सर्वद्वाराणि संयम्य मनो हृदि निरुध्य च | मूर्ध्न्याधायात्मन: प्राणमास्थितो योगधारणाम् || 12 || |
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“Restraining all the doors of the senses, fixing the mind within the heart, and directing prana to the head, one should get established firmly in yogic concentration.”
Commentary: In these verses, Lord Krishna explains the practice of yoga and the process of attaining control over the senses, mind, and life force.
Consider the rhythmic beating of your heart—a constant, pulsating rhythm that signifies an underlying vibrating energy. The same energy beats the hearts in billions of humans and animals, moves planets and stars in infinite cycles. This energy is not chaotic; it expresses in a consistent manner according to a universal law. This leads us to a contemplation: could this vibrating energy possess an intelligence that surpasses the mechanical aspect?
The uniformity of energy in the universe certainly suggests an intelligence governing every process. It is not a random occurrence; It adheres to an intricate design. This Intelligent Energy ensures that life doesn’t sprout or cease arbitrarily.
Now, consider this: if something is an intelligent vibrating energy, wouldn’t it logically be conscious? Intelligence and awareness are intertwined. So, this pulsating energy behind your heartbeat is not merely a mechanical force; It is also conscious.
Let’s address the chaos in the world. This vibrating, intelligent and conscious Power, despite its ability to create, preserve, and destroy, cannot be solely responsible for world chaos. Humans contribute significantly to this disorder. Thus, this Power has endowed humans with free will—an aspect even beyond Its control. In times of overwhelming evil and chaos created by humans, consider the emergence of prophets and divine beings—Rama, Krishna, Vishnu, Shiva and many others. Who sends them? It is undoubtedly the same Power. Why does It send these emissaries? The reason lies in the Power’s inherent desire to guide erring humans, revealing an underlying current of love. Hence, this Power is also filled with love.
Something inherently loving must be joyful within. Therefore, this conscious Power is not only vibrating, intelligent, and loving energy but also joyful in Its nature. This culmination of qualities is what we refer to as Spirit or God.
Can a form exist everywhere? To be omnipresent, it must be formless. Your true existence within your own physical body is formless. You can feel a pinch on any part of your body even when you close your eyes because you are omnipresent in your body. Similarly, Spirit is omnipresent in Its Universal Body, but our sense-driven mind, body-identified ego and oscillating heart have created an internal barrier over the ages.
Lord Krishna says that the aspiring yogi must master the control of senses, channeling life energies upward through an elevated understanding of the mind and disciplined regulation of the heart. This unlocks the full potential of the human brain, paving the way for a profound union with God. Is there any reason why we should not bow, surrender and make effort to merge with such a formless, vibrating, intelligent, conscious, loving, and joyful Spirit of God?