Bhagvad Gita Chapter 6 (Revised 2021): Dhyana Yoga, or Atma samyama Yoga (The yoga of self-control), Flowcharts

Compiled by
Dr. Medicherla Shyam Sunder Kumar
samc108@gmail.com
OM TAT SAT
Based on teachings of
1-Bhagvad gita Study by Bhakti Caitanya Swami
2-Bhagvad_Gita_Notes_Complete_Gauranga_priyarabhu
2-Gita Makarandam by Vidya Prakashananda Giri
3-Other references are listed at the bottom of the each slide.
1
Abhyasa Yoga or“Dhyan Yoga”
(“The Yoga of Meditation”) UNITIVE CONTEMPLATION
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 6 , (47 verses) FLOWCHARTS

5 principles
You have to periodically renounce and you have to get back in touch with who you are
through knowledge. This is the means by which the soul continues to disassociate from
its habit of identification with matter.
All of these are necessary even after you have become grounded in who you are,
because when you reenter into matter the world tries to coat you again.
dejection, Chapter 1
discrimination, Chapter 2
action, Chapter 3
knowledge Chapter 4
renunciation Chapter 5
are the preparatory process which we will cycle through forever
http://www.satshree.org/teachings/gita-study/gita-study-transcriptions/ 1.2
95% of seekers are in this process of becoming stable in the self. Of that 95% there is
probably another 20% that have glimpses of the next stages; they come and they go
2

The first six chapters are a cycle
Dejection is the experience of your bondage,
not knowing that is what you are experiencing.
It is when the being comes forward and
the outer personality doesn't know what is happening.
Let's talk about the outer personality.
3

Dejection,
Chapter 1
causing suffering
Leads to
Discrimination,
Chapter 2
Action,
Chapter 3
we start behaving
differently
knowledge
Chapter 4
renunciation
Chapter 5
Dejection is always
suffering.
There is a path to truth t
is based on suffering
knowledge that comes
when you start behaving
differently .
http://www.satshree.org/teachings/gita-study/gita-study-transcriptions 4.1
we begin to redesign our lives and
redesign our relationship with
The first six chapters
are a cycle.
Then sooner or later another
dejection comes
These first six chapters will
cycle with you
throughout the entire
spiritual journey
until there is no journey.
4

Gita - “who you are”“Tvam” (Soul). in the first six chapters
3-The third chapter takes up Karma-Yoga which deals with duties of all
of us towards our “Tvam” (Soul). Indirectly, they are duties of our
universe and our society.
4-In the fourth chapter, he takes up Jnana-Yoga. By performing right
action how one could get real knowledge and by real knowledge how
one should act, is taken up in this chapter.
1-The first chapter is an introduction to the discourse.
It brings out the state of distress in Arjuna
When one performs
nishkäma karma yoga
on the level of
knowledge of the soul
only, then he tends to
remain impersonal,
6-The sixth chapter is Dhyana-Yoga which gives a detailed
description of how to meditate and realise the “REAL YOU” inside
the “FALSE YOU”.
5-The fifth chapter is Karmasamnyasa-Yoga wherein he talks about renunciation of
fruits of action which will help us to realise the Atman in us.
there is a higher controller,as seen in the fifth chapter,
then he develops a consciousness of the Supersoul
2 -Chapter a detailed description of the “Real Arjuna”, the Atman (Tvam) and ends up in a wonderful
description of a Sthitaprajna (man of steady wisdom). to do Karma-Yoga, Jnana-Yoga etc.,
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
http://gitaglobal.com/bhagavad-gita-tat-tvam-asi-2/
6

GITA CHAPTERS 6 to 9 GITA COUNTER CHAPTERS 15 to 18
Chapter 6 Yoga of Meditation;
Dhyana Yoga
Dhyana on what?
Who am i?
Who is meditating?,
What is his experience?
Chapter 15 Yoga of the
Supreme Spirit;
Purushottama Yoga
With Dhyana you come to
know PURUSHOTTAMA
Two parts of GITA
PART " A" PART "B"
Chapters 1 to 9
Chapters 10 to 18)
counter chapters
7

