard about sanyas and yog and commonly made the mistake of differentiating them. But in reality sanyas and yog {meditation) are one of the same kind. One thing which we need to keep in mind is that no sanyasi can attain sanyas without renouncing the worldly desires.

So does it mean one who has renounced is said to be a true sanyasi?

The answer for the same is No, Renunciation alone can't make you reach your goal. Now the question is a big Why? By using the term renunciation, It basically means that an individual has stopped chasing the materialistic stuff because you understood the fact that these things are mere illusion and are only meant for temporary happiness and The main reason for our existence on this planet is ultimately god realisation early or late doesn't mean you have become a true sanyasi, for that instance one needs dedication and patience.

You must be wondering how one can attain god realisation. Before getting to know the path to attain god one needs to understand that there are mainly two types of renunciation told by lord Krishna to attain god - phalgu vairāgya and yukt vairāgya.

When the worldly objects are considered as maya, it is suggested to sacrifice these materialistic things and to attain vairagya. It is a bit unstable and can be reversed to gaining attachment towards material energy. In Phalgu Vairagya people often will suggest that you sacrifice the material energy such as money, luxury and comfort items etc. Whereas Yukta Vairagya is a type where each and every object is considered as a blessing of god and to use these things in service of god. Yukt Vairagya is a bit more stable form of renunciation for example if we talk about money, then in yukt vairagya it is suggested to use money in favour of god and perform good deeds and for betterment of the society.It is very common that if a person chooses to follow phalgu vairagya then they might end up their wish for renunciation and vairagya and would again will be attached to the materialistic stuffs.

Lord Krishna says that when an individual is neither attached to the material energy nor he has desires for the fruits of action that individual is said to be elevated in the science of yog. This is possible when an individual does not carry desires attached to this world, possessing luxury items, desires to carry out trending and try out trendy stuffs etc. where people try to create circumstances where they could enjoy their possessions and can access luxury items they wish for. When the human mind no longer craves for fancy items, and the mind is now stabilised on their single goal and purpose of life to attain self realisation and god then that individual is said to be elevated in the science of yog.

The power of our Mind.

In chapter 6 verse 6 Lord Krishna stated that those individuals who have won their war and have all control over his mind, for them their m9ind work as their own friend but those who failed to do this and do not have control over their mind, for their mind is said to be their enemy. It is said that our biggest enemy is our own lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion which is filled inside us. Those who are able to overcome this falsehood will be able to establish control over their mind. Lord Krishna says that these are the real enemies which one needs to destroy more often than the outer ones.

Our vedic scriptures state that illness is more often not only caused by various bacteria, fungus, viruses or pests . Our internal enemies are also one of the major causes of one's downfall which covers our wisdom and hence we are not able to take decisions with our full capacity and rightly. Rather than these outer enemies which destroy our body, then internal enemies and pests are even more life threatening. The best example we could fit here is of The eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhisthira.

Although Yudhisthira was considered the wisest of all and the man of righteousness but during the game of dice when Yudhisthira's dharma and wisdom was shadowed by a layer of greed and envy. His ability to make decisions through his wisdom deteriorated. Therefore our internal enemies are our biggest enemy which needs to be vanished as soon as possible.

Yes, there is a thing we are forgetting, along with being an enemy, it is our best friend as well. Those who take good care of their mind and feed only good things into it and throw out the bacteria like lust, anger, envy and virus like greed and illusion for them their mind worlds as their friend and well wisher.

The correct way to meditate according to Geeta.

Verse 10 chapter 6

yogi yunjita satatam atmanam rahasi sthitah

ekaki yata-chittatma nirashir aparigrahah

Now, let's explore this verse in depth:

Yogi's Focus on the Supreme Self:

The term "yogi" here refer to someone who do yog that is one who meditates for their betterment and rising above their capacity to attain spirituality.

Thereafter yogi should always direct their attention to find a way through their meditation to attain the supreme.

Seclusion and Solitude:

The verse emphasises the need for seclusion. Why?

As we all know, one who lives in this illusionary world grabs an attachment towards the worldly desires and activities. Which ultimately tends to distract our mind and focus from our ultimate goal. Therefore to dedicate time to god and maintain our whole focus on god it is important to dedicate a secluded practice. (sādhanā).

This could be understand by the below example:-

When we take a glass of Milk represented as worldly desires and mix them with water, that is our Mind, then the water, our mind loses its identity.

Therefore it becomes important for people who wish to attain spiritual growth to detach from these worldly desires. When i say detach from worldly desire i do not mean to leave your family and take Sanyas I simply meant to surrender all your actions to god and do not wish for the fruits of action.

It is hence stated under chapter 6 of verse 10 that one who has attained the state of yog should constantly practice meditation in seclusion and gain capability of controlling their mind and body. Now some of you may think a person who has finally attained the state of yog, who finally knows how to do meditation, why does he need to perform it daily. If we talk about a singer, then a singer is not a singer by birth. He became a singer by his ability, skills and practice. Therefore practice makes you reach a higher realm more often and quick.