VI: 10

[Krishna Jaya]

Chapter 6, Verse 10

 

“Day after day,

Yogis practice meditation,

Mastering body and mind,

Free of possessions and desires.”

 

Sri Krishna Prem:

 

Now comes the time for the practice of meditative Yoga.  Krishna proceeds to give some teachings about the technique to be pursued.  Essentially the method consists of gaining such mastery over the mind-processes that they can be stilled at will, thus enabling the meditator to experience the truth like a calm pool reflecting the Full Moon.

 

Only brief indications are given in the text because the full process cannot be set forth in writing.  It varies for each student and must be learnt from a teacher, who always becomes available at this stage.  It is true that there are books which apparently give full instructions about the practice, but their apparent fullness is misleading.  It is easier to become an artist by the study of a manual of oil-painting than to become a Yogi by the study of books on meditation, whether those books were written yesterday or three thousand years ago.

 

Swami Shivananda:

 

Regularity of practice is central.  Those who practice meditation by fits and starts and for only a few minutes daily will not be able to achieve tangible results in Yoga.  If they are well established in the control of mind and body, they can find solitude even in the most crowded and noisy part of a big city. 

 

Be not anxious about your bodily needs.  Everything is provided by the Lord and arranged by Mother Nature, who looks after our bodily needs very carefully and more efficiently than we ourselves do.  Ponder the mysteries of Mother Nature, and become wise.  Be grateful to her for her grace.”

 

Father Bede Griffiths:

 

Many find it helpful to have a special place to sit in meditation.  It is said that, if possible, always use the same place, as it will gradually acquire associations, giving it a sacred quality.  This is by no means essential, but it can help.

 

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi:

 

This verse must not be mistaken as teaching a mode of conduct for life as a whole.  Krishna is not advocating here a monkish withdrawal from life.  It should not be understood as teaching that a Yogi must always remain outside the bounds of society; rather, this verse brings out the essentials of meditation, the practice which leads the mind to transcendence and from there to the spontaneous infusion of Being into activity.