3 SUBSETS OF GITA
The Gita is divided in to
three sections of six chapters each
(shatkam)
8

http://practicalphilosophy.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/GitaaSaaram.pdf
CHAPTERS 1-6 CHAPTERS 7-12 CHAPTERS 13-18
karma Yoga
Lord Kṛṣṇa discussed
the nature of the
individual,
karmayoga, etc.
predominantly
Bhakti Yoga
The Lord will
predominantly
discuss the nature
of God, worship of
God with attributes
(upāsanā), etc.
Jnana Yoga
The final six chapters,
beginning with Chapter 13,
analyzing the body, soul,
and Supersoul, are basically
knowledge in greater detail
just for the sake of getting all
the facts right.The last six
chapters treat of the path
of knowledge of Jnana
Yoga
The individual effort
was emphasized
It will be the grace of
the god that will be
emphasized
knowledge of ATMA
The first six chapters
deal with “Tvam”
WHO YOU ARE
the nature of "Thou"
or the Twam-pada.
Deal with “Tat” ATMAN
meaning "That" or
Tat-pada.
The term "Art" or Asi-
pada, which establishes
the identity of the
individual and the
Supreme Soul.
In short, all these are necessary to achieve thegoal of liberation.
9

THE KARMA
YOGA
THE BHAKTI
YOGA
THE JNANA
YOGA
The Karma yogi acts
without any feeling of doership,
without desire,
without the sense of ‘I’
and 'Mine’, and
surrenders his work with
its fruits to God.
So acting he lives in the
Supreme Reality.
The Bhaktiyogi has no
relish for anything in the
world, and he
contemplates the Lord
repeating His name,
singing His glories,
and thus lives in bliss
and blessedness.
By sharp discrimination
between the Self
and non-Self, the
Jnanayogi rejects
anatma (non-self) and
establishes himself in
the Supreme Reality.
The Jnanayogi follows
the path of introspection
into himself by
eliminating the senses
the mind and the
external world.
In this way whatever path man may follow - Jnana, Karma, Bhakit, Dhyana –
the inner principle is the same (i. e.) the rejection of insentient material things.
10

Before practicing advanced stages of astanga-yoga
(as described in Texts 5.27 – 5.28), one must become:
Purified by ‘Niskama-karma-yoga’
One must be in full control of mind
One must be completely indifferent to and unaffected by all material things
Astanga-yoga was mentioned in Text 5.27,
to set a scene for Chapter 6
Connection between Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
http://ebooks.iskcondesiretree.com/pdf/Bhagvad_Gita_Notes_Complete_Gauranga_priya_prabhu/BGNotes%20v3.1.pdf
11

How this Discourse Is connected with the previous one ? ?
5Th Chapter
In this Discourse,
the process of meditation is
explained in all its details.
PRACTICALS
At the beginning of the Fifth Discourse,
in answer to Arjuna's question, the
Lord stated that both Jnana and Karma
are high forms of spiritual discipline.
But it was pointed out that in the early
stages, Karmayoga is superior.
Having examined the two paths, the
Lord mentioned that meditation
(Dhyana) is helpful to the aspirant.
THEORY
6Th Chapter
The Discourse begins with a reference to Karma Yoga.
Gita Makarandam
12

(“The Yoga of Complete Concentration on the Self”)
the "yoga of controlling the Âtmâ"
This is a misnomer, in asmuch as it is neither
necessary nor possible to control the immaculate,
eternal embodiment of the truth - the âtmâ.
http://svbf.org/newsletters/year-2013/atma-samyama-yoga/
presents both the theory and the practical aspects of meditation.
•Abhyasa Yoga or
• “Dhyan Yoga” (“The Yoga of Meditation”)
•UNITIVE CONTEMPLATION
“ Atma ” “ Samyama ” + Yoga
+
• “ Atma Samyama Yoga”
Atma here seems to refer to the mind
(or the individual self – ego)
as the mind is the one that needs
restraining all the time.
“ Samyama ” means
Yoga of restraint or control.
13

MIND with GUNAS
GOD
PARAMATMA
COSMIC SOUL
MAN
JIVATMA
SOUL
The mind is the barrier to Self-realization.
CAUSE FOR OUR PLEASURE & PAIN IS MIND
WHAT SEPERATES US FROM “GOD” ?
Mental constitution
Ignorance/Gunas
By its inherent samskaras acquired through several births, the mind
has become a thick dark veil covering up the Reality and
preventing the people from knowing their own real nature.
14

Now there’s certainly pleasure and urge from one side and
moral and ethics on the other side.
Be like this lighthouse, which endures a wave after wave of powerful
walls of ramming water. No matter, how hard the world tries to beat
you down with evil options, defeat you with powerful urges, pull you
down with pleasures, stand strong
What is self restraint?
How to develop self restraint?
1-Understanding the happiness is not pleasure.
2-But by controlling your thoughts. Happiness is not something that’s out
there. It’s within us.Happiness comes from lesser craving. And how do you
develop lese craving, one way to that is developing self restraint!
3- Meditation -The practical method
http://www.true-buddhist-teachings.org/self-restraint/
15

