The fifteenth 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 3:37, Swamiji discusses the effects of spiritual ignorance, the need to control our senses, the different levels of the mind, and why a yogi needs a sense of humor, plus other aspects of Krishna’a teachings in the Gita.
Here are the Gita verses (3:37–3:43) covered in this talk:
The Holy Lord said:
This force is desire and anger born of the rajo-guna, the great consumer and of great evil. Know this to be the enemy. (3:37)
As fire is enveloped by smoke, as mirrors are covered by dust, as wombs cover embryos, in the same way (3:38)
Knowledge is covered by this, the constant enemy of the wise, having the form of desire which is like insatiable fire. (3:39)
The senses, mind, and intellect are said to be its abode. With these it deludes the embodied one by veiling his innate wisdom. (3:40)
Therefore, controlling the senses at the outset, kill this evil being, which destroys ordinary knowledge and supreme knowledge. (3:41)
They say that the senses are superior to the body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind. And much superior to the intellect is (3:42)
The supreme intelligence. Having learned this, sustaining the lower self by the higher Self, kill this difficult-to-encounter enemy which has the form of desire. (3:43)
Here’s a summary of Swamiji’s talk on controlling the senses:
- Understanding Desire and Anger: Krishna explains to Arjuna that desire and anger are the primary enemies that obscure the self, which does not need anything since it is complete.
- Control of Senses: The need to control the senses is a critical step in spiritual practice. This control is not merely about suppression but about understanding and managing the mind and body’s energies.
- Misguided Spiritual Practices: Swami discusses historical examples like the Cathars, who took extreme measures like starvation, illustrating how misunderstanding spiritual practices can lead to harmful or foolish actions.
- Hierarchy of Self: Swamiji discusses the hierarchy of cognition:
- Objects are below the senses;
- Senses are below the mind (manasa);
- Mind is below the intellect or intelligent will;
- Above all is the true Self or Atman, which should ultimately govern.
- Meditation and Spiritual Practices: Meditation is proposed as the key practice for controlling the senses because it allows one to delve into the psychic or energy level of the mind, achieving inner satisfaction and contentment.
- Spiritual Discrimination (Viveka): The use of spiritual discrimination or viveka is emphasized. This involves using one’s higher intelligence to manage lower emotions or desires, essentially talking to oneself like a parent to a child to stop negative or unproductive thoughts.
- The Role of Ego: The ego is identified as the real enemy that creates desire, leading to actions contrary to one’s true self. Overcoming or understanding the ego is crucial for spiritual progress.
- Humor in Spiritual Life: Swami Nirmalananda Giri stresses the importance of humor in spiritual life. He recounts personal anecdotes illustrating how taking oneself too seriously can hinder progress. He advocates for recognizing one’s faults with humor, which helps in not being overly self-critical or egoistic.
- Practical Steps: Swamiji concludes with practical advice on how to approach spiritual life:
- Acknowledge your weaknesses without self-pity or self-aggrandizement.
- Use humor to deal with personal absurdities.
- Understand that spiritual growth is a process of hard work, not miraculous transformation.
Swami Nirmalananda encourages listeners to read his book, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening, for a deeper understanding, suggesting a blend of practical action and philosophical insight for leading an effective spiritual life.
