Major Difference – In Gita Verse 2.68 Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are restrained from their objects is certainly of steady intelligence.
Bhagavad Gita Verse 2.68 emphasises the importance of control over one’s senses to achieve a state of steady intelligence. The wisdom conveyed here can be applied to various aspects of life, including managing emotions such as anger.
Consider the case of a friend who struggles with anger. Despite engaging in extensive prayers and visiting temples, his anger persists. When asked about the source of his anger, he acknowledges it as his own, yet finds it difficult to dissipate. Osho suggested a simple exercise: He wrote a note stating, “I am feeling angry now,” and asked him to carry it in his pocket. Whenever he felt anger rising, he was to read the note and then put it back without taking any further action. Sceptical at first, he followed the advice and returned within five days, amazed at the effectiveness of the exercise. The act of reading the note disrupted his usual response to anger, causing it to dissipate.
This exercise illustrates a fundamental principle: emotions like anger require our cooperation to persist. By simply acknowledging the emotion and refraining from feeding it with further energy, we can diminish its power. This aligns with the teaching of Krishna, who advises Arjuna to become aware of his senses without being controlled by them. By cultivating awareness, one can achieve a state of self-mastery and steady intelligence.
Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna emphasises the importance of living in the present moment. The present moment is not merely a stepping stone to the future; it is the only reality we have. Life unfolds in the now, and by fully embracing it, we can access our deepest wisdom and intelligence. When we resist or try to escape the present moment, we disconnect from the essence of life and become entangled in a web of thoughts and judgments.
To align with the present moment, we must relinquish inner resistance and accept life as it is. This acceptance allows life to unfold naturally and beautifully. Krishna’s advice to Arjuna to view the war from a place of inner intelligence rather than external judgement is a call to embrace the present moment fully. By being in the present moment, one can appropriately utilise subjective intelligence, steady intelligence, and universal wisdom. In doing so, Arjuna can perceive the war not as a negative event but as an opportunity for growth and self-realisation.
Fear is a powerful emotion that can significantly impair our intelligence. It primarily originates from the ego’s fear of annihilation, perceiving any threat to its identity as a threat to its existence. This fear manifests in various forms, such as the compulsive need to be right or the fear of failure. The ego’s fear of death influences every aspect of life, including seemingly trivial matters like winning arguments. When we identify with a mental position, being wrong feels like a threat to our very existence. This is why the ego cannot tolerate being wrong – it equates it with death. However, by disidentifying from the mind and the ego, these fears lose their power over us. Our sense of self then emerges from a deeper, more stable place within, unaffected by external circumstances. This shift allows us to navigate life with greater clarity and resilience.
Krishna advises Arjuna that by employing intelligence, one transcends the notions of attacking or defending in the context of war; this is a major difference when we use our intelligence. This distinction is significant; utilising one’s intelligence means neither engaging in aggression nor in defence, but rather becoming an instrument of the universe. In this enlightened state, one can fulfil their universal duty by engaging in conflict without harbouring enmity.
Krishna’s profound insights into achieving steady intelligence through the restraint of senses and the cultivation of present-moment awareness. By acknowledging and releasing emotions like anger and fear, we can connect with our true selves and act from a place of inner wisdom. This allows us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and clarity, fulfilling our roles with a sense of purpose and peace.
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