Confusion? – GitaaHelpline A-Z

Many times in life, we find ourselves confused because we are forced to make choices. Confusion ranges from the absolutely gross – as in what movie to see today or what to eat for dinner, to the totally subtle – as in who am I and where am I headed ultimately in life!

In day to day life, we are confused in various circumstances such as below:

- to do or not to do, how to do and what to do
- likes and dislikes
- love and hate
- choices choices everywhere – job, course to pursue in college, marriage/spouse/significant other

While the absolutely absurd confusions are mostly immaterial, it is when we find ourselves in the horns of a real dilemma that we wish there was someone who could tell us what to do..

In order to know the answer, we need to stand back a bit, introspect and think of what are the reasons for real confusion..

Very often, confusion arises in a situation where our clear thinking and judgement are lacking. This in turn arises mainly because we are in some way attached deeply to the consequences or the people that have caused the confusion and we become transfixed in Inaction!.

This state is pretty similar to that which Arjuna faced in the battlefield. When he saw his relatives, teachers and all those he respected on the opposite camp, he was unable to perform his role in what was essentially a righteous war! He was confused and refused to participate..

The solution to confusion is then given by the Lord to Arjuna over several chapters. Some Key takeaways are summarised here..

Duty needs to be performed without selfish attachment to the results or to the people involved. If I do my job correctly and each person I interact with is also doing his job to his best ability, there is no cause for confusion

One needs to train to rise above pairs of opposites – Dislike is created every time, we “like” something. By demonstrating one quality – say love, automatically hate is created for that which one does not love.

When we go to a fair one might see different balloons of all shapes and sizes – all filled with the same helium! People too look different from us in colour, shape, appearance etc, but there is no difference in the cells and blood that flows inside. Although an over simplification, we need to understand that all people are essentially the same and this attitude helps in removing our racist or discriminating attitude & neutralize love & hate!

Further, pairs of opposites is a given and we will always be faced with these. We need to learn to identify and accept the things that we cannot change.

When we are confused on what course to pursue or job to take etc., many times the confusion is attributable to our unwillingness to stretch our capabilties. The Gita says that we are our own best friends & we should be able to put our best efforts to achieve our goals – not shirk from responsibilities by an overriding sense of laziness!

Last but not the least, adopt a “cog in the wheel” attitude and go with the flow. Many times, we give far too much importance to our self and it is this ego that gives rise to confusion. The greatest emperors and dictators that ever lived are all gone now and there are no regrets – the world did not come to a grinding halt! We are no more than “cogs in the wheel” of life and as long as we chip in doing our utmost best in our assigned roles, life moves on comfortably – no confusion whatsoever!

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