Gita 14.23
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
उदासीनवदासीनो गुणैर्यो न विचाल्यते | गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येव योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते ||२३||
udāsīna-vad āsīno guṇair yo na vicālyate | guṇā vartanta ity eva yo 'vatiṣṭhati neṅgate ||23||
In essence: Seated apart like a witness, unmoved by gunas, knowing 'the gunas are acting' - such a one remains stable, unwavering.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Sitting apart sounds like dissociation. Isn't that psychologically unhealthy?"
Guru: "There's a crucial difference. Dissociation is a defense mechanism, a shutting down of awareness. Witnessing is heightened awareness - present to everything but identified with nothing. The dissociated person is absent; the witness is more present than anyone."
Sadhak: "But if I'm just witnessing, how do I engage with life?"
Guru: "Who said witnessing and engaging are opposite? The body-mind continues engaging - speaking, acting, relating. The witness knows: 'gunas are doing this.' There's no separate 'I' claiming to be the engager. Engagement happens; witnessing remains."
Sadhak: "'Gunas are acting' - I can say those words, but I don't really feel it. I still feel like 'I' am the doer."
Guru: "Good - that's honest. The feeling of doership is strong; it won't vanish by philosophy. But look closely: when the feeling of 'I am doing' arises, what is it? Another guna-movement! The claim of doership is itself rajas expressing. Who sees the claim? That seeing is the witness."
Sadhak: "So even my sense of being the doer is witnessed?"
Guru: "Exactly. And the witness of doership cannot be the doer. This recognition, held continuously, is the secret. You don't have to destroy the sense of doership; you just have to recognize who's watching it."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Before rising, practice witnessing. Feel the body wanting to move or stay. Don't identify with the wanting - just observe: 'The body is like this now. Gunas are operating.' This establishes the witnessing position before engagement begins.
When any strong state arises - emotion, desire, resistance - silently note: 'Gunas are operating.' This simple phrase creates a micro-gap between the state and identification with it. You don't have to change the state; just recognize its nature.
Review: were there moments today when you sat apart, witnessing gunas operate? Were there moments you got swept away, lost in the guna-drama? Both are data. The witnessing moments show capacity; the swept-away moments show where practice is needed. Sleep as the witness releasing the day's guna-play.