Chaitanya Charan Das Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05

When conviction is weak, determination can’t be strong by Chaitanya Charan Das Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 05

We often make resolutions to give up our self-defeating indulgences. And when we fail to stick to those resolutions, we often blame our poor determination. But quite often the problem may not be with our determination; it may be with our conviction.

Suppose we are traveling on a road and come to a crossroad and take a particular turn. If we are not convinced that we have taken the right turn, we will drive slowly and hesitantly due to the apprehension that we may need to turn back at any moment.

Similarly, if we are ourselves not convinced about the necessity of our resolutions, we will be half-hearted about sticking to them.

That’s why when we are faced with weak determination, we need to be strengthen our underlying conviction by studying scripture and by using our scripturally-guided intelligence to recollect our experiences that reinforce our conviction. Conviction refers more to how we perceive and what we believe. Determination refers more to what we want to do and how strongly we want to do it. Determination is a matter of intention, whereas conviction is a matter of perception. If our conviction is weak, then our determination can’t be strong. Because then our determination is based not on our own inner assessment of things, but on outer expectations of what we should be doing or not doing. While outer pushers can be helpful in boosting our determination, they can’t be a substitute for the inner force that comes from conviction. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (05.22) states that the wise can see that sensory indulgences lead to misery and so they don’t participate in them.

By regular scriptural study and recollection of our own realizations of those scriptural teachings, we can strengthen our conviction is strong, thereby bringing an inner indefatigable drive to our determination.