Introduction
In Bhagavad Gita’s Chapter 3, 4 & 5, Lord Krishna emphasizes on productive detachment. I.e., performing action profeciently & intensely and yet detaching from the results. In other words, “process oriented action with detachment” is recommended over “goal oriented action with attachment”. In a nutshell it is “karma-yoga” coupled with “sanyasa-yoga”.
Though one achieves karma-yoga to some extent, the mind remains to be the biggest deterrent for further spiritual progress. Hence, in the next chapter (6th), Lord Krishna addresses the “mind”.
In Vedic tradition, the sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita is called "Dhyana Yoga”. The term “dhyana” is derived from “dhya” which means to contemplate, meditate or think - which are the focused states of mind.
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - mind is both an enemy and a friend. To turn the mind into a friend - he prescribes a deliberate practice of meditation (verses 6.10 to 6.15)
The reason for the prescription of a deliberate practice - is that mind is not easy to regulate. Irrespective of our resolution to meditate, the mind wanders away easily. Hence, Krishna suggests: (1) Seclusion, (2) sanctified place, (3) vow of celibacy, (4) appropriate seat, (5) comfortable posture, (6) fixed gaze and (7) one pointed concentration - as the code for deliberate practice of meditation.
Lord Krishna says - that the tranquility in meditation helps “sadhaka” in transcending “karma yoga” itself (6.3).
Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you this introductory series on “seven step meditation” in Bhagavad Gita.
Our goal is to inspire you to study Vedic literature and adopt them in your day-to-day practice.
In our next write-up, we will present the first step “seclusion”.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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1. Seclusion
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - those who wish to achieve tranquility in meditation, must reside in seclusion (6.10).
In popular culture, residing in seclusion is romanticized and is presented as an ideal way of life for the wise & enlightened. But, in reality, survival in seclusion is highly difficult for someone who is used to social comforts.
Seclusion immediately removes all external cues from the senses and it may seem as an ideal way to sit & meditate. However, in the absence of external cues the mind often enters a panic mode and meditation becomes impossible.
Hence, “sadhaka” should allow the mind to acclimatize to seclusion and then initiate meditative practices. The best way to start is to reside for 5-10 days in an “ashram” far from civilization and take a vow of silence. The purpose should be to acclimatize to seclusion and not to achieve a meditative state of mind.
Once the mind is acclimatized to seclusion, one may move to the next step - creating a sanctified place. We will discuss the same in our next write-up.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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2. Creating a sanctified place
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - to meditate, one must prepare a seat in a sanctified place (“shuchau deshe”) (6.11).
“Shaucha” indicates cleanliness, clearness and purity.
Cleanliness of a place can be achieved by physically cleaning it; clearness of that place can be achieved by performing verbal actions; and purity can be achieved by mental actions at that place.
Before meditation, physically cleaning the place is essential. In addition, clearing the place of adverse energies by chanting mantras and also purifying the place by mentally consecrating the almighty - are also essential.
Chanting shanti mantras from Vedas or dhyana slokas from specific traditions - verbally clears the place of any adverse energies in the place of meditation. Similarly, observing the presence of almighty in the place of meditation through mental focus brings purity to such a place.
Once our mind is acclimatized to seclusion and the place of meditation is ready - sadhaka can move on to the most important preparatory step “celibacy”. We will discuss the same in our next write-up
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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3. Vow of celibacy
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - for deliberation meditation practice, one must take vow of celibacy (“brahmachari vrata”) (6.14)
In Tantra Shastras, seven major energy centers in the human body are recognized. The lower three are “muladhara, swadhishtana & manipura”. The upper three are “sahasrara, ajna & vishuddhi”. The middle one is “anahatha”.
“Anahata” (situated at the height of thymus gland) is the major center because raising the life energies above this level is a herculean task. At the same time, raising them upto “Anahata” is relatively a simple task.
The life energies which have been raised upto “anahata” can easily slide downwards due to many reasons: engaging sexual activities, consuming tamasic food, excessive sleep…etc.
For deliberate meditation practice (as suggested by Lord Krishna), it is essential to bring life energies upto the level of “anahata” and then strive to raise it further. Any sexual activity will make life energies slide downwards and the spiritual progress is deferred (“thirodhana”).
A vow of celibacy before initiating deliberate meditation will ensure that the “sadhaka” achieves the intended goal without any “thirodhana”.
