Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna the secret of Yogic action. Realised souls continue to live and act in this world till they give up their life but their minds are calm and serene and there is no attachment either to the work or to the fruits of their actions. This ideal is attained when one is purified by the right knowledge. A wise man is unaffected by the pairs of opposites like joy and grief, success and failure. Many eulogistic epithets — Stitaprjna, Gunatita, Jnani, etc. — are used by Lord Krishna to refer to those who are constantly engaged in keeping the mind under control.
Silencing the mind is the greatest challenge to an individual as it is ever active and easily eschews time and distance. Arjuna understands that a spiritual aspirant is likely to get discouraged because of this human failing and asks the Lord about how to overcome this, said Swami Mitrananda in a lecture. The Lord agrees that this is a difficult task but gives him the hope that it is not impossible and can be achieved if one has the determination to persevere with constant practice (Abhyasa) and also develop dispassion (Vairagya) towards worldly objects. When we attempt to quieten the mind and we manage it even for a short while, we get a glimpse of the higher truths. At that moment, courage and hope come to a seeker. Banking on this meagre foothold, one has to proceed relentlessly in this path. For instance, regulating the breathing pattern is advised in yogic practice.
We could concentrate on the beautiful mechanism of the constant breathing activity in each one of us — when the vital energy is supplied by the air we breathe in and the impurities expelled when we breathe out. Human emotions, anger, fear, excitement, happiness, anxiety, etc. affect the breathing pattern of an individual.
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Restraining the senses and leading a life of self-control have to become part of this exercise. The outward-bound sense organs that chase worldly objects have to be weaned away from them and made to focus inwards on the Self. We should connect to the divine which is present everywhere and within us. When this happens an individual feels a peace of mind that is at rest and is one with God.