Seven "productive detachment" ideas from Bhagavad Gita
Introduction
Bhagavad Gita is the most studied book among the Vedic literature.
Many criticize Bhagavad Gita claiming that it over- emphasizes detachment, renunciation, withdrawal…etc.
However this is not true. Lord Krishna specifically mentions that "conscious action" is way better than "compulsive inaction" (5:2).
There are many more such verses where Krishna emphasizes active engagement with the world, instead of outright renunciation.
Krishna also teaches us "productive detachment" i.e. staying away from those aspects of life which are unproductive, counterproductive, compulsive, harmful etc.
For instance, in the famous verse no. 47 of chapter 2, Krishna declares that we are not entitled to demand a result the way we wish. Instead we are entitled to perform our duty to the best of our abilities. This is heavily criticized claiming that this mindset kills competitiveness because, if our work is not "result oriented" we become lazy. The truth is that Krishna is promoting a "process oriented" approach (rather than "result oriented" action), wherein we focus on progressive excellence by leaving the results to the cosmic order.
The detachment taught by Krishna is not unproductive rather it is highly productive for those who strive for excellence. However those who strive for immediate pleasure and competitive action, criticize Krishna's teachings.
Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you seven "productive detachment" ideas taught by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. In the next write-up, we will share the first idea "Self is distinct from the body".
Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study Bhagavad Gita and implement them in your day to day life.
All the best
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
1. Self is distinct from the body
In the second chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains the "self" as a non-physical entity, distinct from the physical body and a mirror image of the almighty (2.16-25).
However, in materialism, there is no "self" and we are just a combination of atoms with a distinct neural network. "Self" is an illusion created by this neural network as an accident in the evolutionary process. One may note that this claim is not based on scientific discovery, rather it is based on "absence of physical evidence". Common sense suggests that "lack of evidence" is not THE evidence.
In Vedanta, "self" is a brute fact because of our "first person experience" which is self-evident.
Realizing Lord Krishna’s teaching on the “self” creates a "productive detachment" in us; i.e. We stand detached from the world, our body and our mind. We become the observers of all the worldly events including our body & minds. Without this detachment, we interact with the world as a stakeholder without realizing the flow of the cosmic order. But with this “productive detachment” we become observers by raising the level of our awareness & consciousness. This enables an unfettered mind which is the key to the realization of the almighty.
You may adopt a daily meditation practice where you consciously observe your "first person experience". You may start observing your sensory experiences, then your mental waves and then your very existence. This develops a productive detachment and helps you advance in your spiritual journey.
In the next write-up we will discuss the second idea "Withdrawal of senses".
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
2. Withdrawal of senses
In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna emphasizes heavily on “indriya nigraha” (self-regulation) and in Chapter 2, he says “One who is able to withdraw the senses from their stimuli, like a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is present in the highest wisdom” (verse 58).
Contemporary psychologists & therapists also suggest “self-regulation” to combat many of today’s self-inflicted mental and physical disorders. E.g. A self-regulation to follow a strict balanced-diet is suggested to combat obesity and other disorders.
Self-regulation is also important in our efforts to achieve certain goals. E.g. in order to wake up early in the morning, avoiding late night binge-watching is essential.
Simply put, “self-regulation” is withdrawal of senses. I.e. When an external stimuli is in contact with our senses, rather than compulsively indulging in the senses, we withdraw our senses so that the external stimuli do not affect us. E.g. Before going to bed, when we pick up our mobile phone to set the alarm, we come into contact with external stimuli like Netflix or other apps. At that moment, if we are able to withdraw our senses, avoid the compulsive urge to watch and go to sleep, then we have achieved self-regulation.
Self-regulation (“indriya nigraha”) is one of the ideas for “productive detachment” taught by Lord Krishna. With this, we can stay away from those aspects of life which are unproductive, counterproductive, compulsive, harmful etc.
You may adopt a daily meditation practice (before going to bed) wherein you consciously observe all the compulsive moments of the day and tell yourself to do “indriya nigraha” the next day. When similar stimuli come into contact, your subconscious will remember the last night’s direction and will help you withdraw your senses. With this you will achieve self-regulation and also achieve your goals.
In the next write-up we will discuss the third idea "equal treatment of success & failure".
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
3. Equal treatment of success and failure
Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, called equal treatment of success and failure as "yoga" (2:48). This is the key to maintain a balanced mind and a balanced mind is the key to resize the almighty.
However, materialist consumerism suggests that - we have only one life, we should strive for success, failure is not an option etc. This has led to anxiety, depression and many other mental disorders. At the global level, it is contributing to artificial climate catastrophes.
On the other hand, once we accept the fact that our success & failures are part of a grand cosmic order churning our cycle of karma, we become conscious of our thoughts & actions. This enables us to treat success and failure equally. This is a "productive detachment" wherein we are not shying away from action, but are detached from its results.
You may adopt a daily meditation practice (before going to bed) where you consciously observe all your daily moments of both success and failure. Later when you face them, your subconscious will remember the direction of last night and will help you treat them equally. With this you will achieve a stable mind and also achieve your goals.
In the next write-up we will discuss the fourth idea "equal treatment of all life".
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
4. Equal treatment of all life
In Bhagwad Geeta, Lord Krishna calls those who treat all lives equally as "samadarshinah" (5.18). However this is easier said than done.
