ॐ
Omrat
Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 35
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

False Strength · Clinging to Old Fear Out of Habit

ॐ

यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च । न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥

yayā svapnaṁ bhayaṁ śokaṁ viṣādaṁ madam eva ca na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī

Meaning

"The steadfastness by which one of dull intellect fails to give up sleep, fear, grief, despair, and conceit, O Partha, is tamasic."

Explanation

There's a kind of "stubbornness" that isn't really strength at all — it's just clinging to old fear or gloom out of habit, long after it's stopped serving any purpose.

Today's Life Lesson

If you're clinging to an old fear or gloom today out of sheer habit, gently ask if it's still serving any real purpose.

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