Suppose we have something precious that we are afraid of losing. We may keep it carefully, deep inside a secret safe. However, if we don’t use it regularly or at least remember it regularly, we may get so caught up in other things as to forget where we kept it. By thus losing access to it, we may unwittingly lose it for all practical purposes. 

We may similarly forget our treasured desires. Usually, we have many desires that exist at different levels in our consciousness. Some desires are superficial and circumstantial, such as longing for a trinket we saw on TV. Some desires are sacred and central to who we are or at least to who we want to be, such as desires for our spiritual growth. Unfortunately, such cherished desires may not be appreciated or even understood by the people around us. Therefore, we may keep those desires secretly inside us. However, our many surface desires may consume our consciousness so much that our deepest desires may disappear within us. 

What can we do to prevent such unfortunate misdirection? Prioritize conscientiously. 

The Bhagavad-gita’s eighth chapter underscores the need for such prioritization. First, it (08.05) reminds us of what matters the most: remembering the all-attractive Whole, Krishna, at the time of death, thereby attaining him for an eternal life of love. In fact, whatever we remember at death, we attain that after death (08.06). To ensure that we don’t get so caught in our surface desires that we remember those desires at death, we need to practice remembering Krishna throughout our life (08.07). By such regular remembrance, our deepest desires will direct us from within, shaping our choices so that we progress steadily toward life’s supreme attainment. 

 

Think it over:

  • How may we lose something precious?
  • How may our deepest desires disappear within us?
  • How can we ensure that our deepest desires direct us?

 

***

08.07 Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Kṛṣṇa and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.

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