The seventh 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 6:01, Swamiji discusses a wide range of topics, including spiritual duty, and the “Nitya Karmas–the duties of householders. He also talks about making the lower self a friend of the Higher Self. He shares a story about the slanders that were directed towards Anandamayi Ma during her life, and how she dealt with them. These spiritual teachings will help your spiritual growth and your practice of yoga and meditation.
Here are the Gita verses (6:01-6:07) covered in this talk:
The Holy Lord said:
He who performs that action which is his duty, not caring for the action’s fruit, is a renouncer and a yogi, not he without sacrificial fire and sacred rites. (6:1)
That which they call renunciation, know that to be yoga. Without renouncing selfish purpose no one whatever becomes a yogi. (6:2)
For the sage desirous of attaining yoga, action is said to be the means. For him who has already attained yoga, tranquility is said to be the means. (6:3)
When he is truly attached neither to sense objects nor to actions, and has renounced all purpose (sarva sankalpa), then he is said to have attained yoga. (6:4)
One should uplift oneself by the lower self; one should not degrade oneself. The lower self can truly be a friend of the lower self, and the lower self alone can be an enemy of the lower self. (6:5)
For him who has conquered himself by the lower self, the lower self is a friend. But for him who has not conquered himself, the lower self remains hostile, like an enemy. (6:6)
The highest Self of him who has conquered himself and is peaceful, is thus steadfast in cold, heat, pleasure, pain, honor and dishonor. (6:7)
Here’s a summary of Swamiji’s talk on “The Yoga of Meditation”:
- Duty and Detachment: The talk begins by discussing the importance of performing one’s duty (swa-dharma) without attachment to the results. This action is described as a means to dissolve karma rather than accumulate it, leading to liberation.
- Yoga and Renunciation: Yoga is equated with true renunciation, where one transcends not just material possessions but the whole world. This renunciation is not about selfishness but about dissolving the ego, which is the root of selfish actions.
- Meditation as Action: Meditation, specifically japa (mantra repetition), is highlighted as the highest form of action. It’s through this practice that one can achieve the highest form of karma, leading towards enlightenment.
- Transformation of the Lower Self: The concept of uplifting oneself by the lower self is introduced. Instead of fighting or rejecting the lower self, one should transform its energy from negative to positive, using it as a tool for spiritual ascension.
- Self-Conquest: The lower self can be a friend or an enemy, depending on whether one has conquered it or not. Conquering means using the lower self’s energies constructively for spiritual growth.
- Steadfastness in Yoga: The Yogi who has mastered the self remains peaceful and unaffected by external conditions like heat, cold, pleasure, pain, honor, or dishonor. This state is described as true yoga, where one’s inner peace is unshakeable.
- Practical Examples: Anecdotes are used to illustrate points, such as the story of Anandamayi Ma, who remained unaffected by slander, demonstrating the peace and equanimity of a true Yogi. Another example involves the transformation of negative urges into positive forces, likened to a story from C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce.”
- Spiritual Responsibility: The talk also touches on the duty of spiritual figures like Ma, who not only benefited her devotees but also took on negative energies to protect others, showcasing the depth of spiritual practice and compassion.
- Meditation Techniques: The technique of Soham japa, aligning the mantra with breath (“So” with inhalation, “Ham” -pronounced “hum”- with exhalation), is emphasized as a crucial practice for achieving yoga.
- Encouragement for Practice: The talk concludes by encouraging listeners to engage with the Gita through Swami Nirmalananda’s commentary, promoting ongoing study and practice for spiritual awakening.
This talk underscores the integration of duty, meditation, and the transformation of personal energies as central to the practice of yoga, leading to inner peace and liberation.
