Chapter 3: Nishkama Karma Yoga: Unleash Inner Peace Through Selfless Action: Shlokas 7 to 12

Importance and benefits of mind and sense control

In the previous verses, Krishna is warning Arjuna not to misunderstand that inaction will yield no reaction and to also avoid the hypocrisy of physical renunciation without purification and control of the mind.

Here, Krishna is saying that those karma yogis who control their senses using their mind and intellect and engage in work without attachment, are certainly superior.

Our minds are like sponges, absorbing stimuli from the world around us via our five senses. Think of it this way: our mind extends outwards through our senses, interacting with and perceiving the physical world. This interaction is so deep and intricate that if our mind is not in sync with our senses, we may not perceive things that are right in front of us. For example, we may be so engrossed in watching a movie that we don't realize who came and sat right next to us. Instances like this show us the powerful role our mind plays in perception.

Consider our minds as a bustling city. The buildings are our thoughts, the roads are neural pathways, and the cars are our focus, constantly moving from one thought to another. Now, let's say we want to control traffic in this city - direct it in a certain way or make it stop altogether. Trying to do this without a plan is like standing in the middle of a highway during rush hour and expecting cars to stop or change their direction just because we want them to. Not only is it nearly impossible, but it's also hazardous and can cause harm to us and others.

Similarly, our minds, when engaged with the sensory world, are bustling and active. Thoughts and perceptions are flowing in like cars on a highway. Trying to forcefully control this flow with sheer willpower is like trying to stop a river during a flood with bare hands - it's not just futile, but it can also lead to frustration and mental exhaustion.

What we need instead is a well-planned, gradual approach. Just like the way a traffic management system eases the flow of vehicles, a mindful approach to our thoughts can help us gain better control over our minds. This doesn't involve abrupt halting or forceful control, but rather a thoughtful redirection of our mental focus. The Bhagavad Gita offers such strategies, including that of tying our minds to the yoke of God consciousness and gradually shortening the length of the rope used to tie it.

There is also the concept of mindfulness in Vedanta and Buddhism, Taoism as well as in modern psychology. Mindfulness, defined as paying full attention to the present moment without judgment, allows us to gain control over our minds and our reactions to sensory input. In the Vedantic context, mindfulness can be seen as a sustained, conscious awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, and actions. It involves observing the mind and its activities closely. This aligns with the teachings of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali where Patanjali defines yoga (union) as "chitta vritti nirodha", which means "the cessation of the modifications of the mind". Through practices like meditation and mindfulness, one can achieve this state, leading to self-realization.

Mindfulness

Vedanta also encourages mindfulness in daily life by advocating "nishkama karma yoga", or the path of selfless action. This involves performing one's duties without attachment to the results, being fully present and engaged in each action. This kind of mindful action helps one develop detachment and equanimity, qualities that aid in spiritual growth.