42. Self Is Satisfied In The Self By The Self *(6.20-6.24)*

Kṛṣṇa talks about two important things: practice with determination and practice without deviating from the prescribed way. Both are key elements to experience Yoga. After a few days of practice it is easy to fall into inertia, tamas. Our mind has been programmed with our old routine. Determination driven by the quest to experience the Truth is what will give us the energy to practice Yoga.

Next, Kṛṣṇa emphasizes that yoga should be practiced in the prescribed way. All eight parts of Yoga need to be practiced, simultaneously. Even one part of Patañjali's Aṣtāṇga Yoga will take many lifetimes to achieve, given the modern man's mindset.

Please listen! Yama is Integrity. Niyama is Authenticity. Āsana, Prānāyama, Prayāhara, Dhārana are Responsibility. Dhāyana and Samādhi are Enriching.

That is why Kṛṣṇa says, 'Self is satisfied by the Self in the Self, yatra caiva ātmanātmanaṁ paśyann ātmani tuṣyati (6.20).' All of this has to happen together, not part by part. When one aspect is complete, all others also become complete. This is the state of pūrṇa, complete completion. Nothing can be taken away or added to its state of completeness. No joy can make it more blissful, no sorrow can make it less blissful. One becomes centered in bliss.