When we seek self-transformation by giving up an unhealthy habit, we often assess our progress based on whether we can prevent relapses.
However, such an assessment standard can be unhelpful because we don’t know how strong the inner impressions associated with that habit are. If those impressions are not too strong, we might be able to prevent relapses by a firm resolution. If, however, those impressions are very strong, they might give rise to propositions that we might find irresistible despite our best resolutions. If we take the ocean-wave-anchor analogy, the inner propositions that impel us to relapse can be compared to giant waves that just sweep us away. Of course, all waves won’t be giant; many may be resistible, but some may not be. The point is that we can’t know in advance how strong a future wave will be; that’s why centering our resolutions on not getting swept away can set us up for failure.
That’s why we need to modify the way we assess our progress toward self-transformation. To use a more helpful assessment standard, we can focus on how well we are connecting with the anchor, which is essentially the healthy habit that can help us counter the unhealthy habit. Connecting can refer both to strengthening our hold on the anchor so that we decrease the danger of any wave sweeping us away and to speeding our return to the anchor whenever a strong wave does sweep us away. That indeed is the emphasis of Bhagavad-gita (09.30).
As grasping or re-grasping the anchor is much more in our control than resisting a future wave, focusing on how much we take up the healthy habit is far more helpful than focusing on how much we give up the unhealthy habit.
One-sentence summary:
To assess our progress in self-transformation, focus not on how resolutely we give up an unhealthy habit; focus on how resiliently we take up the replacement healthy habit.
Think it over:
- Why may a firm resolution sometimes help us prevent relapses and sometimes not?
- If we assess our self-transformation based on relapse prevention, why might that be unhelpful?
- What is a more helpful way to assess our self-transformation?
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09.30: Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.
To know more about this verse, please click on the image
Thank You very much Prabhuji. Very helpful article.