don't play by the rules

Verse 2.38: Do thou fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat — and by so doing you shall never incur sin.

We live in a world filled with duality. No one experiences happiness without distress or victory without defeat. In other words, to understand one thing, you also need to understand the opposite. So what do we do? We try to minimize the "bad" and maximize the possibility of getting the "good".

However, Krsna is presenting something really interesting here. He's telling Arjuna, "Don't play by the rules." What rules am I speaking of? Those that come attached with living in this world.

Did you know that? Yoga is all about not playing by the rules. Perhaps the rebel in you is rejoicing just reading that; I know my inner rebel did!

By acting in ways that increase the chances of us being "happy", we are conforming to the rules of the material world. Instead, Krsna is informing Arjuna, "There is another option!" Instead of searching after happiness, and trying at all costs to avoid distress, Krsna presents the concept of balance.

Instead of thinking of oneself and the "happiness" or "distress" that will come according to the action we perform, Krsna is suggesting that Arjuna act for the sake of acting. Interesting concept, isn't it? Putting it another way, we're being presented with the message: Focus on doing the right thing, not on doing things right.

What happens as a result? Instead of living in the future, you are forced to live in the present. Observe yourself the next time you are doing something. More often that not, when we act with the intention of getting a result "for me" (i.e. money, fame, happiness etc..), our minds tend to jump automatically to that desired result. It becomes hard to focus on the task at hand. However, if we act for the sake of doing something properly, our mind doesn't wander as much.

How is this balance, you ask? One could argue, "But isn't this actually going completely in the opposite direction. We're being asked to give up all self-interest!" Not really. The complete opposite would be to simply not care at all which is not what balance is about. The motivation to act still remains, it's just centred on performing the activity the best we can.

So go ahead and be a rebel! Take the opportunity to focus on doing the right thing, and not on doing things right.

balance.

Verse 2.4: Arjuna said: O killer of enemies, O killer of Madhu, how can I counterattack with arrows in battle men like Bhīṣma and Droṇa, who are worthy of my worship?

I find it interesting how Arjuna speaks of counteracting those who are worthy of worship with arrows. Again, this is very relatable even in our own lives. Just replace actual arrows with the arrow-like words that we sometimes use to pierce people's hearts.

Ever speak harsh words to someone worthy of worship? Shamefully, I have to admit I do. All the time. They are called my parents! Mercifully they still love me and tolerate me but sometimes my temper gets the better of me and I say something that is just mean-spirited.

It's often hard to think of those who are nearest and dearest to us as those worthy of our worship. My parents are not only worthy of such respect because they are my parents, but they are also great bhakti yogis. I think that's where the problem lies. When we have a particular relationship with someone, it colours our perception. And it works both ways. We either become too familiar and forget to see whatever greatness that lies there or conversely we only see the good and then we are not able to recognize short-comings which we possibly might try to emulate.

In my own personal instance, I definitely fall into the "too familiar category." Interestingly though, Arjuna is falling into the "rose-coloured glasses category." As we'll hear about tomorrow, Bhīṣma and Droṇa are not conducting themselves in a way that is worthy of respect.

It's a balancing act. Whether it be regular life, or even more importantly, spiritual life, balance is required. If we are unable to see things "as they are" then our judgement and perception can be easily clouded. Hence, the importance of once again having a spiritual mentor. Such a person, who is balanced themselves, or as the Gita describes, is equipoised, can help sort us out. They can tell us when we are veering too far to the left or to the right and help ground us in the middle.

You know, today I really didn't know what to write about. There are days when I really feel that I haven't written anything and instead I've just been there watching as words appear on the page. Today was such a day. I think Krsna knew that I needed to be reminded of these two points. Firstly, there are several persons worthy of our respect/worship that surround us and it's important to recognize them and be aware of how we treat them. Secondly, being balanced in how we not only view others but in everything that we do is extremely necessary in the practice of bhakti; the only way we can learn to become equipoised is from those who already live it.