The thirty forth 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 6:30, Swamiji discusses the false secular/spiritual divide, Arjuna’s question about the restlessness of the mind, and shares a story of Yogananda from someone who knew him, plus other aspects of Krishna’a teachings in the Gita.
Here are the Gita verses (6:30-6:36) covered in this talk:
He who sees me everywhere, and sees all things in me–I am not lost to him, and he is not lost to me. (6:30)
He, established in unity, worships me dwelling in all things. Whatever be his mode of life, that yogi ever abides in me. (6:31)
He who judges pleasure or pain by the same standard everywhere that he applies unto himself, that yogi is deemed the highest. (6:32)
Arjuna said:
This yoga which is taught by you characterized by evenness of mind, I do not see how it endures, owing to the mind’s restlessness. (6:33)
The mind is truly unstable, troubling, strong and unyielding. I believe it is hard to control–as hard to control as the wind. (6:34)
The Holy Lord said:
Without doubt the mind is hard to control and restless; but through practice (abhyasa) and dispassion (vairagya) it is governed. (6:35)
I agree that yoga is difficult to attain by him whose lower self is uncontrolled; but by him whose lower self is controlled by striving by right means, it is possible to attain it. (6:36)
Here’s a summary of Swamiji’s talk on “Seeing God Everywhere”:
- Divine Immanence: The talk begins with the concept from the Bhagavad Gita that one who sees God in everything and everything in God does not lose connection with God. This reflects a spiritual perception where even ordinary experiences can reveal the divine.
- Transformation Through Spiritual Practice: The story of Elwood Decker illustrates how experiences like listening to spiritual music or witnessing sacred dance can open one’s consciousness, allowing them to see divinity in mundane settings, like in a diner with an ordinary waitress and cook.
- Unity and Holiness: Being established in unity means recognizing the one reality behind all things, viewing life as a manifestation of the spirit. This perspective changes how one interacts with the world, seeing all beings and actions as part of a divine play.
- Equal Judgment of Pleasure and Pain: The Yogi applies the same standards to all experiences, evaluating them through the lens of spiritual growth rather than personal pleasure or pain. This leads to a higher form of discernment.
- Mind’s Restlessness: Arjuna questions how one can maintain evenness of mind given its natural instability. Krishna acknowledges this difficulty but offers hope through:
- Practice (Abhyasa): Consistent spiritual practice can stabilize the mind.
- Dispassion (Vairagya): Developing detachment from transient desires and impressions.
- Control and Discipline: The mind, likened to the wind, is hard to control, but through disciplined practice and right means (right conduct, meditation), one can achieve mastery over it.
- Effort Over Time: The journey to spiritual realization isn’t immediate but requires persistence. The phrase “doing, doing, done” emphasizes the importance of continuous effort in spiritual practice.
- Practical Advice for Spiritual Growth: The talk concludes with practical steps for those seeking spiritual advancement, like obtaining a visa to travel to India, metaphorically suggesting that spiritual journeys require concrete steps and commitment rather than just contemplation or superficial interest.
This talk emphasizes the holistic view of seeing divinity in all aspects of life, the challenges of mind control, and the necessity of dedicated spiritual practice to achieve and maintain this divine perspective.
