Shlokas 36 and 37 of chapter 3 in the Gita are eye-openers.
36 has Arjuna asking Krishna why people sin, despite knowing better. And he’s not asking about normal people. He’s asking about those very close to or even at, the pinnacle of spiritual progress. The jnaana yogis.
A jnaana yogi practitioner truly sees everything as the same – no discrimination. He sees the Atman not just in himself, but also in everyone around him. And he also experientially understands that all of these are no different from paramatma. Even so, our mythology is replete with the greatest of rishis, committing the gravest of mistakes, and falling from glory. So Arjuna wants to know why.
The Lord answers in 37, that this is all only because of our desires. “Desire is a great devourer – a great sinner, this is the enemy.”
My Guru is very clear on this too. It might sound boring. But if you want moksha, then this is the way (channelling my inner Mandalorian!). Not for material objects mind you – so not about praying for promotions and bonuses and topping in exams or begetting progeny, but for moksha alone. He doesn’t advise any maha mudras, or maha mantras, or maha japas, or any kundalini rising, or maha meditations – nothing. The only requirement he says, is to give up desires and attachments – that’s it. Can it get simpler?
Giving up desires and attachments needs lot of conditioning. Is it not so? Can you simply give it up. If it was so everyone can do it easily. My understanding is that you need some medium to reach there and the simplest and easiest way to attempt to turn in that direction is to start with Maha mantra of Hare Krishna. Correct me if my understanding is incorrect. This is what ISKCON also says.
Yes you are absolutely right mama. Impossible to give up easily. It is a destination that one can only hope to reach. Even the great saints have been waylaid!
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