Summary:

Lesson 55 highlights main points and teachings shared throughout Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2-6. Also summarizes Vedantic Meditation (Dhyana-Yoga / Nididhyasana). And introduces the 2nd section (CH7-12) which is mostly about Ishvara, maya, creation-dissolution process, grace.

Source of summaries: Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2-6, 7-12

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Summary of Chapter 6 – Dhyana-Yoga:

1) Importance of Meditation in Spiritual Discipline

Krishna introduces meditation after five chapters of foundational knowledge. This sequencing is intentional, much like how a chef ensures all ingredients are prepared before starting to cook. Meditation serves as the perfect “cooking process” to assimilate the Vedantic teachings.

2) Vedantic Method for Moksha

Think of this as a three-step ladder to liberation:

1. Upāsana: It's like warming up before exercise. This preparatory meditation reduces mental restlessness (rajas) and dullness (tamas), cultivating clarity (sattva).
2. Śravaṇam: Imagine being a sponge, absorbing Vedantic concepts through deep listening and reasoning.
3. Nididhyāsanam: This is where you ‘chew on' the knowledge, like savoring a complex dish to fully appreciate its flavors.

3) Three Scenarios for Vedantic Students

1. The Unprepared Student: Knowledge is like oil floating on water – it doesn't mix with the personality.
2. The Partially Prepared: Knowledge is gained but not fully assimilated. It's like having ingredients but struggling to make a dish.
3. The Well-Prepared: Śravaṇam alone may suffice. They get it effortlessly, like a ripe fruit falling from a tree.

4) Upāsanam vs Nididhyāsanam Definition

Upāsanam includes practices like Karma Yoga, cultivating dispassion, and general inquiry about existence.

Nididhyāsanam specifically dwells on Vedantic teachings to make knowledge and personality become one.

5) Summary of Spiritual Progress

This process transforms intellectual understanding (jñānam) into experiential realization (vijñānam), much like turning theoretical knowledge of swimming into actual swimming ability.

Upāsana qualifies you, Śravaṇam informs you, and Nididhyāsanam transforms you into a jñāna niṣṭā (one firmly established in Self-Knowledge).

6) Chapter 6 Structure

Expanding on the five-part structure:

a) Bahiraṅga sādhanāni (V1-9): Outward disciplines

• • Emphasizes Karma Yoga as preparation for meditation
  • Discusses the importance of self-effort and mind control

b) Antaraṅga sādhanāni (V10-17): Inner disciplines

• • Details the ideal location and posture for meditation
  • Emphasizes moderation in daily activities

c) Dhyāna svarūpam (V18-32): Nature of meditation

• • Describes the three stages: dhāraṇa, dhyānam, and samādhi
  • Explains the state of equilibrium achieved in meditation

d) Dhyāna phalam (V33-36): Fruits of meditation

• • Discusses the transformation of personality
  • Explains the attainment of equanimity

e) Dhyāna pratibandha parihārau (V37-47): Obstacles and remedies

• • Addresses common challenges in meditation
  • Provides solutions and encouragement for practitioners

7) Bahiraṅga Sādhanāni: Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga involves accepting all actions and their results with an attitude of gratitude (prasāda bhāvana). It's like turning life into a continuous offering to the divine.

Karma Yoga is like being a surfer, accepting and adapting to whatever waves come (simply because that's how each wave is; there's absolute no point complaining it's like it is). This acceptance and solution mode thinking, reduces the complainer (which sustains your individuality).

8) Dhyāna Svarūpam: Process of Vedāntic Meditation

The subject matter of nididhyāsanam includes contemplating on one's true nature as consciousness (caitanyam), which is eternal, true, one, all-pervading, unattached, and neither a doer nor enjoyer. But also thinking about how Ishvara relates in your life. 

9) Journey of Meditation Process:

Think of it like reading a book:

• Dhāraṇa: You start reading, trying to focus.
• Dhyānam: You're getting into the story.
• Samādhi: You're so engrossed, you forget your surroundings.

10) Dhyāna Phalam: Benefits of Meditation

Toughest attachment to release is towards people. True freedom comes from seeing all as Īśvara's and not as personal property.

The world doesn't change, but your perspective does. It's like putting on a pair of glasses that help you see clearly for the first time. You might still prefer green tea, but you're not a slave to your preferences anymore.

11) Dhyāna Pratibandha Parihāra: Overcoming Obstacles

Struggling with meditation is normal. It's like learning to ride a bike – practice (abhyāsa) makes perfect, and a relaxed attitude (vairāgyam) helps you keep your balance.

12) Addressing Arjuna's Pessimism

Krishna explains that spiritual efforts yield two types of results: either immediate self-realization or accumulation of merit (puṇyam) leading to better circumstances for future spiritual growth.

 

Gita is divided into 3 sections:

 

Keywords: abhokta, abhyasa, abokta, acarya, acaryah, akarta, antaranga sadhana, anugra, anugraha, asanga, atman, atyantika duhkha nivritti, bahiranga sadhanani, bhagavan, darsanam, darshana, dehi, devesha, dharana, eka, ishvara, jivanmukti, jivanmuktih, jnana, kama, manasa, moksha, navadvare, nididhyasana, nididyasana, nirguna, nista, nistha, nitya, pana-kosa, pancha-kosha, pariharau, prasada bhavana, raga, rajasic, saguna , samadhi, samashti, samasti, santi, sarvagata, satchitananda, satkam, satya, shanti, shatkam, shravana, shravanam, sravana, svarupam, tattva nistha, uddhared atmanat manam, upasana, vairagyam, vedanta, vedantic, vijnana, vishaya, viyoga, vyapara, vyasthi, vyasti

 

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• Guided Vedantic Meditation (Nididhyasana) – Chapter 6 in Practice

Credit for help in Bhagavad Gita teaching given to Chinmaya Int. Foundation, Swami Paramarthananda

Recorded 25 June, 2019