WHY SHOULD I INVEST MY TIME IN MEDITATION?
16

Dhyana (meditation) is mentioned here as the principal means to achieve control over the mind.
http://vahini.org/downloads/geethavahini.htmhttp://bababooks.org/SathyaSaiGita/index.html l
17

Why the title of the Discourse is Atmasamyama yoga ?
Every sort of excitement is quietly controlled
by self-control. The self-controlled man sees
his numberless enemies such as lust, desire,
anger, etc., as if these dwell in a separate body.
Here the term Atma refers
to the body,
the senses,
the mind and
the intellect.
{The yoga of self control. The method of
subduing these forces and bringing
them under control is pointed out in
this discourse and so it is entitled
“Atmasamyama yoga”.
18

Inner purification comes first,
(Meditation is nothing but inner purification. )
and then only external renunciation.
It is only then that one may rightly be recognized
as a Sannyasi or Yogi.
20

CHAPTER 2
TEACHING
starts here
In chapter 6 Lord Krishna reveals
astanga yoga, and the exact process of
practicing such yoga
CHAPT
ER
14
G
U
N
A
S
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14 GUNAS
CHAPTER 5.27
21

This Atma is seen only by such sages who
can discriminate between
the real and the unreal,
the seer and the seen.
(Seeing the Atma means, self-realisation.)
When the mind & senses (snake hood) is
turned outside, the whole of the phenomenal
world (Drishya)is seen.
The deluded are not able to see Atma (Seer-Drik)
The mind & Senses turned inward
Towards ATMA (Seer-Drik).
If the mind is turned within,
kept calm, pure and firm,
Atma is beheld. CH 6
If the mirror(mind) is turned to us,
we see ourselves.
if he turns mind inside God is realized.
In chapter six, Krsna outlines the path of dhyana yoga (technically called astanga yoga, "the
eightfold path"), a mechanical meditative practice meant to control the mind and senses, and
focus one's concentration on Paramatma (Supersoul), the form of Krsna, (Visnu), within the
heart.
The self is full of such sense objects and it has to be unburdened. For this, the senses have
to be controlled and turned inwards. This is not an easy task but requires constant
attention and practice.
22

Gita - Chapter 6 Outline of sections:
A. Advancing in
Yoga Through
Detached Work
(6.1-4 )
B. From the
Yogarurukñu Stage to
the Yogarudha Level —
Coming to the Point at
Which One can Give up
Work (6.5-9)
C. Stages in the
Practice of
Astanga Yoga
(6.10-32)
D. The Mind
and Yoga
Practice
(6.33-36)
E. The
Destination of
the
Unsuccessful
Yogi (6.37-45)
F. The
Topmost
Yogi
(6.46-47)
Bhagvad gita Study by Bhakti Caitanya
23

1. The mind as friend or enemy. One has to deal with it
to avoid problems and then gain from its help (5-6)
6.8. lower stage of
yogarudha
Sees all object equally
– Pebbles, gold, stone
.Fully satisfied by jnana and
vijnana(6.8)
2. Symptoms of one who has controlled the
mind and come to yogarudha stage (7-9) One
has to have come to this level to give up work,
and concentrate fully on añtanga yoga.
Gita - Chapter 6 - SECTION B. From the Yogarurukñu Stage to the Yogarudha Level — Coming to the Point at Which
One can Give up Work (5-9) *****
(This is a different concept from that of the heading in the book)
5-6. This is what one has to go through to
get to the yogarudha stage.
A. Advancing in
Yoga Through
Detached Work
(6.1-4 )
B. From the
Work (6.5-9)
C. Stages in the
Practice of
Astanga Yoga
(6.10-32)
D. The Mind
and Yoga
Practice
(6.33-36)
E. The
Destination of
the
Unsuccessful
Yogi (6.37-45)
F. The
Topmost
Yogi
(6.46-47)
Controlled mind as a
friend:
Follows dictation of
Supersoul
Detached from sense
gratification
Result, Elevates us
Uncontrolled mind as an
enemy:
Follows dictation of lust,
anger, illusion, etc.
Attached to sense
gratification Result –
degrades and entangles
6.9. Sees all people equally –
“most advanced stage”
So now he can began his
ashtanga yoga in earnest.
24

