Brahmanubhuti Talk 51
(Characteristics of Sthitaprajna – Contemplation)
Let us contemplate on another characteristic of Sthithaprajna.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Shloka 61:
“Taani sarvani sanyamya yukta aseeta matparaha vashehi yasya indriyani tasya prajna pratishtitha”.
“Yukta” means, one who has a proper abilityof discrimination. “Taani sarvani sanyamya” – controlling all sense organs. “Matparaha”, contemplating on the Self, in Nidhidhyasa, he sits. One who is able to do that, such a person is a Jnani, Enlightened one.
Arjuna had asked a question – “how does a wise person, a jnani talk? How does he sit? How does he walk?” The answer for the second question, “how does a jnani sit?” – A jnani sits, controlling the sense organs. All sense organs are withdrawn. The mind is focused on the contemplation on the Atma, the Self, and the nature of the Self, or Atma. What is the nature of Self? The Self is Satyam, truth. ‘Chit’ means Consciousness, ‘Ananda’ means infinity. It is not just my Self, it is the Eternal Self; which is the Self of one and all. I am that Self, I am that Brahman, I am that Consciousness. With that understanding, he meditates. Don’t be under the impression that it is only one inner Self. Self of all, it is Paramatma. Your inner Self is the Self of all. You are that inner Self.
On the Self itself, there are many things to contemplate. Self is Poorna; Poorna Atma, I am Poorna. Poorna means, full, or fullness. I don’t have any shortcomings, I am the Poorna. I am infinite, limitless. Asangha – Asangha Atma means, Self is completely detached from anything else. I am Sakshi, I am the witness of the body-mind complex. I am Akarta, Self is non-doer. Abhokta, I am not the enjoyer. Ananda – my nature is bliss. In this way, if you contemplate, the mind becomes tranquil, the mind becomes peaceful and the rasa or desire will go. Why will the desire go? The desire will go, because Atma is Nabhokta, it is not the enjoyer, it is only the Sakshi. Enjoying is happening to the mind. Atma is full, Atma is Poorna, Atma is Anandaroopa. If Atma is Anandaroopa, then why does it need small enjoyments? By contemplating like this, the desires will drop. The desire will drop, by the right contemplation. If you keep on thinking that “I have to drop the desire, I have to drop the desire,” then the desire will strengthen. You have to contemplate that “I am Atman, I am Brahman, I am infinite, I am full, I am peaceful.” Your inner nature has to reflect the Consciousness, which is Infinite. You have to constantly think of your nature, rather than worrying about what you have to drop. Then, what will happen, all the negative contingencies in us, all the desires in us will drop.
Pranams