Bhagavad Geeta 68 - Chapter 6 - Bannanje Govindacharya (6.17 - 6.19)

Описание: 6.17 explained again due a long gap between the Pravachana sessions.
Context: Mind should be directed towards Bhagavanta through Bhakti which comes through knowledge of his greatness.
Dhyana without a subject (Bhagavanta) is just vacating the mind but without populating it with anything else, This is ultimately not fruitful.
How the point of practices (Vidhi Vidhaanaas) is to purify the mind and aid in Dhyaana. But the point gets lost in practice and there is more focus on the practice itself.
Krishna says one whose diet, relaxation, efforts, sleep and wakefulness are all regulated and disciplined, Yoga/meditation becomes possible and they can destroy their sorrows with it.
Krishna says one must eat appropriately.
It is good to stop eating when one is not yet completely full.
The body knows the time the last meal was taken and it is ideal one eats at the same time everyday.
Yukta - Appropriate in quantity, in the time, and in kind.
Upanishad says that the smallest parts of the food primarily effects mind. Middle part goes to the flesh and body. The grossest part is excreted.
Relaxation - padya used to be a holiday for this reason. Mind should be relaxed for meditation.
Efforts - do work but in a detached way. Ensure good work life balance.
Sleep - appropriate sleep and wakefulness - not too much nor too little.
How Alexis Carrel (French surgeon and biologist) writes that fasting every 15 days helps the body.
Meaning of Upavaasa - remaining elevated in the thoughts of Bhagavanta - and therefore fasting in order to aid that.
Ancient people slept for 4 hours and remained awake for 20 hours. Waking up at 4:30 in the morning to get the benefits of Brahma Muhurta is recommended. But take more rest if body needs it, body is a treasure and must be cared for.

6.18
Krishna says that when one has full control over their Chitta/memories (not remembering mundane material experiences and only focuses on the memories of Bhagavanta’s knowledge), then he will see Bhagavanta within himself (Paramaatma Saakshaatkaara after Aatma Saakshaatkaara).

6.19
This sight of Bhagavanta that a Yogi with a controlled mind has within himself can be compared to a still flame in a place without wind - that doesn’t flicker.