Discourse of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji after three day Bhagavad Gita lecture – July 7, 2006 – Datta Yoga Centre, Trinidad
Today I am very happy. For one and half hours, I was in Yoga Nidra – Yoga sleeping. Some devotees had an accident and two operations were going on devotees. I was very busy. The devotee was protected completely. My physical body was here. Nath was speaking on Bhagavad Gita. When Nath started to speak about Sahaja Samadhi I came back. You all probably thought I was sleeping. By posture seemed so. When I am sleeping, I am working. When I am working, I am sleeping. 24 hours some work goes on. When composing Bhajans, I am in wakeful state. When I am not composing the state differs. It is very difficult to understand Yogic actions. Just now we heard from Dr.Nath about Yogic actions. Dr.Nath very nicely explained. He creates interest in beginners about Bhagavad Gita. When we dig deep, we get water. Should we dig deeper, we may get oil also. When you keep on meditating, you become perfect in meditation. But don’t forget reality. You must respect environment, family and body. Don’t do extra ordinary meditation techniques. Don’t give hindrance to any body else. Become introvert should it so require. Many people have the weird habit of meditating in a exhibitionistic way and make people gasp or wary. People may even think that he is psychologically instable.
This is human body. You should live in the present and give respect to the surroundings. That is the final statement of Bhagavad Gita. Kartavya and Prayatna – Duty and effort. Respect your Indriyas (sense organs). Don’t ignore your Indriyas. Keep them in control. Don’t neglect. If you neglect them, you get sick. If you give too much respect to Indriyas, you go to hell. Neither neglect nor give too much respect. You have to balance. Moderation is important. Lead a stereo life of neglect and respect. Moderation in speech, sleep, hobbies, friends, thoughts will mature you. Don’t show too much devotion. That is also a big danger these days.
Sadguru will gauge your devotion. Don’t boast or try to show off. Many try to chant my name 24 hours. According to me this is madness. Such things are just devotion drama. Devotion should be sincere not decorative. Some try to dupe me too. Duty is beauty. Gita speaks of two kinds of Duties. One is commitment to life which keeps on correcting itself. The second is Dharma. Natural feeling, the feeling of reality is Dharma. If you eat too much, you need to fast, take medicine etc., Breathing is Natural Kartavya – duty. Don’t go against it. Inhaling and exhaling is Sahaja Kartavya (natural duty). Don’t try to change it. Both duties are your responsibilities. One duty is computerized and God given. The other duty is your making. God is only a witness to your deeds and misdeeds.
We take different roads but only to one goal. Shaivas, Vaishnavas, Buddhists etc., I like Chapati, You like Pizza. Taste is only to the tongue. Salt, sweetness is only to the tongue. When it goes inside, it is a tasteless mixture. That is God’s creation. Yogis have no interest in food. They eat little to protect Praana. If you taste that is your responsibility. If you untaste, then it is HIS responsibility. Then, should you be senseless? No. God is beauty. You should appreciate beauty but not get stuck with that. Yogis like senseless (without feelings) state. When you sit continuously in one position, you get numb. Even when you pinch there is no feeling. After the blood circulates in the region, the feeling is regained.
Shankaraacharya entered Parakaaya Pravesha through Sahaja Samadhi. It is possible only when the second duty is dutifully and carefully observed. One can proceed to second duty only after observing first duty. But one has to go to second Kartavya. But unfortunately many get stuck in the first duty (senseful state) and never proceed to the Yogic state. Bhagavad Gita is an eye opener for such aspirants. You must adhere to Swamiji’s preachings and not teachings. Dr.Nath has wonderfully given an intriduction to Bhagavad Gita. Gita is like mother and very compassionate. We shall slowly introduce more such lessons. Probably next year we shall plan a Hanumantha Yajna and A Bhagavad Gita lecture series. The past three days of Gita lecture was the beginning of the lecture and it will go on.
Jaya Guru Datta