Resilience explained through The Bhagavad Gita

Resilience explained through The Bhagavad Gita

By Archie Kohli

Council Member, WICCI-NPWC

Resilience is generally described as ‘the capability to hold out against crises, threats, and regain stability

quickly’. The term Resilience has been borrowed from Physics but in Psychology, Resilience stems from Latin verb ‘resilire’ means “bouncing back”. The American Psychological Association (2014) defines resilience as ‘The process of adapting well with in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress’. Being resilient does not mean that an individual won’t experience adversity, any emotional pain and stress,

in fact the road to resilience is probably going to involve considerable emotional distress.

Resilience described as a trait in The Bhagavad Gita

Cloninger and Zohar (2011) have analysed positive associations between resilience and characteristics of self-directedness and cooperativeness. It can be said that the person, who has confidence in own's strength and abilities whilst facing hardship, promotes flexibility in thinking and problem solving. In Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Verse 2.56, Sri Krishna explained to Arjuna that the person who is not flustered in pain, and not too much attracted towards pleasure is called a person of stable wisdom. The concept of optimism, self-awareness, self-efficacy, adaptability to change major theoretical framework can be exemplified in a sattavic (emotional equilibrium and joyous state of mind) person in The Bhagavad Gita. Sri Krishna says that no matter what happens, a sattvic person remains calm and adversity does not disturbed him. He maintains his evenness equally in adversity and prosperity.

Resilience described as a process in The Bhagavad Gita

Resilience has been described as the capability for successful adaptation or constructive functioning. (Garmezy, 1993). Several researches consider resilience as a process suggests that it can be modified and improved according to the individual. The three precious chapters of Gyan Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga of this unique text reflect on teaching resilience as a stepping stone for materialistic progress and self-realisation, because it looks into the nature and cause of human suffering.

The Bhagavad Gita throws light on concept of equanimity, where Sri Krishna told to Arjuna that fight without thinking of happiness, loss, gain and defeat, thus strengthening Arjuna's inner awareness. The Bhagavad Gita declares that all manifestation is because of interplay of trigunas, man is neither a doer nor is responsible for Karmphala (fruits of actions). The Bhagavad Gita dictates that when life knocks us down, by bringing upon us situations that are unchangeable like death, physical or mental deprivation, the self-defeating thought patterns arising from them makes us internally bitter. Karma Yoga of The Bhagavad Gita inspires us to do karma (duty) without succumbing to pessimistic, fatalistic attitude that nothing is changeable.

To conclude, The Bhagavad Gita inspires us to see life as an interplay of ups and downs and getting ‘up’ from the ‘down’ or showing resilience in adversity can be beautifully done through knowledge or Gyan Yoga, action or Karma Yoga, and devotion or Bhakti Yoga.