INTRODUCTION
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Kṛṣṇa uses the word ‘yoginaḥ’ in this verse. It is important to understand what He means by this. Yoga has become a buzzword; a trendy, fashionable word for cool people. Yoga is the link, the union, between the individual self, ātman, and universal Self, cosmic consciousness, Brahman. Awareness of this link, awareness that the self is the same as the Self, leads to liberation. The understanding happens in an instant; however, the practice leading to it requires a disciplined approach. In today’s world, my opinion is that dhyāna, meditation, is best suited for spiritual progress and for the realization that one’s self is part of that cosmic Self.
Kṛṣṇa says that until that awareness happens, however much one may strive, one will not reach Him.
Understand, here we are talking about awareness, not achievement. The truth is that our individual self is an integral part of the Universal consciousness, the Self.
This truth is not something that we need to work towards. It exists. It is. We are blinded by individual ego, māyā, the illusion of our individual identity, in forgetting that we are part of the Collective consciousness. Yogis, sincere spiritual practitioners, lift this veil of māyā, destroy the illusion, to see beyond into the truth of their oneness with the Divine.
Meditation is the path and technique to lift this veil. Meditation enables the practitioner to go deeper and deeper into himself. Meditation brings about awareness of what is.