Whenever we try to do anything worthwhile, be it external or internal, we are often confronted by some people who doubt us: “You won’t be able to do it; you will just waste time and energy attempting something that is anyway impossible. Why set yourself up for disappointment?” If we aspire to do anything substantial in our life, one of the first lessons we need to learn is: neglect these naysayers. 

In addition to neglecting such external doubters, we also need to neglect a far more formidable doubter: one that exists inside us — our own mind. Speaking from within, it often minimizes and discourages and paralyzes us. Worse still, we frequently accept its voice uncritically as the final, unchallengeable verdict on the issue of our ability. Being thus sabotaged, we quit without trying; or we quit while trying; or we quit internally while going through the motions externally, thereby making failure almost inevitable. When we thus give in to self-doubt, we become the primary cause of our failures. 

Thankfully, we can change our relationship with ourselves — we can become our encouragers, not our discouragers. For such a role change, Gita wisdom offers empowering insights. We all are sparks of the all-loving divinity, Krishna (Bhagavad-gita 15.07). He has gifted each one of us with unique individuality — and an individual constellation of talents and interests that comprises our particular nature. And he wants, even aspires, that we use those gifts to do good in the world. If we just become willing to do our part in his plan, he will arrange to remove various obstacles (11.33) — including the insidious internal obstacle of self-doubt. Knowing that the Almighty is with us, we can slay the demon of self-doubt and confidently pursue the glorious destiny that our Lord has waiting for us. 

One-sentence summary: 

Someone will always doubt you, but that someone doesn’t have to be you. 

Think it over:

  • For achieving anything worthwhile, what is the first lesson we need to learn?
  • How do we become the primary cause of our failure?
  • How can we slay the demon of self-doubt?

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11.33: Therefore get up. Prepare to fight and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasaci, can be but an instrument in the fight.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image