the inner compass: a journey from the battlefield to the soul
Imagine a warrior, honed for battle, ready to face any external threat. This was Arjuna, the great archer in the Mahabharata, before he encountered Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. His mind was focused outward, consumed by the action, the glory, the external world. But then, Krishna, his charioteer and guide, revealed a profound truth: the ultimate journey lies within.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna's words pierce through the veil of Arjuna's warrior-mind, urging him to turn his gaze inwards. He points towards the inner state of being, the silent space within, where true peace and understanding reside. This is the essence of the spiritual journey, a shift from the external to the internal, a journey reflected in the words of Rumi, "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there."
For, as the Gita teaches us, the external world is a mere reflection of our inner state. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "The world is a looking-glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face." When we are troubled within, the world outside appears chaotic. But when we find peace within, the world around us seems to mirror that tranquility. Just as a clear lake reflects the sky perfectly, a calm mind reflects the world around it in a harmonious light.
Our actions, our experiences, our very perception of reality are shaped by our internal state. As Marcus Aurelius said, "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." Therefore, rectifying the internal state becomes paramount. Without a clear and peaceful inner space, external success and achievements lose their meaning. They become fleeting shadows, unable to offer lasting fulfillment.
The Bhagavad Gita is not just a guide for Arjuna on the battlefield; it is a timeless message for all of us. It reminds us that no matter what storms rage in the outside world, we have the power to find peace within. As Kahlil Gibran wrote, "No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge." The true meaning of life lies not in conquering external battles, but in conquering the internal ones - the battles of our minds, our emotions, and our desires.
Therefore, let us remember Krishna's words to Arjuna: "Always refer back to your inner state." It is this inner compass that will guide us through life's challenges and help us navigate the ever-changing external world. It is through this journey inwards that we find true meaning, lasting peace, and the strength to face any obstacle that life throws our way. For, as the Gita teaches us, "The external world is a reflection of our inner world. Change the inner, and the outer will follow."
