Tag: Equanimity

Are you holding a grudge? About?

“Are You Holding a Grudge?”      “NO” 

I can honestly say, as I reflect on my life, that I hold no grudge against anyone. What I once deemed as ‘bad experiences’ were, in truth, valuable lessons that shaped my journey.

This presentation is dedicated to the celebration of JANMASHTAMI, LORD KRISHNA'S BIRTHDAY, and it will take you on a trip through the complex web of resentment with the help of thinkers like Kant and Nietzsche, as well as the ageless advice of the Bhagavad Gita. The pragmatist insights of William James and the everlasting truths of Lord Krishna serve as springboards for this investigation into the heart of forgiveness.

Introduction: An Explanation of the Nature and Roots of Grudges:

A long-standing bitterness that develops in response to perceived transgressions is known as a grudge. It roots itself in interpersonal connections after being sown by betrayals of trust or failures to live up to expectations. Whether they are founded on actual or imagined wrongs, grudges are frequently handed down from one generation to the next.

The Effects That Keeping a Grudge Can Have on a Person’s Mental Health:

Keeping a grudge has a negative impact on one’s mental health and well-being. It is a breeding ground for animosity, resentment, and emotional misery, all of which contribute to elevated stress levels and the possibility of mental health problems. 

The Imperative to Forgive, According to Kantian Deontology:

The deontological ethics proposed by Kant places an emphasis on obligation and ethical standards. When seen from this angle, the act of forgiving an offense might be interpreted as a moral requirement. Keeping resentment in one’s heart is in direct opposition to the categorical imperative, which states that one must treat other people with respect and decency at all times. According to Kant, forgiving is an act that transcends one’s own personal grievances and serves to sustain human dignity.

The Utilitarian Approach to Striking a Balance Between Feelings and Consequences:

The philosophy of utilitarianism evaluates deeds according to the extent to which they contribute to achieving the goals of maximizing happiness and reducing suffering. It is important to strike a balance between the emotional well-being of the forgiver and the pursuit of greater general pleasure and harmony while practicing forgiveness. 

The Development of Forgiveness as a Virtue in the Context of Virtue Ethics:

 Recognizing forgiveness not as a sign of weakness but rather of fortitude is essential to the cultivation of this virtue. Improving one’s ability for empathy, compassion, and magnanimity is a necessary step in this process. According to this point of view, being able to let go of resentment and forgive a wrongdoing is a sign of moral maturity and reflects an individual’s ability for grace and compassion.

Grudges Change Our Perception and Interpretation.

Grudges greatly affect our perception and interpretation of events. They distort our perception, emphasizing negatives and downplaying positives. This changed view might misrepresent prior acts and intentions, sustaining animosity.

Openness, empathy, and perspective-taking are epistemic virtues.

Managing grudges requires epistemic qualities. Open-mindedness balances many perspectives, providing a more complex understanding. Empathy helps understand another’ intentions and experiences. Epistemic virtue, perspective-taking, helps resolve grudges by revealing the complexity of human interaction and fostering compassion.

The Role of Time in Grudge Resolution:

Time is key to grudge settlement. As time passes, feelings change and fade. This natural process might reduce resentment. Distance from the initial hurt might let forgivers see things objectively. Knowing grudges are temporary emphasizes their potential for healing and progress.

Nietzschean Eternal Recurrence: Breaking the Grudge Cycle.

Nietzsche’s everlasting repetition makes grudge-holding a major issue. It asks if people would tolerate the same experiences, even a grudge, forever. This thought experiment challenges the value of resentment. It implies that releasing grudges might help people overcome negative patterns and adopt a more positive attitude on life.

The Pragmatism of Letting Go:

William James and Forgiveness.

William James’ pragmatism promotes realism in thoughts and deeds. James suggests exploring the real advantages of forgiveness for grudges. He stresses that letting go of a grudge improves relationships, mental health, and societal harmony. James advises weighing the benefits of forgiveness against the costs of bitterness.

Signifying Grudge Resolution Change with Peircean Semiotics.

Grudge resolution is viewed differently through Charles Peirce’s semiotics. Semiotics examines signals and interpretations. Letting go of a grudge can symbolize reconciliation, understanding, and a better future.

Conclusion:

Possible Liberation: Ontological Forgiveness Perspectives.

Considering forgiveness from an ontological perspective illuminates the possibility of grudge freedom. Ontology studies being and existence. Forgiveness transforms one’s identity in this scenario. It may release people from resentment, giving them a new sense of self and a free life.

Lord Krishna conveys significant guidance.

Lord Krishna conveys significant guidance on equanimity, especially in the context of forgiving others, in the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. True dedication, he says, comes from one’s character and not from external observances. Those who can remain equanimous during happy and sad times alike, as well as through the process of forgiving a wrongdoer, are praised by Lord Krishna. This calmness results from knowing the world is temporary and having unshakeable confidence in the Divine. One achieves inner peace by moving beyond opposites and openly welcoming new experiences, including the mending of old grudges. The teachings of Lord Krishna stress the need of maintaining harmony within and unwavering dedication to one’s spiritual path, especially while one works to lessen resentment.

