Manage your mind and all becomes possible: Swami Swaroopananda

 

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Sunday, 30 Jul 2023 05:30.

The author is the global head of Chinmaya Mission

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Change management is a topic that is frequently discussed in the corporate world. People constantly change their minds; economic and political situations are volatile and subject to change. How is such uncertainty to be managed?

Those who are familiar with the backdrop of the Mahabharata War are aware that the Pandava prince, Arjuna, knew that a day would come when a war would be waged against the Kauravas. He prepared for it for 30 years. While others merely anguished at the injustice meted out to the Pandavas, Arjuna trained rigorously and acquired divine weapons to battle against Karna, and even his revered Grandsire Bhishma and teacher, Drona. He was well-prepared.

However, we do not know when, where and how this mind is going to trip. Thus, we have to contend with two uncertainties, the ever-changing world and the ever-changing mind.

Who could have foreseen that Arjuna, the mighty warrior, acclaimed to be the best, would suffer a severe psychological breakdown? Confronted with Grandsire Bhishma, Guru Drona, and relatives of the Kaurava forces on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, he started doubting the very purpose of the war. At this crucial moment, for which he had long prepared, he put down his weapons and refused to fight. The Bhagwad Gita was given by Krishna to a grief-stricken, utterly confused Arjuna, unable to think and act rightly. The teachings of the Divine Song were given to one who was an extremely efficient and successful person but temporarily succumbed to the worst depressive condition.

Many people today are in a similar state. Arjuna, before listening to the Gita and after listening to it, presents two contrasting and striking personalities. This clearly establishes how this profound scripture can transform and inspire a person to attain excellence and even exceed it.

It is significant to note that Krishna did not change the outer situation or setting for Arjuna but facilitated a change in the condition and thinking process of his mind.

The Gita is the highest knowledge of self-management. If you can learn to manage the ‘manager’ — your own mind — then, there is no situation that you cannot face or manage in the world.

You can manifest the highest glory. You can make the impossible possible. Do you need greater evidence than Arjuna? He made it possible. Observe his predicament before he received the knowledge of the Gita. Analyse how he was transformed from a state of utter helplessness to become the greatest hero of his time. He did not just make history, he made an epic.

The Gita promises that each one of us is capable of making this change. Thereby, we transform not only ourselves but the entire society.

In the slogam 6:5, the Gita appeals: ‘Lift yourself by your Self. Do not look down upon yourself, do not underestimate yourself.’ It exhorts: ‘Do not remain in your miserable condition. Don’t blame the world for it. Do something.’ We are so busy blaming everyone. We are so preoccupied with the negative that we fail to see our positive qualities, our capabilities.

We can make anything happen. We can achieve anything. Acquaint yourself with the teachings of the Gita, imbibe them, live them, and make the impossible possible.

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