The yoga of meditation

Yoga and meditation – these two seemingly disparate words are dealt with in depth by the Bhagavad Gita in its chapter on meditation, conveying the message that meditation is a conscious, sustained effort at self improvement through rejection of the myriad sensory attractions of the world and focusing the mind on higher philosophical and spiritual pursuits. The Gita makes a distinction between ‘Kama’- desire and ‘Spriha’- excessive attachment to the desired object. 

Desire by itself is not harmful. In fact, it is a necessary part of existence which gives purpose to man’s life. But excessive attachment or greed is harmful, which drives man to commit acts which he would otherwise not do. This is to be avoided. How is this to be carried out? “The root of desire is the first thought that arises in the mind through the sensory inputs from the sense organs. Slowly, gradually, practice to understand where and how these thoughts arise. Rein in the wavering mind and learn to focus it on the inner divinity in yourself and ignore all other extraneous thoughts. In this manner, try to establish control over your senses through your mind. Then, in course of time, establish control over the mind through the higher faculty of your intellect. You will realise the fleeting nature of the worldly attractions, that material fulfillments alone cannot bring peace of mind and happiness.

As you proceed on this path, your mind gets purified through jettisoning of the unwanted and petty thoughts. The glow of the inner divinity that inheres in you becomes apparent. This bliss, this stillness, this serenity is something indescribable. It is ‘Buddhigrahyam, Atindriyam’- transcendental, beyond the intellect’s grasp, unlike the transient worldly pleasures. Keeping the mind in this unwavering, still state, like the motionless flame of a lamp in a room where there is no breeze is true ‘Samadhi’, a state reached by great Yogis. Excessive desires and greed leads to mental stress and agitation. Learn to dissociate your mind from these pulls. You will be repeatedly pulled away from your efforts by the world. Resist this with determination and proceed with your efforts. This effort itself as well as the final state of a calm, unperturbed, equipoised mind is TRUE YOGA. 

Practice this Yoga of meditation with firm resolve and a pure mind. Once you reach this state, you will realize that there is nothing greater than this to be achieved” says the Gita.