As we function in life, we quickly come to realize our deficiencies and defects. Deficiencies refer to areas in which we can’t do things as well as we would like to; and defects point to areas where we just can’t do anything at all.

Recognizing our limitations can itself be distressing. But when due to such deficiencies and defects, we do things that get us into a lot of trouble, we can end up feeling not just distressed but discouraged, even devastated. We might lose all hope that we can accomplish anything worthwhile. If we let ourselves think in this way repeatedly, we subject ourselves to a toxic, ignorant, and perverse mentality, as cautioned in the Bhagavad-gita (18.35).

Fortunately, though, our imperfections don’t have to exert such a corrosive effect on our morale. How can we prevent such an effect? By looking beyond ourselves to our source. The Bhagavad-gita explains that we are all parts of an eternally attractive, all-loving divinity—Krishna. He is perfect and is our greatest well-wisher (05.29). He not only wants the best for us, but also wants us to choose what is best for us. We just need to learn to harmonize our actions with his divine purpose.

Harmonizing with Krishna’s purpose doesn’t mean that we abandon our agency or neglect our responsibility to make careful decisions. Instead, we approach these decisions with a foundation of devotion and an orientation of service. That means we, through our spiritual practices of bhakti-yoga, connect ourselves internally with Krishna. And in our outer actions, we infuse ourselves with an intention of wanting to be a part of his plan. Essentially, by adopting such a disposition, we place ourselves in Krishna’s perfect hands. Thereby, we are increasingly guided both from within and without: from within, by the intuition coming from the Lord in our heart; from without, by our mentors as well by the insights arising from our life-experiences. 

Being thus guided, we can make better decisions. Even if we still encounter some difficulties thereafter, Krishna assures us that he will raise us above such difficulties (18.58) and take us ultimately toward a place of security and serenity (18.62).

Summary: 

Even if we are not perfect, we can still place ourselves in God’s perfect hands. 

Think it over: 

  • Why might we lose all hope that we can do something worthwhile?
  • When our limitations distress us, how can we go beyond that distress?
  • How can we place ourselves in Krishna’s perfect hands?

***

18.58: If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.

 

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