Our treatment of other lives is heavily influenced by our society. E.g. if we are part of Hindu society, we hesitate killing a cow; but if we are part of Muslim society, we won't. Apart from society, our own memories, biases and cognitive dissonance, influence how we treat other lives at our individual level.
Due to this, we seldom treat all lives equally. Moreover, we show very less regard to the emotions of other lives by considering them object of our pleasure (e.g. when we ride an elephant, go for trophy hunting, industrialize meat production & dairy farming…etc)
In Vedanta, all lives are suffering the bondage of the cycle of birth and death. Ignorance causes this bondage and knowledge liberates. Everything including liberation is ultimately subject to the order of cosmic consciousness I.e. the almighty. Once you realize this, your intellect is fixed in almighty and you become compassionate towards all lives around. Society, your memories, your biases etc no longer influence you.
This wisdom shared by Lord Krishna helps us to productively detach from society, our own memories, biases etc. Rather than revolting against society or sinking into depression, we start working towards the well-being of all lives.
While meditating you may adopt a mental affirmation "I will treat all lives equally". This will help you purify your mind and fix it on the almighty.
In the next write-up we will discuss the fifth idea "surviving like a lotus leaf".
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
5. Surviving like a lotus leaf
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says “those who submit their karma to the almighty by foregoing all attachments, are not touched by sin, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water”. (5:10)
Due to their “hydrophobicity” (with waxy coating), lotus leaves do not decay in water even though they dwell in water. Whereas other vegetation due to their “hydrophilic” nature absorb water, dissolve & decay.
In Vedanta, all lives are bound to the law of karma and constantly absorb the “phala” (karmic results) like other vegetation absorbing water. But only those who realize that all our karma is part of a grand cosmic order and submit their karma to the cosmic consciousness i.e. the almighty - do not absorb “phala”. Like a lotus leaf which stays in water, they continue to function in the world but their karma now has a waxy coating of knowledge and they remain unaffected by the karmic results. Krishna’s metaphor of lotus leaves is a beautiful idea for “productive detachment”.
Once a person forgoes all attachments and performs his / her duties with a productive detachment, he / she no longer consciously commits any sin. However, unconsciously there are many sins that are committed by everyone. E.g. While walking, we unknowingly kill many small lives. These unconscious sins also accumulate as karmic results. In the aforesaid verse, Krishna gives a relief; i.e. the one who has productive detachment and submits all karma to the almighty, is not touched by any sin.
You may adopt a meditative practice (preferably before going to bed) wherein you consciously observe all your conscious & unconscious actions of the day and submit all of them to the almighty. Over time, your subconscious will remember this direction and will help you productively detach from worldly affairs. With this you will achieve harmony with nature and also achieve your goals.
In the next write-up we will discuss the sixth idea "mind as a friend and an enemy".
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
6. Mind as a friend and an enemy
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says “For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy” (6:6)
In Vedanta, the “self” resides under many layers of reality. Important layers are the world, the body, the senses and the mind. All worldly experiences seep through these layers and ultimately to the “self”.
The mind is the closest physical reality to the “self” and it acts as an agent between the “self” and the senses. E.g. When senses are engaged in watching a favorite movie, the mind is engrossed in senses - pulling the “self” with it. On the other hand, if the mind is in despair, even the experience of favorite food does not seep into the “self”.
Krishna teaches that once we take control of this agent / mind, it acts as our friend; if not, it acts as our enemy. Taking control of the mind is essential in achieving “productive detachment”. I.e. we can engage or withdraw ourselves from the senses whenever we wish to do so. However, this is easier said than done. One has to rigorously practice higher meditation techniques, constantly study Vedanta and perform total submission to the almighty.
You may learn Vipassana from a proper teacher which will help you to a great extent in taking control of your mind. Though the spiritual idea of Vipassana is different from Vedanta, it can act as a great tool in achieving productive detachment and also your other goals.
In the next write-up we will discuss the seventh idea "three gates of hell".
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
—
7. Three gates of hell
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says “three gates leading to the hell of self-annihilation are “lust, anger, and greed”. Therefore, one should abandon all three.” (16:21)
In popular culture, all the three are not only normalized but to a large extent justified and glorified. This is not based on any value system, but only to enrich a few corporations. This is not only destroying society’s productivity but enabling self-annihilation of individuals. E.g. Growing access to the internet is leading to uncontrolled lust and porn-addiction, which is destroying youth’s time & energy. Venting-out anger is considered freedom of expression, which is destroying logic & reasoning in the social fabric. When wicked businessmen & criminals are glorified, their greed has become a model for enhancing individual wellbeing, effectively destroying individual’s relationship with other humans, animals & nature.
Krishna teaches us to discard lust, anger & greed; yet engage in the world for “loka-sangraha” (i.e. performing actions for the wellbeing of everything & everyone around us). This is a “productive detachment” which avoids self-annihilation and also enables individuals to actively engage in worldly affairs.
You may adopt a daily meditation practice (before going to bed) wherein you consciously observe all the compulsive moments of the day which drove you towards lust, anger and greed. Then tell yourself to discard all such compulsive reactions the next day. When similar stimuli come into contact, your subconscious will remember the last night’s direction and will help you perform your duties without compulsiveness. With this you will avoid self-annihilation and also achieve your goals.
Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought you seven "productive detachment" ideas taught by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita.
Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study Bhagavad Gita and implement them in your day to day life.
All the best
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
