The sixth 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, Swamiji discusses how to fix our minds on God, and the specific methodology to do so. He talks about Soham Yoga and why it is relevant to the teachings in the Gita.
Here is the Gita verse (2:48) covered in this talk:
Steadfast in yoga, perform actions abandoning attachment, being indifferent to success or failure. It is said that such evenness of mind is yoga. (2:48)
Summary of This Gita Talk on How to Fix Your Mind on God
- Spiritual Guidance: Swami Nirmalananda highlights Krishna’s teachings on self-realization and focusing on the Supreme Lord.
- Self-Realization: He discusses recognizing one’s true self with the mantra “I am that.”
- Mantra Practice: Introduces the Soham mantra, detailing its use in meditation and daily life.
- Philosophical Foundations: Swamiji cites ancient texts and yogic teachings supporting the mantra’s use.
- Mantra’s Simplicity: He encourages practical application over theoretical understanding.
- Cultural Perspectives: He contrasts Eastern practice-oriented spirituality with Western theory.
- Application in Life: Swamiji explains how to integrate the Soham mantra into everyday activities.
- Philosophical Depth: Compares the mantra’s impact to significant scientific principles for contrast.
- Experience vs. Theory: Swamiji shares some personal anecdotes on how practice leads to spiritual growth.
- Karma Yoga: He discusses Krishna’s teaching on acting without attachment to outcomes, embodying yoga’s essence.
- Translation and Interpretation: Swamiji talks about the challenges in translating spiritual texts.
- Core of Yoga: Describes Soham Sadhana as central to all yogic paths.
- Encouragement: Swamiji ends the talk by recommending embracing the practice of Soham Sadhana for spiritual freedom.