6.10. We should engage our bodies and
minds in devotional service.
We should live alone in a secluded place —
at least away from the karmis.We should
control our minds, particularly by keeping
them out of mäyä and engaged in
Kåñëa consciousness.We should be free
from desires and possessiveness.
6.11-12. We may not need to worry so much
about how we sit, but we should fix our
minds on Krishna
6.13-14. We don’t need to worry about our
posture so much, but we should be fearless
through depending on Krishna, free from
sex life, meditate on Krishna and make Him
the goal of our lives.
6.15. In this way the ashtanga yogi
advances, although it takes time.
6.16. Important for devotees. (eat half of
capacity, quarter water, quarter air. If eat too
little then too much air.
That causes problems.)
6.17. Importance of regulation and being
temperant..
The samädhi of such
an advanced añtanga
yogé (6.18-23)
6.18-23. A description
of his samädhi.
Further descriptions of the
practice of advanced añtanga
yoga (6.24-25)
Relevant to us in many ways.
6.24. Determination very important. Story of Garuda and sparrow in
purport.
6.26. Very relevant to us.
6.27-28. He advances on until he has realization.
6.29-30. That realization is of Kåñëa, not just the Supersoul. He is
speaking in the first person, whereas in Chapter Five He
spoke in third person about “vibhuh”. In other words he will then
take to devotional service. We must assume he had some
good association.
6.31. Kåñëa makes it clear that He and the Supersoul are actually one
(ekatvam). When the añtanga yogi realizes that the
Supersoul is a partial feature of Kåñëa he will
surrender.
6.32. He has a similar realization as the sages of 5.18, but it is a type
of mixture of paramatma and bhagavan realization.
A. Advancing in
Yoga Through
Detached Work
(6.1-4 )
B. From the
Work (6.5-9)
C. Stages in the
Practice of
Astanga Yoga
(6.10-32)
D. The Mind
and Yoga
Practice
(6.33-36)
E. The
Destination of
the
Unsuccessful
Yogi (6.37-45)
F. The
Topmost
Yogi
(6.46-47)
Bhagvad gita Study by Bhakti Caitanya Swami
ARVIND RAO
25

A. Advancing in
Yoga Through
Detached Work
(6.1-4 )
B. From the
Work (6.5-9)
C. Stages in the
Practice of
Astanga Yoga
(6.10-32)
D. The Mind
and Yoga
Practice
(6.33-36)
E. The
Destination of
the
Unsuccessful
Yogi (6.37-45)
F. The
Topmost
Yogi
(6.46-47)
26

LIVE IN THE WORLD & BE SPIRITUAL(6.35)
Ex-NAMASMARANA
• OM
RIGHT LEG ABOVE THE
GROUND SYMBOLIC OF
INTELLECT
(DISCRIMINATING POWER
BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG,
REAL AND UNREAL)
LIVE SPIRITUAL LIFE
LEFT LEG touching the ground
symbolic of
MIND( the sense oriented )
or
The leg on the ground symbolizes
Lord Ganesha’s connect with
worldly affairs. The left leg bent
backwards indicates meditation.
This posture hence denotes a
perfect balance between attaining
spirituality and taking care of his
duties.
IS IT POSSIBLE?
GITA-Ch2/33
Ch 12.20
GITA/2.41 to 2.44
Why most of the
Vigrahas show right
leg crossed over left
leg or left foot tucked
under right knee in
sitting posture?
LIVE IN WORLD & DO YOUR
DUTY DILIGENTLY (SWADHARMA)
WHILE THINKING OF GOD &
OFFER ALL THE RESULTS TO HIM.
27

6.37. He is worried that he will give up his material acivity and therefore be a failure materially,
but then he may fail at yoga.
6.38. Then he may end up like a riven cloud.
6.39. He appeals to Krishna for clarification.
6.40. Lord Kåñëa addresses Arjuna as “tata”. This means “friend” but is a particularly endearing
term. Lord Krishna’s heart is melting as He replies.
He is trying to put Arjuna at ease.
This is somewhat related to 2.40
6.41. Refers to a yogi who falls down after short practice.
Because he still has material desires he goes to heaven for some time.
Gita - Chapter 6 - Section E. The Destination of the Unsuccessful Yogi (6.37-45)
6.42. Refers to a yogi who falls after long practice of yoga.
He has no material desires, but has not reached success yet when he dies.
Takes birth in family of devotees, so can advance easily.
6.43-45. Taking birth in such a family he becomes automatically attracted to the yogic principles,
due to the impressions from the previous life. He then advances on and finally achieves the goal
A. Advancing in
Yoga Through
Detached Work
(6.1-4 )
B. From the
Work (6.5-9)
C. Stages in the
Practice of
Astanga Yoga
(6.10-32)
D. The Mind
and Yoga
Practice
(6.33-36)
E. The
Destination of
the
Unsuccessful
Yogi (6.37-45)
F. The
Topmost
Yogi
(6.46-47)
28

