Work 18 hours a day and NO Stress
Life is filled with challenges, obstacles and uncertainties. These inevitable difficulties often manifest as stress, impacting our mental health, productivity, and overall happiness. Yet, stress is often misunderstood. It's not simply the result of hard work but rather our attachment to outcomes and inability to manage inner turmoil. This blog explores the nature of stress, the distinction between external and internal stress, solutions from Shree Krishna’s teachings, and how the Bhagavad Gita offers timeless wisdom on stress management.
What is Stress?
To an engineer, stress is the force exerted on a structure or machine that leads to deformation or failure. For humans, it is a psychological or emotional strain caused by external pressures and internal reactions. Stress arises when we perceive that the demands of a situation exceed our available resources—be it financial, emotional, or spiritual.
While modern solutions like yoga, meditation, or nature walks are valuable for slowing down our thoughts, they often serve as palliatives rather than addressing the root cause. Stress becomes a profound issue when it affects our health, relationships, and overall outlook on life. To understand stress fully, we must first distinguish between external stressful situations and the inner stress they provoke.
Stressful Situations vs. Inner Stress
Stressful situations are unavoidable. Life’s design ensures we encounter challenges that push us to grow. As Swami Vivekananda aptly noted, "Life is the continual unfoldment of a being under circumstances tending to press it downwards." These circumstances are not wrong but opportunities for growth, as they develop our emotional, spiritual, and intellectual capabilities.
However, stress becomes debilitating when our internal responses magnify external pressures. The key is not in avoiding stressful situations but in cultivating inner peace and resilience. As a famous Hindi poet said, "The drama of life will continue; it’s never going to end." Thus, our goal should be to remain calm and composed despite life’s relentless challenges. Developing this perspective can transform how we approach problems, turning obstacles into stepping stones for growth.
Why Do We Become Stressed?
The root of stress lies in attachment. Consider a student preparing for an important exam. The stress doesn’t stem from the effort required but from the fear of potential failure. Similarly, professionals may become anxious about a presentation, not because of the work itself but due to their fixation on the audience’s response.
Swami Mukundananda illustrates this with the example of a surgeon. A highly skilled doctor may perform thousands of successful surgeries, but when asked to operate on their own child, they may refuse. Why? Their attachment to the outcome—the well-being of their child—clouds their judgment, making them prone to errors. This demonstrates how attachment affects our intellect and performance.
To overcome stress, we must adopt a mindset of "NATO"—Not Attached To Outcome. By focusing on our efforts and relinquishing our attachment to results, we liberate ourselves from unnecessary mental burdens. This principle is not only practical but ical but transformative, fostering greater confidence and peace of mind.
Consider its application to a simple everyday activity such as playing golf. When people play golf, they are engrossed in the fruits—whether their score is under par, over par, etc. Now if they could merely focus on playing the shots to the best of their ability, they would find it the most enjoyable game of golf they have ever played. Additionally, with their complete focus on the shot being played, their game would be raised to a higher level.
Bhagavad Gita on Stress Management
The Bhagavad Gita offers timeless wisdom for managing stress. It teaches that while we have control over our actions, the outcomes are influenced by multiple factors:
- Past Karmas: Results may stem from actions performed in this life or previous ones. As the Bible says, "As you sow, so shall you reap."
- Efforts of Others: In competitive scenarios, others' superior efforts may influence outcomes.
- Environmental Factors: Cumulative karma or regional dynamics can also play a role.
- Sheer Luck: Unpredictable events, such as accidents, can alter results.
- Divine Will: Sometimes, outcomes align with God’s greater plan.
Since the results are beyond our control, the Gita advises us to focus on our efforts with sincerity and detachment. This approach not only reduces stress but also enhances the quality of our work.
The verse 2.47 from the Bhagavad Gita beautifully encapsulates this wisdom:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
(Karmaṇy-e-vādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana,
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi.)
Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
Explanation: This verse underscores the importance of duty without attachment to results. It teaches us to act with focus and dedication, leaving the outcomes to divine will. By doing so, we can find freedom from stress and remain balanced even amidst challenges.
Practical takeaways from the Gita include:
- Acceptance: Embrace uncertainty and trust the process.
- Self-Discipline: Cultivate habits that promote mental and emotional stability.
- Meditation: Use meditation to calm the mind and enhance focus.
- Gratitude: Recognize and appreciate the journey rather than obsessing over the destination.
The Role of Meditation in Stress Management
Meditation is a time-tested technique for alleviating stress and finding inner peace. Regular meditation helps calm the mind, improve focus, and bring clarity to our thoughts. It allows us to step back from the chaos of daily life and reconnect with our inner selves. By practicing mindfulness and deep breathing, meditation creates a mental space where we can process emotions constructively, instead of being overwhelmed by them.
Shree Krishna, through the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes the importance of a composed and disciplined mind for spiritual and personal growth. Meditation serves as a tool to achieve this state of inner calm and resilience. Whether it’s a few minutes of quiet reflection or guided sessions, integrating meditation into your routine can have transformative effects on your ability to handle stress.
Conclusion
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to control us. By understanding the nature of stress, distinguishing between external pressures and internal responses, and applying the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, we can navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace.
Let us remember Shree Krishna’s timeless teaching: "Do your duty, and let go of the fruits of your actions." In this detachment lies the key to true peace and fulfillment. By focusing on our efforts and relinquishing attachment to outcomes, we can transform stress into an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
For more profound insights and practical guidance on leading a balanced life, subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube channel. Dive into a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom, motivational talks, and enriching meditations to transform your life.
FAQs on Stress Management Inspired by Bhagavad Gita and Shree Krishna's Teachings
1. What is stress and why does it affect us?
Stress is a psychological or emotional strain that arises when we perceive that the demands of a situation exceed our resources—be it financial, emotional, or spiritual. It affects us because of our attachment to outcomes and our inability to manage inner turmoil effectively. While external pressures are inevitable, it is our internal responses that determine the impact of stress on our mental health and productivity.
2. How does the Bhagavad Gita guide us in managing stress?
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us to focus on our duties with sincerity and detachment from the results. According to verse 2.47, we have control over our actions but not over their outcomes. By embracing this principle, we can reduce mental burdens, enhance the quality of our efforts, and remain balanced even in challenging situations.
3. What is the difference between external stress and inner stress?
External stress refers to unavoidable challenges and obstacles we face in life, such as work deadlines, exams, or unforeseen circumstances. Inner stress, however, stems from our mental and emotional reactions to these situations. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes cultivating inner peace and resilience to transform external challenges into opportunities for growth.
4. Why does attachment to outcomes cause stress?
Attachment to outcomes creates fear, anxiety, and mental pressure. For instance, a student may fear failure in an exam or a professional may worry about audience reactions during a presentation. This attachment clouds judgment, hampers performance, and magnifies stress. Adopting a "Not Attached To Outcome" (NATO) mindset helps in focusing on efforts rather than results, fostering confidence and peace of mind.
5. How can meditation help in managing stress?
Meditation is a powerful tool for calming the mind, improving focus, and reconnecting with inner peace. It helps us detach from the chaos of daily life, process emotions constructively, and develop resilience. As taught in the Bhagavad Gita, a composed and disciplined mind is crucial for personal and spiritual growth, and meditation is a practical way to achieve this state.