Life oscillates. Today, you are the winner, the admired — tomorrow, you are the loser, the alone. Today, you have aced an exam, or enjoyed the company of a close friend — tomorrow, all that is forgotten, because of the stress of a problem set, or the impending essay deadline. Today’s sweet relationship ends in the bitterness of tomorrow’s breakup. The joys of today are so oblivious to the sorrows of tomorrow! Yet, after tomorrow, the pendulum of emotion swings back to victory, and the cycle continues.
This oscillation is natural. But after you sense this pattern, you ask — is there a way out? How can we dodge life’s ups and downs?
Hinduism answers: detachment. The perfect devotee of God is even-minded in pain and pleasure, writes the Bhagavad-Gita, a constant in the oscillations of life. To attain that state of even-mindedness, one must practice yoga. This detachment is a crucial concept in modern Hinduism — Brittany and Sonali have written on it earlier.
But just because the books say it does not mean it is true — as with all scriptural principles, we must question it, burn it with the fires of our inquiry to test its strength. Is it worth sacrificing life’s joys to avoid the sorrows? Is it really better to be even-minded? If I am so detached from everything, will I become a dull, lifeless, boring being? Or will I find renewed strength with which to enjoy life?
For me, the greatest satisfaction is in productivity, in working effectively. I find that I am more productive when I am calm and devoid of emotion, than when I am excited or sullen. So for me, even-mindedness contributes to a more satisfying life. While it’s not the most thrilling dining-table conversation — “how even-minded were you today?” — I find that the excitement of adhering to a principle such as even-mindedness is unmatched.
In the rush of life, where we race to move forward, increase our station, it is easy to get caught in the cycle of ups and downs. So ask yourself — would detachment help you achieve greater satisfaction in life, or do you prefer the joys and sorrows? Even though the Bhagavad-Gita favors the detachment route, ignore the authority of scripture and answer this question for yourself — as long as you are aware of this cycle, it is fine to choose to be in it.
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One Comment
I really like this post, Saketh!
I think this definitely varies per person. For some, like you had said, being even-minded helps one fulfill the tasks more efficiently. For me and some others, emotions become part of the driving force for fulfilling the task. At the same time, they become a hindering force if I’m feeling sad.
I’m sure many will disagree with me on this, But I feel that emotions and the up and down roller coaster feeling that we get from them is not only easier, but sometimes even more practical than to be detached from everything.
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