53 - Dhyana Yoga - The Art of Meditation | Swami Tattwamayananda

-5th chapter: verses 27, 28, 29. 6th chapter: verse 1<br />The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on September 18, 2020.<br />-In the 4th chapter, Lord Krishna gives an exposition of Karma-Sannyasa, but advises Arjuna to practice Karma-Yoga. A spiritual seeker should begin practicing Karma-Yoga by reducing his attachment to work and its results. Karma-yoga helps him achieve inner purity and to reach the level of spiritual fitness, so that one day he can practice renunciation in the true sense of the word.<br />-In the 5th chapter, Lord Krishna explains that the purpose of Karma-Yoga is to achieve Chitta-Shuddhi (inner purity), so we can instinctively practice non-attachment. Gradually, this leads to the stage of Moksha (liberation), where we experience Akshayam-Sukham (everlasting happiness).<br />- The 27th, 28th, and 29th verses introduce Dhyana-Yoga, the art of meditation, discussed in detail in the 6th chapter.<br />- 27th & 28th verse: “Keeping out all external objects, keeping the gaze steady between the eyebrows, controlling the incoming and outgoing breaths, with senses, mind and intellect fully under control, with Moksha as his supreme goal, free from desire, fear and anger – a man of meditation attains Moksha and becomes ever free.”<br />- External objects are kept out through non-attachment and by practicing restraint, so the sense organs do not flow towards them. A beginner should practice by focusing on a higher ideal, such as mantra or the form of a spiritual person, whose association fills his mind with spiritual ideas.<br />- The left eye represents Krodha (anger) and the right eye represents Kama (desire) – together they represent the world. When we transcend both kama and krodha, we attain even-ness, which is the symbol of Atman, represented by the mid-point. Then we go beyond all duality and all opposites, such as good and bad, pain and pleasure.<br />- During meditation, one should sit in a proper seat, with head, body and neck in a straight line (Sthira-sukham-aasanam). Eyes should ne