In the next write up, we will discuss “appropriate seat” for meditation.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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4. Appropriate seat
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna prescribes - “darbha” grass, deer skin, and a cloth as the appropriate seat for meditation. (6.11)
“Darbha” / “Kusha” grass is scientifically known as “desmostachya bipinnata”. It is also an ayurvedic herb used to treat skin diseases, improve lactation in women…etc. In puranas it is considered to have born from Lord Vishnu's hair. It plays an essential part in all Vedic rituals. Hence, a seat made of “darbha” is considered the most sacred in Vedic tradition.
Use of deer skin however, is not legal anymore in India due to excessive hunting of wildlife. However, in ancient India where the wildlife was plentiful, skin of deer, elephant, tiger…etc were used by ascetics due to their varied benefits. For example, using a deer skin seat for meditation would repel snakes & other creatures, ensuing bodily safety.
It should be noted that in Vedic tradition “pratyamnaya” (alternatives) are always allowed and hence, instead of deer skin, silk cloth can be used for the seat.
Finally using a cotton cloth cover for the seat will enable “satvik” tendencies in the “sadhaka” while practicing deliberation meditation.
In the next write-up, we will discuss “comfortable posture”.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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5. Comfortable posture
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - for meditation, one must hold the body, neck, and head firmly in a straight line. (6.13)
“Ardha Padmasana” is the easiest and the most comfortable posture where the straight line of body, neck & head can be firmly held for a long time. While“Padmasana”, “Vajrasana”...etc also help in achieving this, they cannot be held for a long time in case of beginners.
In modern physiology, holding the body, neck & head in a straight line is considered as a “good posture”. Many researchers have suggested that holding “good posture” for a long period of time improves both physical & mental health.
In yogic tradition, holding this “good posture” is considered as a key to access higher planes of creation.
Nonetheless, holding this “good posture” is essential for meditation as prescribed by Lord Krishna.
In our next write up, we will discuss “fixed gaze”.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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6. Fixed gaze
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - in meditation, gaze should be at the tip of the nose and eyes should not be allowed to be wandered away. (6.13)
In Hatha Yoga tradition, “Nasikagra Mudra” or “Nasikagra Drishti Mudra” is performed by keeping the eyes open (see “Gheranda Samhita”). For the beginners, the thumb is used to direct the eyes towards the tip of the nose. For intermediate practitioners, it is suggested to keep the gaze at the tip of the nose without any external help. This mudra helps us to practice the gaze as Krishna suggests in Bhagavad Gita.
In mudra of Hatha Yoga, the eyes are kept open for practice, whereas in Gita's deliberate meditation, the eyelids are kept closed & gaze is concentrated on the tip of the nose. This practice in meditation is difficult and hence it is suggested to practice mudra first & then attempt the same.
In the beginning one will observe that deliberately gazing at the tip of the nose brings focus to the mind mechanically. But as the mind wanders away, the gaze also move away from the center. As and when such movement occurs, one needs to bring back the gaze thereby deliberately bringing back the focus to mind.
This deliberate practice lays the foundation for the final step of the meditation “one pointed concentration”, which we shall discuss in the next write-up.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
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7. One pointed concentration
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - with the help of a disciplined mind absorbed in almighty, a yogi attains nirvana. (6.15)
In different meditation methods, the mind is focused on different objects or ideas (ex: on breath, on life energies, on physical sensations, on a lamp…etc). However, Krishna prescribes a meditation where the mind is focused on the universal consciousness (i.e., almighty)
This universal consciousness is both immanent and transcendent; ie., it is present within all aspects of creation and yet is beyond this creation. In meditation, the mind must be focused on this attribute of the almighty; i.e., mind should be completely engaged in contemplating & observing both immanent & transcendent attributes of the almighty.
There are many Vedic mantras and suktas which help us observe these attributes; ex: Gayatri mantra, Purusha sukta…etc. While meditating, the meaning of these mantras can be contemplated coupled with observing our own experience of the creation. This will help in keeping the mind completely absorbed in almighty. Consequently the “sadhaka” accumulates enough “jeeva-samskara” so that the original essence of jeevatma blossoms (“nirvana”) and it unifies with the almighty (“moksha”).
Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought this series on seven step meditation in Bhagavad Gita.
Our goal is to inspire you to study Vedic literature and adopt them in your day-to-day practice.
All the best
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
