Suppose we are trapped in a chamber and are trying to push the locked door open. But suppose simultaneously, someone is trying to liberate us, and our pushing against the door is causing the door through which they want to come in to get locked harder. Then our efforts, no matter how earnest, will be counterproductive. 

Something similar happens in our life when we strive to gain control over things amid adversity; often the more we struggle, the more we become overwhelmed by the problem and the more we blind ourselves to any higher wisdom that can guide us. 

And such a guiding wisdom does exist. The Bhagavad-gita (13.23) states that there is a divine overseer who is also the ultimate maintainer; our efforts are meant to be in harmony with him, not independent of him. If we insist that we can independently solve our problems, we become deaf to his voice. To be receptive to grace, we need to learn to let go. Instead of trying to gain control and power, we need to seek stillness within so that we can hear the voice of God within, feel his inner presence and thereby become calm and strong. 

Rather than worrying too much about whether we have control and power or not, we can focus on connecting lovingly with him in a mood of prayerful service and thereby seek the wisdom and inspiration necessary for taking small but steady steps forward in gradually accepting and transcending the situation. If we let the door of our heart open, so that grace comes through, then that grace will also give us the wisdom to choose wisely and act effectively even during the most adverse of situations. 

One-sentence summary:

The more we push against the door that promises control, the more we close the door that provides grace.

Think it over:

  • How can the struggle for control deafen us to grace?
  • Amid adversity, how can we seek grace?
  • Are you struggling for control at present? How can you let go and seek grace instead?

***

13.23: Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.

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