From Chaos To Calm: Why Inner Strength Is Key To Master Tolerance In Life's Dualities

From Chaos to Calm by spiritual guru Gauranga Darshan Das is an enlivening journey designed to help you break free from the shackles of chaos with a transformative road map drawn from the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita, revealing 108 life-enriching practices. In this book, find profound insights from the Gita, intertwined with real-life incidents, personal experiences and actionable practices tailored for daily life, making ancient wisdom accessible and relevant in the modern world.

An Excerpt from From Chaos to Calm: 108 Practices from the Gita for Inner Balance

It was in June 2009 that I decided to take to monkhood along with a close-knit group of youngsters, primarily in our early twenties. The first year was meant for an immersive training experience. Our training destination was the serene Govardhan Ecovillage, located about 100 km from Mumbai. This peaceful and picturesque farm community provided the perfect backdrop for our training, during which we delved into the profound teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita under the guidance of a revered senior monk. 

Our daily routine unfolded with morning prayers, Gita teachings, nature strolls and lighthearted conversations. We had nourishing meals, mostly self-cooked, but we also had the chance of feasting on some big chapattis lovingly made by the elderly village ladies. As the sun dipped below the horizon, another senior monk would read to us the sweet childhood stories of Lord Krishna. Listening to them, we would welcome slumber in the silence of the night at the Ecovillage, far, far away from the hubbub and blaring horns of the city roads. 

Those days, we were short on electricity, and the Internet was almost a luxury. None of us had smartphones, and some didn’t have a phone at all. Phone or no phone— the network coverage always appeared to be playing a game of hide-and-seek all through this countryside set-up. But we had each other, and some sweet friendly interactions in a rustic ambience, with the Bhagavad-Gita  Not for circulation in our laps and its verses on our tongues. A part of our training was to learn the Gita shlokas, and I admit, it was thrilling. We would keep singing out these mantras while on walks, before and after eating, and even while bathing. In fact, the concepts of the Gita were the crux of almost every conversation we had. 

It was monsoon and the Ecovillage was enveloped in vibrantly green foliage. The overcast conditions, soft patter of the rains and the smell of fresh earth simply enhanced the beauty of this rural landscape. What’s more, we had the exciting opportunity to work in the paddy fields alongside the local farmers. The conducive ambience facilitated an experience that led to an increased absorption in the Gita, and a wonderful contemplation and assimilation of its teachings. Soon, the lustre of the city comforts appeared to be fading away amidst this rural setting. 

An organic ambience facilitates easier assimilation and contemplation of spiritual wisdom. 

One mesmerizing sight at the Ecovillage was the Kohoj mountain. We would marvel at its magnificence from any spot of the Ecovillage and especially from the terrace of our two-storey ashram building. Bathed in the showers of the monsoon, the mountain would adorn itself with bright green vegetation. Drifting clouds would occasionally veil the mountain, while milky waterfalls would make its smooth rocks glisten. This was a sight I loved to behold. 

Months passed, and the season transitioned from monsoon to autumn, and slowly the mountain transformed. What was once a beautiful green spectacle gradually turned brown and dusty. With winter’s arrival,  the mountain assumed a dry appearance, giving me an opportunity to reflect on one of the very first lessons we learnt from the Bhagavad-Gita (2.14). 

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya 

śītoṣṇa-sukha-duhkha-dāh 

āgamāpāyino ’nityās 

tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata 

Lord Krishna spoke to His dear friend Arjuna: ‘O son of  Kuntī, whenever the senses interact with the sense objects, sensations of cold and heat, and happiness and distress arise. These dualities appear and disappear like the winter and summer seasons, and are transient in nature. One must learn to tolerate (titiksha) such temporary dualities without  being disturbed.’ 

Having lived at Govardhan Ecovillage for about fifteen years now, I observed the cyclical transformation of the  Kohoj mountain every year—a fleeting green beauty and a transient dryness. This natural rhythm mirrors the temporary nature of happiness and sadness in life, similar to the changing seasons. 

Addressing the Common Question 

People often approach me with a burning question: ‘How do I deal with life’s troubles and distressing situations?’ In response, I try giving them solace quoting the above Gita shloka. My advice to them is to embrace tolerance in the face of adversity, apart from doing whatever is practically feasible. This tolerance isn’t a passive resignation from addressing the problems; rather, it involves giving our best to navigate life’s challenges. 

We need to try our best to avoid difficulties in life as far as humanly possible. But if, despite our efforts, the situation persists, then the key is to learn to live with it and find the opportunity to grow within the unsurpassable boundaries set by the situations. 

Three compelling reasons support this idea of tolerance. 

1. Purpose: First and foremost, there is a purpose behind every occurrence. Despite our attempts to ward off a situation, its persistence suggests a greater purpose at play. Sometimes, life’s most distressful events can later turn out to be the most significant and foundational moments for future happiness. We can realize this in retrospect. 

2. Transience: The second reason is that life’s happiness and distress are transient, akin to the changing seasons. Overly succumbing to any adversity can hinder us from fully embracing life. Recognizing the temporary nature of distress allows us to gracefully endure and grow. 

3. Appreciation: The third reason to embrace tolerance is elegantly simple. Can we truly savour the sweetness of life without experiencing its bitterness? The answer is no. Navigating and enduring through life’s challenging moments helps us genuinely appreciate life’s joys. Embracing distress allows us to revel in true happiness when delightful circumstances eventually unfold contemplation of spiritual wisdom. 

Excerpted from From Chaos To Calm: 108 Practices from the Gita for Inner Balance, written by Gauranga Darshan DasGauranga Darshan Das; published by Penguin Random House India.