How to Reach Our Energy in Liberation?

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In the last blog on chapter 18, we addressed how Krishna defines the varna or caste system to be based on our natural attributes of guna. Those who consider varna as their birthright should think and behave in a manner appropriate to the natural characteristic of that varna, and not demand it as their birthright.

?We now address the last part of chapter 18. Krishna speaks of how one can realise him as the energy of cosmic consciousness. He says:

?One who is self-controlled, unattached, and disregarding all material enjoyment shall reach my energy of Brahman by the practice of renunciation. They shall be free from karma. Renunciation to realize Brahman can be in the following ways.

·????? Being purified by one’s discrimination, controlling the mind with determination, and giving up the objects of sense gratification

·????? Being freed from attachment and hatred, living in a secluded place, eating little, controlling one’s body, mind and power of speech,

·????? Being always in disengaged meditation, free from ego, pride, lust, anger,

·????? Being in acceptance of whatever happens, free from the ego of ‘I’ and ‘mine’, and in equanimity

Such a person is Self-realised and in the Brahman consciousness of bliss. They never desire anything. Or lament not having something. They are equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state, they are in pure devotional service to my energy. One can understand my energy as I am only through devotion. When one is in full consciousness of my energy by such devotion, one can unite with my energy. However much one may be engaged in any kind of action, one reaches the eternal and imperishable abode of my energy in devotion.

?Lean on me and work under my protection in whatever you do. Through such devotional service, be fully conscious of me. If you become conscious of me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by the grace of my energy. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through ego, not hearing me, you will be lost. If you do not act according to my direction and do not engage in this battle, you’re misdirected. By your nature, you must be engaged in warfare. If your deluded ego declines to engage in warfare, your guna will. Your karma will drive you to it.

My energy lives in everyone’s heart directing the life journey of all living entities, who are seated as if on a machine moving with the machine without any control, made of material energy. Surrendering to my energy, you will attain transcendental peace and reach the supreme and eternal abode. Reflect on the knowledge I have imparted to you, and then do what you wish to do. As my dear friend, I give you this supreme knowledge, the most confidential of all. Listen, it is for your benefit.

I promise that one who studies this sacred conversation between us will reach my energy. One who listens with faith and without envy will become free from sinful reactions and attain the auspicious planets where the pious dwell.

Arjuna, have you heard this with an attentive mind? Have your ignorance and illusions been dispelled?

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Arjuna says:

My dear Krishna, my delusions are now gone. I have regained my memory by your mercy. I am now firm, free from doubt, and ready to act according to your instructions.

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Sanjaya says to Dhritarashtra:

This is what Krishna said.

?I have heard the wonderful conversation of two great souls, Krishna and Arjuna. My hair stands on end. By the mercy of Vyasa, I have heard these most confidential talks directly from the master of all mysticism, Krishna, who was speaking personally to Arjuna. As I repeatedly recall this wondrous and holy dialogue between them, I am thrilled at every moment. As I remember the form of Krishna, I rejoice again and again.

?Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.

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Reflection

We are our three guna. There is no escape. These guna are born of Prakriti, nature, in her power of maya, delusion. They are the carry-over of our past actions. Prakriti has also given us the power of Self, the Atman, to discriminate and destroy our delusions. We need to realise that as long as we believe we are mindbody matter, ruled by our mind and senses, we remain deluded. When we realise that our mindbody matter is merely a casing, and we are energy beings in essence, we become the undeluded disengaged Self. It is that simple.

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Krishna uses the word bhakti loosely translated as devotion as the pathway to realise his energy. Bhakti, devotional unconditional surrender; karma, selfless actions and gnana, discriminating critical intelligence are considered pathways to Self or Energy realisation. Of these, the purest form is unconditional acceptance in gratitude and devotion to that energy state. Devotion alone is heart-based, with no cognition involved. It’s total surrender to the higher power. Liberation is guaranteed to those who surrender in devotion.

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Wherever Krishna uses the word 'me' it refers to his energy as the Parabrahman, the energy source of all creation.

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The end of this chapter, the end of Gita, is the phala sruti. The benefits arising from reading and listening to the scripture of Gita are listed. May you be blessed!

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Learn to meditate. Start with breath and body awareness. Move to mind awareness. Then to energy awareness. Expand and be the universe. Become the witness in whatever you do with your mindbody, acting without attachment to the outcome.

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Join us in our programs to take you further on this spiritual path.

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The Bhagavad Gita is the message for today. If you liked what you read, share with another 20 or 30, and request them to share. We may open closed minds, hearts and will.

Ram is a co-founder and mentor at Coacharya. Ram's focus is the integration of Eastern wisdom with modern science, spiritually, systemically and sustainably. Visit Coacharya. https://coacharya.com