Bhagavad Gita 6.20 · Krishna
Seeing yourself, and being content
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया।
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति॥
yatroparamate cittaṃ niruddhaṃ yogasevayāyatra caivātmanātmānaṃ paśyannātmani tuṣyati
When the mind, stilled by the practice of yoga, comes to rest, and seeing the Self by the self, one is content in the Self.
Words
- ātman
- yoga
What it means
Krishna begins a long, flowing description that runs over four verses. First, the mind settles through yoga practice. Then, in that stillness, a person sees the atman, the true Self, by its own light. What follows is contentment. Not pride in oneself, but quiet gladness in simply being.
The story
Picture a forest pool on a windy day. The surface is all ripples, and you cannot see your face. Then the wind drops. Slowly the water clears, and there you are, looking back at yourself, calm.
In your life
Felix always walks to work with headphones in. This morning he leaves them at home. At first the silence is awkward. By the third street, he notices the trees, his breath, and a quiet gladness.
When the water clears, you see yourself.