Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 6, Verse 25
In this article Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in the journey of meditation. He advises seekers to gradually attain tranquility by anchoring the mind into the Supreme Self. Restlessness may arrive which needs to be ignored. Detachment is important in the process of mastering spiritual fulfillment.
For those embarking on the path of meditation, the journey often begins with joy, but midway, turbulent storms of thoughts arise. In this verse, Lord Krishna guides seekers to persevere with patience and advance steadily.
Shloka:
Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya
Atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet.
Meaning:
Gradually, step by step, one should attain tranquility with an intelligence supported by patience. Fixing the mind in the Self, one should think of nothing else.
Explanation:
Through consistent practice, the seeker attains detachment and should anchor the mind and intellect in the Supreme Self, refraining from contemplating anything else. This slow and steady approach, guided by patience, leads to peace and transcendence.
Often, seekers feel disheartened when they do not perceive progress in realizing the Divine, even after prolonged efforts. Here, Lord Krishna encourages such practitioners to remain steadfast and undeterred. It is essential to withdraw the mind and intellect from worldly distractions, such as the pursuit of recognition, luxury, and comfort, as they hinder peace.
Just as muddy water becomes clear when left undisturbed, so too does the restless mind attain clarity and stillness through patience and persistence.
The omnipresent Divine is within us, akin to the sky enveloping everything around us. Clouds may gather, rain, or disperse, yet the sky remains unaffected. Similarly, thoughts may arise and subside, but the Divine within remains unchanged. To access this eternal truth, a quiet and tranquil mind is indispensable.
While meditating, the influx of thoughts is natural. It is neither wise to resist them nor attempt to suppress them. Instead, one should practice detachment and indifference toward these thoughts. Over time, this approach leads the mind to a state of repose.
Memories of past incidents may surface, but one must remind oneself that these events are mere remnants of the past, no longer relevant in the present moment. Often, such memories emerge because old impressions (samskaras) rise to be eradicated. With time and perseverance, the frequency of such thoughts diminishes, allowing the mind to settle into a state of stillness.
When the body, senses, mind, and intellect reach a state of non-activity, one attains a profound silence—this is known as Chup Sadhana (silent meditation) or Mook Satsang (silent communion). It is in this stillness that the seeker draws closer to the Divine.
In essence, Lord Krishna's counsel is to embrace patience, practice detachment, and persistently anchor the mind in the Supreme Self. The journey of meditation is gradual, but with unwavering determination, the seeker ultimately attains inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.
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