I was thinking of writing the summary for Chap 6 DhyanaYoga as it is coming to an end in our study group. I would like to put some of the thoughts from this morning.
When we have to express this esoteric knowledge we cannot really put it any words or expressions by getting to the sate of Advaitha. All expression can only happen from the state of Dwita If i have to express from Advaita then who is expressing about whom and what? Who is experiencing, who is the doer? That basically saying there is nothing to say or express when in the state of Advaita.
Hence all expression is Dwita, all writings, scriptures are expressing about Advaita from the state of DWITA(Dualism) only. I do not like to give smilies which will spoil the essence. All the similes given so far like snake & rope, gold & ornament, pot & mud, you see you cannot explain advaita without bringing duality.
All the concepts Dwita(Dualism) , Advaita(Non Dualism) or Vishishtadvaita (Qualified non dualism) remain mere doctrines if we do not attain those states. No amount of thinking studying , any teachings, scriptures will not take us to the ultimate state.
The only way to reach that state is by meditating on it. In meditation there is no analysis , there are no preconceived notions , only a sincere heart willing to subject itself to this higher SELF. It does not have to know what it is like, what to feel. It does not happen through control of the mind though in the verses of this chapter control of the mind is used ( but we misunderstand the word control as suppression of the mind). Control is the natural state of the mind, its not about action, it is about just being.
Based on the above statements we may conclude Dhyana as the ultimate. Then i wonder why Bhagwan introduced Dhyana in Chapter 6th. After reading this chapter in our study group it dawned up me that Dhyana is not an activity , neither it is time bound. It is the way of subjecting our mind to this ultimate brahman. You see. If i say Aham(I am) Brahmasmi (Ultimate), its still a duality. In oneness where is Aham. Only through dhyana ( again dhyana is neither thought nor rememberance) one can continue to merge into that infinite essence. Its the merger of Prakriti into Purusha. At the end both disappear. That state if may call it is JNANA. I can only BE, which can not be translated or expressed in any which way.
Going back to the thought why in chapter 6 in the middle.? Because there is a preparation for Dhyana which is Karma Yoga. It requires the whole body , mind and consciousness to reach a certain Harmony ( again harmony does not mean calmness - this is another misconception) . Whenever you read calmness understand it as HARMONY. When all my faculties reach harmony through Karma Yoga. Dhyana becomes more effective.
Bhagwan explained how to do dhyana, how to conduct oneself and then what are the stages one goes through during Dhyana. The yogi who is in total harmony will have access rather becomes one with this higher essence, TRUE JNANA.
To say that , after chapter 6 all that we are going learn are only various stages/revelations in meditation. If we can read rest of the chapters with this idea will give us better perspective. But without engaging in Dhyana , it is all just a mental stimulation.
Here is the summary of verses in this Chapter 6 Atmasamyama Yoga(dhyana yoga)
*Verses 1-2* - Bhagawan praises Karma Yoga which is a preparatory (sadhanam or means) step for Dhyana. Bhagawan recounts that the renunciation of agency, is itself yoga, the renunciation of attachment to the fruits of action. Sannyāsa is the state reached through yoga,
*Verse 3* - describes the limitations of Karma Yoga- through meditation it is realized that the Self alone is the essence, all action is in the ego, till it recognizes this reality.
*Verses 4-6* Define dhyana yoga why it is important and what to expect from dhyana
*Verses 10-28* - Define the yogabhyasa how to attain meditative state. how to develop control body mind complex.
*Verses 29-32* - after we attain maturity in dhyana where abhyasa opens up the realm of Jnana. These verses talk about Jnani sthiti
*Verses 33-47* - Referring to Arjuna's query about falling off the path from Jnana nishta what will be the consequences. Bhagawan confirms that you will begin from where you stopped there is no real fall in this path.
*Verse 47* - this verse advocates dhyana with bhakti.