Chaitanya Charan Das Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06

Expand your horizons in vision, but concentrate them in implementation by Chaitanya Charan Das Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 06

“Expand your horizons” is a popular saying among the ambitious. The Bhagavad-gita takes this saying to a higher level by expanding our horizons from the material level to the spiritual level – from temporary worldly pleasure to eternal transcendental fulfillment.

The Gita (06.20-23) outlines this fulfillment available in the state of spiritual perfection – a state where no tribulation can disturb us, a state where no temptation can allure us, a state where we ultimately become forever free from all misery. After delineating the destination, the Gita outlines the process. It (06.25: shanaih shanaih) urges us to move forward slowly, step-by-step, aiming to just take this one step right: keep the mind fixed on spiritual truth in the present moment.

If we focus on endeavoring to be devotionally engaged in the present moment, we can surely do it. And this doable thing all that we need to do

As is rightly said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And we might add, it continues too with just a single step. If foot-travellers dwell on the prospect of walking a thousand miles, they may lose heart. But if they concentrate their horizons and focus on just taking one step – the present step – they can keep moving forward till they eventually reach their destination.

Similarly, if we think of the prospect of a lifetime of abstaining from selfish indulgence and a lifetime of striving for selfless devotion, we may lose heart. Instead, if we focus on endeavoring to be devotionally engaged in the present moment, we can surely do it. And this doable thing all that we need to do – live the present moment devotionally. Such devotionally lived moments will cumulate into a lifetime of devotion that will, by Krishna’s mercy, catapult us to him.

By thus expanding our horizons to take in the glory of our aspiration and concentrating them to take in the practicality of its actualization, we can move steadily towards destination Krishna.