aversion and attachment

Verse 3.34: There are principles to regulate attachment and aversion pertaining to the senses and their objects. One should not come under the control of such attachment and aversion, because they are stumbling blocks on the path of self-realization.

On any path one follows, there are challenges and obstacles. Identifying these challenges is a key step to becoming successful in any endeavor we choose to pursue.

Now I don't know about you, but I've always felt that life should come with an instruction manual. That manual would contain clear guidelines as to how we can lead happy lives; as well, it would include a listing of all the unexpected trials, tribulations, twists and turns we are to encounter.

Imagine my surprise when I first read the Gita - I had found it! My guidebook for life! Within its pages, the Gita speaks at length as to how we can become happy. Equally important, it warns us of the problems we may face as living souls inhabiting a temporary body.

Now the Gita doesn't get into specifics...although sometimes it certainly does seem like it's been written specifically for me! Instead, it does one better.

The Gita empowers an individual.

For most of us, our issue is that we tend to look outside instead of looking in. In other words, we think we are so many "external" things - I am male, female, my mind, my body, my intelligence, my senses etc etc... We neglect who we really are- the soul.

In order to successfully live a happy life, we need to become cognizant of those things that can prevent us from achieving the goal of self-realization. After all, if we don't know who we are, how can we relate to anything/anyone else properly? Two such obstacles are identified today - the senses and their objects.

In a previous post we spoke at length discriminating between regulating and repressing one's senses. In concluding that topic, this perspective was offered:

Regulation isn't a lack of freedom. A lack of freedom is being bound by the dictates of our mind and senses and constantly succumbing to them. True freedom is being able to make a choice.

That being said...it doesn't just end there. See it's not just about the senses and their objects, it's how we relate to them. As today's verse describes, we can essentially categorize our interaction with them via these two adjectives - attachment and aversion.

Now, as many of you might have noticed, the Gita doesn't give everything away all at once. It slowly builds on points so that we get an opportunity to digest it all.

From the senses and sense objects that we can perceive and easily relate to, we now are moving on to a more subtle sphere. After all, it's easier to control our hands, tongue, ears, eyes and nose, but it's much harder to control whether we become attached to or averse of something.

That takes more than just knowledge. Knowledge may help us in practicing regulation, but it is only realization that can release us from the control of these two characteristics.

And what is that realization? That we are not this body. After all - attachment and aversion arises as a result of how something, someone or a situation affects or interacts with the body. It has nothing to do with the soul which is eternal and spiritual.

repression vs. regulation

Verse 2.64: But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.

For the past few verses, Krsna has been highlighting the importance of sense control. However, it should be noted that the aspect of artificial repression, which some may mistake to be the only way to control the senses, has been denounced as being less than optimal. Why is that?

Artificial repression, in this context, refers to forcibly withholding the senses from engaging with their sense objects. Although extremely determined persons can do this for extended periods of time, it takes a great deal of effort. It's not positive in any way, shape or form. The tape player of the mind is set on "Don't, don't, don't..." and for most of us, that's far from enlivening.

The Gita suggests a much more positive and practical approach - regulation of the senses. It takes into account that we are embodied beings who have senses. That means that it's only logical that the senses will want to interact with sense objects! Instead of going to extremes, the Gita speaks of attaining a middle ground. As opposed to over-indulging in sense enjoyment, one can regulate it.

The benefits of regulating the senses are two-fold. First of all, we (as souls), are back in the drivers seat and taking command of the bodies we are currently inhabiting as opposed to letting our senses dictate what we "want". Secondly, regulation allows us to take that time to determine whether or not the activity we want to engage in is beneficial to us or not. What is that judgement based on? The bhakti texts would present the basis for that decision be made on whether it helps us remember that we are eternal spirit souls or whether it only helps reinforce the notion that we "think" we are this body. Furthermore, that time allows us to get into the proper consciousness of doing everything in a spirit of gratitude as opposed to doing it for ourselves.

Regulation has gotten a bad rap when it comes to spirituality, yoga and actually any facet of life. As opposed to looking at it in a negative way, Krsna is inviting us to look at it as a means by which we can live our lives to their fullest potential. As a final thought to meditate on - regulation isn't a lack of freedom. A lack of freedom is being bound by the dictates of our mind senses and constantly succumbing to them. True freedom is being able to make a choice.