The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening by Abbot George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri)

Author:Abbot George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri) [Burke, Abbot George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Light of the Spirit Press
Published: 2018-11-11T23:41:11+00:00

The Yogi’s Future

Krishna has told Arjuna of the disciplines necessary for the yogi and has told him of the exalted states which he can attain. To all this Arjuna puts the following question-statement:

Arjuna said: This yoga which is taught by you characterized by evenness of mind, I do not see how it endures, owing to the mind’s restlessness. The mind is truly unstable, troubling, strong and unyielding. I believe it is hard to control–as hard to control as the wind (6:33-34).

A common simile of the mind used in India is that of a kite which can fly very high into the sky, so high it can barely be seen, yet a tug on the line and down it falls to earth! Sri Ramakrishna was very fond of two songs on this theme:

In the market place of the world, O Mother, you are flying kites.

They fly high lifted by the wind of hope and held fast by the string of maya.…

and:

The kite of my mind was flying in the sky of the Mother’s feet.

Jolted by the evil wind of sin it turned over and fell down.

It became heavy and tilted on one side by maya.

I cannot raise it up again.…

Its crest of knowledge has been torn.

It falls down no sooner I lift it up.…

It was tied to the string of devotion,

But it became confused as it got into play.…

Sri Ramakrishna often compared the unpurified mind to a vulture that flies so high it is hardly even a dot in the sky, yet its entire attention is centered on the earth below, looking for dead bodies to eat. The idea of both similes is that the sensory mind–the manas, not the buddhi–is capable of rising very high, but yet it is tightly bound to earth and will after a while descend. Anyone who seeks higher awareness knows this to be all too true.

There is hope, nevertheless:

What can be done

The Holy Lord said: Without doubt the mind is hard to control and restless; but through practice (abhyasa) and dispassion (vairagya) it is governed (6:35).

Abhyasa and vairagya will tame the wandering mind. Abhyasa is not just spiritual practice, but sustained spiritual practice–perseverance. Although spiritual practice is a fundamental need for the yogi, it must be done with a proper attitude toward that which agitates the mind and sends it sinking toward the very things the yogi wishes to escape. Therefore vairagya is also necessary. Vairagya is non-attachment or indifference to those disturbing elements–even a distaste for them. This is not an easy outlook to gain, but steadiness in the practice of meditation will make it possible. For Krishna continues:

I agree that yoga is difficult to attain by him whose lower self is uncontrolled; but by him whose lower self is controlled by striving by right means, it is possible to attain it (6:36).

It is a fact: yoga is not for the weak or the lazy.

Fear–or hope?

Arjuna has already protested that he thinks it is impossible to control the mind. Such an attitude springs from inner negativity and troubles many yogis, especially in the beginning.

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