Dhyana Yoga Part - 1

Chapter 6 Part 1

Dhyana Yoga

Dhyana or meditation helps to practice a balanced state of mind. A completely balanced mind leads to samadhi and can feel athmananda. To achieve a balanced mind one has to leave attachment to the results of all karma. One has to do his liable karma without an attachment to results . One cannot become a sanyasi by leaving his karma. He has to leave his attachment to karma internally. By leaving attachment, one becomes sanyasi even while he does his liable karma. This is the balanced state of mind.

Firm Yogi

For those who aims at realization, doing karma as karma yoga is very essential. Because karma yoga gives a balance mind. Even for a realized person, a complete balanced mind is required to stay on that state. When a seeker achieves complete sense control and renounce attachment to results then he is known as a firm yogi(yogarudan).

Uplifting mind by budhi

A seeker has to uplift his mind himself. How? The mind becomes deluded in worldly affairs. This is because of desires or aversions. Attachments also leads to fall in life.

By learning theoretical spiritual knowledge budhi becomes firm. A deluded mind should be uplifted by firm budhi. Using budhi one has to teach mind about the true aspect of worldly life. This has to be done continuously for a long period. Then gradually mind will be uplifted to the state of a firm yogi(yogarudan). If not done like this, the mind may tend to fall. The mind which is deluded in desires always makes new problems.

A firm yogi who wins senses and mind and who always dwells inward can find Brahma in external experiences like hot or cold, and in internal factors like pride or defamation. The experience of jnana is attained logically and experientialy. A person who sees Brahma equally in others who does good things or bad things, in friends or enemies, in ordinary peoples, in those of aversion, in relatives or strangers, in good peoples or evil peoples becomes liberated. There is no thought of difference or duality at seeing Brahma in everything. This is called equalized budhi or sama budhi or non-duality(adwaita).

Dhyana

Dhyana is  a very important way of attaining Brahma through soul realization. Before starting meditation, one should practice controlling mind. If mind is controlled in some extend one can sit for lonely meditation. Such a seeker does not expect anything from others or even from God. His one and only goal is soul realization.

One should learn to sit steady for some time(siting posture or asana). Choose a comfortable seat. Body should not move in between. For this, practice to keep body, head and neck straight. Keep eye sight steady. Do not look here and there in between this. Do not allow mind to wander. Don't care for the state of the body. Focus mind on Brahma. Through consistent practice one can fix in incessant memory of Brahma. This is mediation or dhyana. Gradually one can experience inner peace. This leads to samadhi(steady intellect) and finally to soul realization. While experiencing Brahma all the time he becomes free from all desires completely. Such a person is called yogarudan or sthitha prajnan. His mind becomes still and stay steady without any vibration. Here the single pointed budhi can be compared to a steady flame in a calm atmosphere.