Journaling on the Bhagavad Gita
The study group on the Gita just finished. I didn’t join it until about chapter 5, but the classes I attended were fulfilling for me. It was companionable finding others who seem to be on the same path of self reflection and awakening of the spiritual. We used the translation by Eknath Easwaran - with a 60 page introduction to the entire work and a four to six page intro to each chapter. I believe his understanding and insightful comments really eased the transition from western to eastern thought.
One of the core ideals the Gita sets forth is the command to do each action without expectation of reward. "You have the right to the work, but never to the fruit of the work," Krishna tells the main character Arjuna. "Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself - without selfish attachments and alike in success and defeat."
I love Easwaran's explanation of this: "This attitude frees us completely. Whatever comes - success or failure, praise or blame, victory or defeat - we can give it our best with calm unruffled mind. Nothing can shake our courage or break our will; no setback can depress us or make us feel burned out"
This concept of selfless action goes hand in hand with the principle of non-attachment. We practice non-attachment to let go of those things that hold us and the people around us, back. Attachment to results of work, while very western and prized in our society is a failure of non-attachment. Life is a journey, which we have every control over how we act and work during the journey but no control over how or when it ends. We have every right and a duty to our own dharma to do the work we were made to do and which completes us - and the work alone needs to complete us. The results and how others receive and use the results are out of our hands and we must detach ourselves from any thought of reward or acclaim.
I'm finding much of Yoga philosophy speaks to an inner spirituality in me that is thirsting to be understood. And it feels like the philosophy that most meshes with what I believe to be true in the universe. Indeed, much of the Gita has been echoed in Cognitive Therapy, especially the "positive thoughts and actions created positive karma, negative thoughts and actions create negative karma," portions. The particular concept of selfless service, while incredibly difficult to maintain, could be an awakening for me and my writing. So much of my blocks and worries have been about how publishers will receive my work. But writing is my dharma. When I am writing, really writing, there is nothing else on my mind - I feel completed. And the Gita tells me that is enough. It tells me that working my way through query letters and a synopsis will be right work and the results of such right work are unimportant because it is the work that is important. Of course, I am lucky that my livelihood does not depend on getting published. But I know the competitive ugliness of our western society eats at my soul, and breaks down love, kindness and peace between friends and strangers. And that's enough to make me choose a different path.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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