When we are in relationships that involve instructing and inspiring others such as parenting or coaching, one of our biggest challenges is to balance giving guidance with respecting independence. Let’s see how the Bhagavad-gita acknowledges the importance of both.   

The Gita acknowledges the value of individuality in the form of our independence. It declares that we all are parts of Krishna (15.07), implying that we manifest in part the qualities he manifests in full. Just as he is an individual, so are we — the difference is that he is infinite, whereas we are finite. Just as he has free will, so do we — the difference is that his free will is complemented by his infinitude, while ours is constrained by our finitude. 

Simultaneously, the same Gita verse points to the universal need for guidance. While we all acknowledge the need for guidance when learning something new such as a skill, we often don’t realize that we need guidance in our entire life. Why? Because our perceptions and conceptions are error-prone. Gita wisdom explains that our consciousness is covered and contaminated by our mind and senses. They distort our perception, making the harmful seem delightful, thereby triggering within us desires that range from unnecessary to unhealthy. And they also inject us with many misconceptions that range from incomplete to incorrect. If we give in to such desires and misconceptions, we subject ourselves to struggle and suffering. To prevent such self-sabotage, we need guidance. 

Harmonizing both independence and guidance, Gita wisdom explains that guidance is not meant to suppress our independence, but to equip us with the resources that can help us use our independence constructively, not destructively. 

One-sentence summary:

As we are parts of Krishna, we all have inherent independence; as we are finite and are hamstrung by our error-prone mind and senses, we all need guidance. 

Think it over:

  • In relationships such as parenting or coaching, which two factors need to be balanced?
  • How does the Gita acknowledge the importance of independence?
  • How does the Gita convey the need for guidance?

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15.07: The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.

 

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