115. A Method of Meditation


Krishna says you are either your own friend or your own enemy (6.6). To become one’s own friend, he advised the path of equanimity towards the feelings of sukh-dukh (6.7), towards things like gold, stone (6.8) and people like friends-enemies (6.9) by controlling senses (6.8). Alternatively, Krishna suggests the path of meditation (6.10-6.15).

Krishna says to remain secluded, devoid of material possessions (6.10); to sit in a clean place, neither too high nor too low (6.11); with mind-controlled, back and neck erect, gazing at the tip of the nose, without looking around (6.12-6.13); be quiet, free from fear, remain concentrated (6.14); and that by constantly seeking union with the Self, one attains supreme peace (6.15).

Attaining samatva becomes difficult with the onslaught of sensory stimuli and thus seclusion gives temporary relief. On the other hand, even if we seclude ourselves physically there is a chance that we keep mentally taking our relationships, professions and situations along with us to meditation. This verse (6.10) states that we should be able to leave the identification with them at mental level to remain secluded. It’s like Arjuna attaining mental seclusion even in the midst of war.

As far as shedding material possessions is concerned, it does not mean donating all our physical possessions like car or house before going into meditation. It is about breaking our mental attachment to them and viewing them as things to be used when needed. It’s about not making them a part of the ‘I’.

Finally, Krishna advises shedding fear. Our fundamental fear is the fear of losing things or people. This loss is nothing but the partial demise of the ‘I’ as we lose a part of ourselves. On the other hand, in meditation, we must shed thoughts, the sense of ownership over things and remain secluded from people. Hence, Krishna cautions us to be aware of this aspect of fear on the path towards attaining an eternal meditative state which is moksha.


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