The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on November 6, 2020.
-6th chapter: verses 19, 20, 21, 22
-19th verse: “A lamp placed in a sheltered place does not flicker. Similarly, the mind of a Yogi who has reached the Niruddha state through concentration, is steady and does not waver.”
-Vyasa classifies the human mind into five categories: (1) Kshipta (scattered) (2) Mudha (dull) (3) Vikshipta (partially focused) (4) Ekagra (one-pointed) (5) Niruddha (fully focused). Most beginners are in the third stage, where the mind sways like a pendulum. Yoga helps our mind become steady and evolve towards Ekagra and Niruddha state.
-Mind goes after objects that senses are attracted to. When it does not get what it desires, it gets bitter and angry and slowly loses its balance. To prevent the mind from wavering, one should have a higher ideal, that keeps the mind and senses employed and directed towards a healthy channel.
-It is possible to steady the mind in the midst of daily duties. Anything that distracts the mind should be clubbed together as of lesser importance. While doing worldly duties, one should know that there is something beyond that is of primary significance.
-In Vedanta, for a thing to be real, it should satisfy two criteria (1) It should remain without change in the past, present and future – both time and space. (2) It should remain without change in waking, dream and deep sleep states. One should look upon all distractions as part of the changing phenomenon that constitutes the relative. He should keep his mind focused on the Absolute Reality. Then his mind will not waver.
-Kathopanishad compares human life to a journey on a chariot. Atman is the traveler on the chariot, body is the chariot, intellect is the driver, mind is the reins, senses are the horses and the sense objects represent the path. Just as horses should not dictate terms to the rider, so also, sense organs should not dictate the terms to the mind.
-20th verse: “When the mind is completely controlled by concentration, it attains tranquility and peace. Then the Yogi is able to see the Atman by the Atman and recognize his own true identity as the Atman. He attains complete contentment and does not look for anything else.”
-Such a Yogi transcends the realm of pain and pleasure. He is neither elated in a pleasant situation nor depressed in a painful situation. He realizes that both are harmful, and he keeps his mind steady in both situations.
-21st verse: “Such a Yogi experiences Atyantikam sukham – real infinite bliss. This experience of bliss goes beyond senses and normal faculties – it is perceived by the purified mind and intellect of the Yogi, a mind that has ceased to be mind and has merged with the Atman.”
-Normal mind is of a fleeting nature and experiences empirical happiness, which is only the temporary absence of unhappiness. Atyantikam sukham is transcendental bliss that goes beyond the cognition of the mind and the intellect, and which never becomes anything other than happiness. It is a feeling of inner fulfillment and enrichment that cannot be explained – it can only be experienced.
-Atyantikam sukham is the type of happiness that everyone is seeking. Unfortunately, without being aware of it, they only chase momentary happiness, which is the root of all painful experiences. Vedanta helps us reach this highest state of happiness with an evolved, steady and equanimous mind. Buddha, Christ and Sri Ramakrishna experienced Atyantikam sukham.
-This highest happiness is also called Brahmanandam, which is beyond the five sheaths and transcends them all. The five sheaths are: Anamaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Vijnanamaya Kosha and Anandamaya Kosha.
-22nd verse: “After attaining this spiritual concentration, the Yogi realizes that there is no other acquisition superior to that.”
-When we feel that there is nothing greater than what we have already acquired - that is the real foundation of real, lasting contentment. Then we won’t be moved by any kind of sorrowful experience.
-Lord Krishna says that any effort we put towards attaining this highest bliss remains ours across lives. A sincere, humble desire to pray or read a holy book creates a positive vritti that stays ours forever. We inherit it as a spiritual bank balance when we are born again, so we can start our journey where we left off.