The following works are recommended for the present subject matter: 

The book titled “Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness” authored by Fred Luskin.

Immanuel Kant’s philosophical book titled “Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals”.

The work titled “Utilitarianism” authored by John Stuart Mill.

The literary work titled “Nicomachean Ethics” authored by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.

The literary work under consideration is “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” authored by Friedrich Nietzsche.

The subject of inquiry in this discussion is the philosophical concept of pragmatism as expounded by the renowned American philosopher, William James.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel’s seminal work, “The Phenomenology of Spirit.”

The Bhagavad Gita is a timeless philosophical and spiritual text that offers profound insights into various aspects of life, ethics, and spirituality. It provides valuable guidance on how to lead a meaningful and balanced life.

What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

My steadfast answer is “Equanimity,” an enduring companion that shall journey with me wherever I roam.

Equanimity shall be my unwavering guide through life’s myriad experiences. Its essence will empower me to navigate challenges with grace and embrace the world’s fluctuations with a steady heart and mind.

I have found and adopted two easy paths to achieve my goals.: 1) Vedantic Approach: Upanishads (Advaita- Non-Dualism) & 2) Yogic Approach (Patanjali Yoga sutras)

Why? Let me justify:

The pursuit of an unwavering sense of balance and inner tranquilly becomes crucial in a world where life’s journey is characterised by uncertainty and hardships. If there is one item that sticks out as being the most crucial to always have with you, it is unquestionably “Equanimity.” Being calm and balanced in the middle of life’s ups and downs is a treasure that enlivens each moment and equips us with the fortitude and grace to sail across the turbulent waters of existence.

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, is one of the most remarkable examples of equanimity. The profundity of Aurelius’ awareness of life’s transience and the value of preserving composure is evident in his reflections. He is a prime example of the value of inner tranquilly because of his ability to face difficulties and failures with a serene demeanour. He understood that while we have no influence over the outside world, we do have control over how we choose to react to it. With this realisation, he made the decision to carry the serenity torch, illuminating his way through the difficulties of governing an empire and the struggles of his personal life.

Lord Krishna’s ageless proclamation in the Bhagavad Gita:

When we turn to the spiritual world, we find Lord Krishna’s ageless proclamation in the Bhagavad Gita. 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita unveil a holistic approach to devotion. They elucidate that devotion isn’t confined to ritualistic practices, but rather encompasses a profound transformation of one’s character and attitude. The qualities described – non-enmity, compassion, humility, contentment, equanimity, and non-harming – collectively shape a devotee into a vessel of divine love and grace.

Lord Krishna extols the virtue of composure in the presence of duality. He promotes a heart that is unmoved by happiness and grief, success and failure, pleasure and suffering. This instruction serves as a reminder that true equanimity is the transcendence of judgements and biases that frequently taint our interactions and arises from perceiving all creatures with equal compassion.

Following lines are the essence of few shlokas from 12th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita:

Bhagavad Gita: Shloka No. 13: States that individuals who are kind and sympathetic and have no ill intent towards others are precious to the Divine. This establishes the theme for the next verses, emphasising the value of developing an empathic heart that is free from hatred.

Bhagavad Gita: Shloka No.14: This idea is expanded upon in which says that the divine values qualities like contentment, lack of possessiveness, and the capacity to remain calm in both pleasure and pain. The importance of detachment is emphasised in this stanza, not in the sense of withdrawing from life but rather in the sense of retaining a balanced perspective regardless of life’s dualities.

Bhagavad Gita: Shloka No.15: continues by emphasising humility as a fundamental virtue. The perfect devotee, according to Lord Krishna, is one who is devoid of pride and haughtiness because humility allows for more profound spiritual connections and understandings.

Bhagavad Gita: Shloka No 16.:  the ideas of forgiveness and non-harming are first introduced. The ideal devotee is one who is unbiased towards all beings and does not harbour any hate. Non-harming behaviour encompasses more than just physical actions; it also includes ideas and feelings.

Bhagavad Gita: Shloka No. 17: The topic of equanimity is reiterated here and emphasises that the Divine loves everyone who is unmoved by honour and dishonour, joy and agony. 

This discourse is concluded by Shloka No. 18, which emphasises that the highest level of spiritual connection is attained by the person who is unaffected by praise or censure, who is silent, content, and constant in their devotion.

The teachings of Lord Jesus Christ:

The life of Lord Jesus Christ is a shining example of unwavering tranquilly in the pages of history. It is a great condition of equanimity to be able to accept suffering and even to forgive people who have wronged you, as he did. He showed the transformational power of a calm spirit by embodying love and compassion despite the hardships he encountered. We develop a reserve of empathy and resiliency by embodying the spirit of Christ’s serenity, which enables us to rise above our own limits and promote a more compassionate society.