"This body is referred to as the "field". Those who are versed in this call him who is conscious of it as the "knower of the field". And, O scion of the Bharata dynasty, under-stand Me to be the "Knower of the field" in all the fields. In My opinion, that is Knowledge which is the knowledge of the field and the knower of the field." Bhagavadgita 13.2,3.
The attainment of true knowledge is very tightly connected to the path of meditation. By attaining true knowledge, I achieve deep tranquillity; by calming down and contemplation, I attain knowledge. The realisation of both the fundamental mistakes gives the being undistorted perception of the mind and the imagination created within. Attaining this knowledge brings peace resting on very good knowledge of how the mind works, purification from all that disturbs, and realisation of the true face of affairs. One stay nearly unchanged objectively, but achieves supreme tranquillity and self-control that will not be disturbed by anything that happens in the surrounding world. This tranquillity, in turn, reflects in the objective aspects of life.
Self-enquiry (atmavichara) is the basic method for seeking true knowledge. In this method, I enquire about the source of my mind by asking, "Who am I?" and trying to shift the sense of "I" into the source of my mind and become a mere observer of what happens in the mind. This abidance is only short at first, because your untamed mind will overpower your determination with some distractive thought to carry your awareness away into some created imagination. Then, the body is still sitting in meditation, but the mind dwells elsewhere, with the family, at work, etc. Once you realise this trick of the mind, ask. "To whom had that thought come?" and you will answer, "To me." Now use the basic question, "Who am I?" and get back into the observer of the mind without fighting.
Each subsequent attempt should make the abidance in the observer longer, until you are able to abide in the observer for a very long time during meditation. If your mind keeps turning your attention to a topic, you must analyse the topic closely, and find out why it is that the mind can turn your attention that way. It will certainly be some kind of attachment, which you must reveal knowing the fundamental mistakes of the mind and comprehend entirely. Then take appropriate action to rid the attachment of the power over your awareness. Previous chapter Next chapter
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