Boundaries, such as locks or fences or walls, are widely used as protective measures. However, some people argue that such measures are ineffective, because there will always be bad people—people with criminal minds—who will find ways to pick locks, break fences, or scale walls. There’s truth to their argument; that’s why a well-developed society does not expect order to be maintained solely through physical boundaries; it also establishes a robust law enforcement system to discipline criminals. 

Nonetheless, it’s vital to note that bad things are done not just by bad people but also by good people: law-abiding individual who succumb during moments of weakness. As human beings, we all are finite and fallible; we have within us impurities such as lust, anger, and greed that surge intermittently. During those surge phases, suppose we are faced with boundary-less situations wherein we have easy opportunities for quick gain or pleasure, even if that gain is illegal or that pleasure is immoral. The combination of inner weakness and outer temptation can knock us down despite our moral commitments.

How can such lapses be prevented? Ultimately, we all need to purify ourselves and rise above our weaknesses; till then, we need to humbly recognize that we can’t always control or predict when moments of inner weakness will arise. To prepare for self-protection during such moments,  we can take proactive steps to avoid putting ourselves in boundary-less situations. For example, keeping locks on safes or houses can deter normally law-abiding people from acting on momentary surges of greed and stealing. Thus, boundaries can prevent good people from succumbing to their weaknesses. 

Some boundaries are established collectively by tradition or culture, while others need to be established individually by self-aware persons who understand their vulnerabilities. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (03.41) emphasizes the importance of creating personal boundaries that protect us from succumbing during moments of weakness.

Summary:

Boundaries may not stop bad people from doing bad things, but they can stop good people from doing bad things.

Think it over:

  • Why are boundaries considered ineffective by some people?
  • How can boundaries still be helpful?
  • What boundaries do you need to establish to help yourself in your journey towards self-mastery?

Audio explanation of the article is here: https://gitadaily.substack.com/p/what-boundaries-cant-do-and-what

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03.41: Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.

What boundaries can't do — and what they can do

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