Gita - Chapter 6 - Section F. The Topmost Yogi (6.46-47)
KRISHNA explains that of all people in this world yogis are best, and of yogis the
bhakti-yogi is the best.
6.47. The devotee is the highest of all yogis
Explain the term “bhaj” from Çréla Prabhupäda’s purport. “The word bhajate is significant here.
Bhajate has its root in the verb bhaj, which is used when there is need of service.
In this verse also the word bhajanti is used. Therefore, bhajanti is applicable to the Supreme Lord
only, whereas the word "worship" can be applied to demigods or to any other common living
entity.
The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti yoga. All other yogas are but means to
come to the point of bhakti in bhakti-yoga. “
6.46. The yogi is the best of classes.
A. Advancing in
Yoga Through
Detached Work
(6.1-4 )
B. From the
Work (6.5-9)
C. Stages in the
Practice of
Astanga Yoga
(6.10-32)
D. The Mind
and Yoga
Practice
(6.33-36)
E. The
Destination of
the
Unsuccessful
Yogi (6.37-45)
F. The
Topmost
Yogi
(6.46-47)
29

GITA CH 6
WHY SHOULD I INVEST MY TIME IN MEDITATION?
30

http://tripurashakti.com/meditation-a-universal-process/
WHY MEDITATION ?
31

-Its not a process of figuring out something new by thinking or analyzing your way to it.
-Its not a process of doing, but rather to support the natural process that occurs when
you stop doing or in other words you allow this natural process to happen.
-It is allowing the movement to fall away.
-It is allowing the sounds to go back to stillness.
-It is allowing the forms to merge back into the formless.
-It is allowing for the entanglements to release there grip.
-It is a process of subsiding so you naturally fall into deeper levels of your being.
http://tripurashakti.com/meditation-a-universal-process/
From scattered –> to one-pointed
concentration
From imbalance –> to equilibrium
From contraction –> to expansion
From ignorance –> to all-knowing
A one-pointed mind supports the process of subsiding as it is less or no more
distracted by the movements and entanglements that float around in the mind-field,
but is willing to concentrate on the object you want it to concentrate upon.
Increasing mastery over the mind will gradually transform you from imbalance,
32

to feeling
When you make the scattered mind one-pointed and
concentrated it can systematically move inward from gross
to the subtlest and beyond, from words
to subtle
to awareness and
beyond contraction and ignorance
to equilibrium, expansion,
and all-knowing
as it is able to dive deeper
into the layers of your being.
From complexity –> to simplicity 33

We must bear in mind that Karma is the product of the "eleven senses," so that if we conquer all the senses we
shall stop Karma. This the Yogi proceeds to do by training his mental faculties to be conscious of nothing else but
Jiva (consciousness). Thus even mental activity is not permitted. The training is consummated in eight stages.
The samädhi of such an advanced
añtanga yogé (6.18-23)
6.18-23. A description of his
samädhi.
34

YOGA
https://tranquilsoul.ca/yoga-2/eight-foldpath/
36

YOGA
37

YOGA
38

http://www.swamij.com/pdf/swamiramateachings.pdf
41

https://www.enlightenedbeings.com/samadhi.html
Samadhi is a spiritual experience that opens us to the
highest state of consciousness and inner bliss. It is stepping
into your enlightened nature that is free from all suffering.
Samadhi is found through diving into a consistent state of
pure consciousness, that is void of attachment to any
thought.
Through this specific Samadhi Meditation you will drop
through the mind chatter and into this intensely relaxing,
super expansive, and deeply healing experience. Samadhi is
being totally 100% synchronistically attuned to the Universe.
d
6.18 - 23 Samadhi
42

https://sites.google.com/site/sadhanaguidance/concepts-1/samadhi
6.18 - 23 Samadhi
The diagram illustrates the nature of samAdhi.
43

https://sites.google.com/site/sadhanaguidance/concepts-1/samadhi
The experience of samAdhi is beyond the stage of experience of inner lights,
sounds and visions of gods or other forms. These are all still within the range
of sense perception,
but samAdhi is a state that is beyond the senses, manas,
buddhi and ahamkAra. That awareness is pre-mind and is
Consciousness in its pure and natural form. It is the natural
state of the Seer.
6.18 - 23 Samadhi
44

OM SHANTI
OM SHANTI
OM SHANTI
Om- let all the deficiencies of this PPT go away
Tat- let this give Bhagavan great happiness
Sat- let this give true lasting benefits
45

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Bhagvad Gita Chapter 6 (Revised 2021): Dhyana Yoga, or Atma samyama Yoga (The yoga of self-control), Flowcharts