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, beginning on Chapter 2:49, Swamiji discusses Self-surrender, and the tangles of the mind preventing this. He also talks about the sequence of obstacles which leads to a spiritual downfall.
These spiritual teachings will affect your spiritual growth and your practice of yoga and meditation.
Here are the Gita verses (2:49–2:62) covered in this talk:
Action is inferior by far to buddhi yoga. Seek refuge in enlightenment; pitiable are those who are motivated by action’s fruit. (2:49)
He who abides in the buddhi casts off here in this world both good and evil deeds. Therefore, yoke yourself to yoga. Yoga is skill in action. (2:50)
Those who are truly established in the buddhi, the wise ones, having abandoned the fruits of action, freed from the bondage of rebirth, go to the place that is free from pain. (2:51)
When your buddhi crosses beyond the mire of delusion, then you shall be disgusted with the to-be-heard and what has been heard. (2:52)
When your buddhi stands, fixed in deep meditation, unmoving, disregarding the Vedic ritual-centered perspective, then you will attain yoga (union). (2:53)
Arjuna said:
What is the description of him who is steady of insight, of him who is steadfast in deep meditation, of him who is steady in thought? How does he speak? How does he sit? How does he move about? (2:54)
The Holy Lord said:
When he leaves behind all the desires of the mind, contented in the Self by the Self, then he is said to be steady in wisdom. (2:55)
He whose mind is not agitated in misfortunes, freed from desire for pleasures, from whom passion, fear and anger have departed, steady in thought–such a man is said to be a sage. (2:56)
He who is without desire in all situations, encountering this or that, pleasant or unpleasant, not rejoicing or disliking–his wisdom stands firm. (2:57)
And when he withdraws completely the senses from the objects of the senses, as the tortoise draws in its limbs, his wisdom is established firmly. (2:58)
Sense-objects turn away from the abstinent, yet the taste for them remains. But the taste also turns away from him who has seen the Supreme. (2:59)
The troubling senses forcibly carry away the mind of even the striving man of wisdom. (2:60)
Restraining all these senses, he should sit in yoga, intent on me. Surely, he whose senses are controlled–his consciousness stands steadfast and firm. (2:61)
For a man dwelling on the objects of the senses, attachment to them is born. From attachment desire is born. And from thwarted desire anger is born. (2:62)
Here is a summary of the Gita Talk Beginning with Chapter 2:49
- The Concept of Self-Surrender: Swami Nirmalananda explains how self-surrender frees one from duality and attachment.
- Union with Brahman: Krishna speaks of uniting with Brahman through calm and non-attachment.
- Action and Non-Attachment: Stressing performing actions without attachment to avoid creating binding karma and to achieve enlightenment.
- Intellectual Clarity: Conflicting scriptural interpretations can confuse, but true wisdom clarifies.
- • Meditation for Self-Realization: Constant spiritual practice is the means of experiencing one’s true self.
- • Identifying an Enlightened Being: Arjuna asks for signs of one united with Brahman; Krishna describes inner and outer characteristics.
- Attributes of Enlightenment: Krishna discusses traits like inner bliss, no fear or anger, as indicators of enlightenment.
- Desire and Enlightenment: True enlightenment involves leaving desires behind, not just avoiding them.
- Mind’s Challenges: Swamiji talks about the mind’s tendency to stray from spiritual paths.
- Sensory and Mental Control: It is important to controlling senses to prevent attachment and addiction.
- Emotional Reactions: Thwarted desires lead to anger and confusion, disrupting wisdom.
