56 - Towards Equanimity and a Friendly Mind | Swami Tattwamayananda

- 6th chapter: verses 6, 7, 8, 9, 10<br />-The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on October 9, 2020.<br />- 6th verse: “The positive aspect of mind, that is linked to Buddhi and Atman – that mind is our friend. The uncontrolled mind, that is away from spiritual values, acts as if it is our own worst enemy.”<br />- Mind is our friend when it instinctively guides us on the spiritual path and gives us warning signals when undesirable thoughts emerge. Such a mind has conquered the lower self, is restrained and is linked to the higher self.<br />- The mind which has moved us away from our natural tendency to do what is good for us, is under the power of the lower self, and creates stumbling blocks when we want to implement a change for the good – such a mind is our enemy.<br />- If we cannot direct the mind to spiritual values, we should direct it to other higher values such as music, culture and philosophy. This keeps the mind properly employed and away from harmful channels.<br />- 7th verse: “A person who has reached the stage of Yoga-ārūḍha is self-controlled, is constantly focused on the Atman, and is established in inner peace and poise. For him heat/cold, pain/pleasure, honor/dishonor are the same.”<br />- A Yoga-ārūḍha has renounced his ego, desires, and all his sankalpas. He has given up all kinds of identification with actions and their results.<br />- We cannot suddenly decide to have equanimity of mind. It is developed gradually by focusing on a higher transcendental ideal. If we guard ourselves from being over-joyed in pleasant situations, then we can prevent ourselves from being grief-stricken in painful situations.<br />- A Yoga-ārūḍha experiences Prashanta – absolute peace and inner tranquility – because his mind is identified with Paramatma. His Antahkarana becomes calm and quiet because of mergence with Paramatma. His mind functions as God/Guru, sitting within and guiding him.<br />- The external characteristics of a Yoga-ārūḍha are: (1) he is self-restrained (2) he is contented (3) his pres