More lessons from Bhagavad Gita

To want to live in a more peaceful world does not devalue any person who has sacrificed his or her life to protect us in war. It devalues wars that are fought for nonsensical purposes, the ones that are fought over belief, property, and religion.

When we look at the history of the World as a battlefield and war as a solution for conflict, it doesn’t work. Mostly, this is because we have taken an internal process and translated it to the external world. The internal process is the battle between a selfish, ego-driven life and one of love.

The Bhagavad Gita tells the story of an epic battle which took place in 3000 BC, the advice given by Krishna to Arjuna who awakens to his fear and doubt on the battlefield. It is there that he learns the lessons of life and how to conquer his fears and doubts. A greater gift could not be given to those who serve than to conquer their own fear and doubt.

Unfortunately, we misplace value on winning or losing the battle itself as if we should always win.

“You have a right to engage in actions, but never engage in actions for the fruit of the reward.”Karm karo, phal ki chinta mat karo,” is the Sanskrit phrase that suggests a misplaced, selfish motive will lead to suffering.

Change is the standard. Change is constant in the universe. There is nothing but change in the world. The more we resist change and attach ourselves to outcomes and rewards, the more we suffer. “You can be a rich man or a pauper in an instant,” by fate of change. Change is not something to control. Trying to control it will only cause suffering.

Holding onto things is a misapprehension. “You came to this world empty-handed, you will leave empty-handed. What is yours today belonged to someone else yesterday and will belong to someone else tomorrow.” Ownership is a misplaced “belief.”Nothing is new in this world. Everything recycles itself including Mother Earth.

We only confuse ourselves with attachment to “beliefs.” We are on a path to somewhere always. “We are kept from a goal not by obstacles but by creating a clear path to a lesser goal.” Success occurs when everything aligns for the good of all. When selfish motives are eliminated, the path is clear. Success is not just the accumulation of wealth and power. Success is realized when attachment to success is gone.

When you live in a world where thoughts, words, and actions all work together to create reality, these are the things that need to be aligned for success. If you want more of something in life, eliminate selfish motives and align thoughts, words and actions in a direction for the good of all. Success is the result as long as your path is free from selfish motives and attachment to outcome. “Whatever happens, happens for the good.”