Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 10

योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः | एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ||

yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ ekākī yata-cittātmā nirāśīr aparigrahaḥ

A yogi should constantly engage the self in meditation, remaining in seclusion, alone, with controlled mind and body, free from desires and possessions.

Krishna begins the meditation guidelines by describing the ideal conditions for practice. 'Yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ'—a yogi should constantly (satatam) engage (yuñjīta) the self (ātmānaṁ) in meditation. This means: meditation isn't occasional—it's a constant practice, a continuous engagement. 'Rahasi sthitaḥ'—remaining (sthitaḥ) in seclusion (rahasi). This means: a quiet, private place free from distractions. 'Ekākī'—alone, solitary. This means: solitude is necessary for deep meditation. 'Yata-cittātmā'—with controlled (yata) mind (citta) and self (ātmā). This means: the mind and body must be disciplined, controlled, focused. 'Nirāśīr aparigrahaḥ'—free from desires (nirāśīḥ) and possessions (aparigrahaḥ). This means: you can't meditate deeply if you're attached to desires or material things. These are the prerequisites: seclusion, solitude, controlled mind, freedom from desires and possessions.