Class Summary for April 24, 2022 - Bhagavad Gita Chapter-6: Slokas 16 - 18

 Summarized by Shilpa Sail

Starting the class with meditation helps us calm our minds and prepares us for the class.

Discussed verses 16, 17, and 18 in detail and chanted verses 19 to 21.

Analysis of verses 16 to 18.

Sleep

Scientific publications have mentioned that 6.5 to 7.5 hours of sleep is required, based on diverse research.

Why is sleep important for meditation?

Meditation is recommended for 10 mins to a max of 30 mins.

If a person is sleep-deprived, they may feel sleepy when they begin meditation.

More sleep is also not conducive to mediation. Excessive sleep leads to tamasic behavior. As a result, an individual may feel lethargic. 

Food

How much food is enough?

Eat only half of what is required, fill a quarter of the stomach with water, and keep the remaining empty for the food to mix and digest.

Some other guidelines on adequate intake of food are based on the ashrama.

Sannyasi - 2 servings

Vanaprastha - 4 servings

Gṛhastha - 8 servings

Brahmacharya - as needed as they are the most active.

The amount of food intake decreases as an individual grows older. 

In short, sleep decides the duration of contact with the outside world and food decides the type of contact with the outside world.

Any input/stimuli can be considered as Ahara. Reaction to the stimuli is considered a Vihara. Response to the stimuli is karma.

Every action should be a response rather than a reaction to the stimuli.

In the context of mediation, one who consistently responds rather than reacts can do mediation effectively, the more balanced that individual is.

Who is Yukta /accomplished person from a mediation perspective?

One whose mind is restrained --> karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and gnana yoga.

The three things help us focus and help an individual to be fixed on self and they are free from desires.

This leads to a person being able to meditate effectively.

Ashtanga yoga - 

These eight steps are known as the eight limbs of yoga.

1. Yama (Restraints, five steps we should not be doing) 

• ahimsa (non-violence) - make sure we are not harmful
• satya (truthful) - do not tell lies
• brahmacharya (moderation) - Do not indulge. Control of our senses is required.
• asteya (not stealing) - Do not keep something that does not belong to you. 
• aparigraha (not hoarding) - non-possessiveness, Do not covet what other people have. 

     2. Niyama (Observances/ Dos) 

• Saucha (purity) - Make sure we keep everything around you clean, including thinking, action, and surrounding. 
• Santosha (contentment) - Contentment. Be happy with what you have and stay satisfied. Critical to keep ourselves happy in what we have.
• Tapas (austerity) - Train ourselves to fast. fasting levels - without water, only water, fruits and nuts, and many other ways like sabunana khichadi. Bring about the disciple in yourself and assert some control over the stomach and over the desire the stomach is producing, considering Ekadashi fasting.

• Savdhayaya (Studying scriptures) - self-study of scriptures
• Ishvara pranidhana (surrender to a higher source) - Occasional puja, surrender to God.

      3. Asana (Posture) - make sure the body is fit and can sit for the length of meditation.

      4. Pranayama (Breath Control) - Practice pranayama regularly.

      5.Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses) - 

     

      The above five steps are required before we start mediation. It is related to preparation for meditation. 

      

Below are three steps required during meditation. 

      6. Dharana (Concentration) - Siting and starting to focus on the Ishtha devata. Continue to do that for the period of  mediation. The key is not to get distracted by any other thoughts. 

      7. Dhyana (Meditation) - Ability to stay focused on the Ishtha devata for the duration of the meditation. To attain this level, an individual needs a lot of practice.

      8. Samadhi (Pure Contemplation) - 

• Samadhi is of two kinds - Samprajnata Samadhi, with the support of an object of meditation, and Asamprajnata Samadhi, without the support of an object of meditation.

Preparation for mediation is as critical as meditation itself.

We watched Gurudev's videos - Chapter 6- verses 16 and 17.

Verse 16 - Moderation in eating is a MUST.

Verse 17 - When and where to use my energy. 

We chanted verses 18, 19, and 20.

It ponders on the type of focus that is required for meditation. It is compared to that of a lamp with fire and the steady fast nature of the lamp. Holding the mind steadily under control during mediation is vital.

Detailed analysis will be in the next class.

Summary 

For effective meditation

1) posture is important

2) Moderation/ balancing in everything we do, particularly in food and sleep is essential.