Bhakti transforms our solitary struggle with the mind into a cooperative conquest (Gita Daily)

Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06, Text 47
By Chaitanya Charan Das

“What is the best way to control the mind?” To this universal question of all spiritual seekers, the Bhagavad-gita answers: bhakti-yoga.

Let’s see how and why.

In its sixth chapter, the Gita outlines ashtanga-yoga as a means to mind control. But Arjuna (06.33) candidly confesses its impracticality due to the mind’s refractory nature. In response, Krishna (06.35) empathizes with Arjuna and encourages him to persevere in striving for mind control without recommending any specific path. While concluding the chapter, he declares (06.47) that the topmost yogis fix their minds on him.

To attain that perfection of a mind attached to him, Krishna in the next chapter (07.01) summarizes an alternative way: bhakti-yoga. Later, (08.14), he declares that for those who fix their mind on him, success is easy (sulabhah). This is the only instance in the whole Gita of any process being called easy. Thus, the Gita endorses bhakti-yoga as the best means to mind control.

Read More – http://www.gitadaily.com/2014/02/20/bhakti-transforms-our-solitary-struggle-with-the-mind-into-a-cooperative-conquest/