Sixth
Discourse – The Yoga of Meditation
Only
a purified mind, one free from desires, can engage itself in constant
meditation on the Atman. Desire gives rise to imagination, which drives the
Soul into the field of action. Therefore, none can realise permanent
tranquillity of mind without renouncing desires.
All
the lower impulses of the body, mind and senses must be controlled by the power
of the higher Self. Thus, one becomes united with God, seeing God in all beings
and objects and is perfectly harmonised.
Lord
Krishna proceeds to the practise of meditation:
The
aspirant must select a secluded spot where there is no likelihood of
disturbance. He should sit comfortably erect on a stool or on the floor, but
not tensed. He should fix his purified mind on the Atman by concentrating
between the eyebrows or the tip of the nose.
Non
participation in sexual activity conserves and transforms vital fluid into
spiritual energy, giving immense power of concentration. The aspirant must
practise moderation in eating, sleeping, recreation etc. In time, he will
gradually transcend the senses and intellect and merge himself in the blissful
Atman. In this state, the Yogi no more descends into ignorance, delusion and
does not relish any more the pleasures of the senses.
Arjuna
then inquires of the fate of that aspirant who fails to realise the Supreme, in
spite of his faith and sincerity. The Lord tells him that the accumulative
power of his Yogic practices will assure him a better birth in the future with
more favourable conditions for spiritual success.
Lord
Krishna concludes that the Yogi who has attained union with the Lord is
superior to the ascetics, the men of book-knowledge and the men of action, as
they have not transcended ignorance and merged in the Self.
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