Meditation According to the Bhagavad Gita — Swami Bhaskarananda

Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on November 18, 2012.

In this lecture, Swami Bhaskarananda explains meditation (dhyāna) as presented in the Bhagavad Gita, beginning with Patanjali’s definition: an unbroken flow of the mind toward its chosen object, like a steady stream of oil poured into a bowl. He notes that while the earliest Vedic texts say little about meditation, the Upanishads strongly affirm it—often as contemplation of the indwelling Divine Self (Atman)—and the Gita is regarded as the essence of that Upanishadic teaching. He clarifies the Gita’s use of dhyāna and yoga, describing advanced meditation as the stilling of mental modifications and the gradual merging of the thinker with the object of contemplation through sustained practice.

Swami Bhaskarananda then summarizes the Gita’s practical guidance: Karma Yoga purifies the mind through selfless work, preparing it for meditation; success requires steady effort, dispassion toward sense objects, moderation in eating and sleep, and a quiet, clean, solitary place for practice. He addresses common obstacles—restlessness, distraction, and fluctuating mental states—and emphasizes repeatedly bringing the mind back to the Divine within. Finally, he reassures listeners that sincere spiritual striving is never lost: even if full success is not attained in one life, the impressions of practice remain and support continued progress toward knowledge of the Self over time.