
The Importance Of Discretion And How To Cultivate It

Notes: I have translated the Bhagavadgita twice. The first one was a loose translation. The second one was a word to word translation with a detailed commentary. The commentary is however different from what you will find here. In this section I will share with you my thoughts about the knowledge, philosophy and wisdom of the Bhagavadgita as I understand it from my perspective. Jayaram V
Discretion means the ability to distinguish things. When we do not have discretion, we will make a number of mistakes. Such mistakes can in the end prove costly. Sometimes simple mistakes due to lack of discretion can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. Simple commonsense plays an important role in discretion. If you have commonsense you will avoid making mistakes or behaving indiscreetly in public or on social networks. However, as we observe in our daily lives, not all people use commonsense.
Discretion is not the domain of humans only. It is predominant in those who think logically and use their reason rather than emotions to solve their problems. Even animals possess some discretion, which they use wisely to choose their food, identify threats and distinguish friends and mates from potential enemies. The power of discretion comes with birth. We can see its play in a month old baby who can recognize familiar faces and know how to respond to a smile, pain, or a threat.
You can improve your discretion by improving your clarity of thought. You can train your mind to perceive things clearly without the usual filters of the mind. One of the major obstacles to clear thinking and thereby to your discretion is attachment. If the mind is filled with desires and attachments, it is difficult to think clearly. Your judgment will be clouded by them, which prevents you from discerning things as they are rather than what you expect them to be.
Most of the time our perceptions are colored by our thoughts, desires, attachments, fears and expectations. If you can get rid of them, you will think clearly. The Bhagavadgita suggests that you must possess discretion. It arises from intelligence, which in turn arises from the purity of your consciousness. The purer you mind and body are, the greater will be your intelligence and your ability to make right decisions.
Suggestions for Further Reading
- The Wisdom of the Bhagavadgita, Main Page
- The Wisdom of the Upanishads, Main Page
- The Bhagavad-Gita Essays and Translations
- An Introduction To The Bhagavad-Gita And Its Three Secrets
- Why to Study the Bhagavadgita Parts 1 to 4
- The Abbreviated Bhagavadgita
- The Problem of Maya Or Illusion and How To Deal With It
- The Problem of Maya Or Illusion and How To Deal With It
- The Bhagavadgita, Philosophy and Concepts
- The Many Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism
- Divine Qualities Of A True Worshipper Of God
- The Bhagavadgita on Karma, the Law of Actions
- Maya, The Grand Illusion Or The Delusion Of The Mind
- Aspects, Emanations, Incarnations and Forms of God Vishnu
- Dvaita or Advaita What is the Truth?
- Symbolism in the Bhagavadgita
- The Truth About Karma
- Meaning and Definition of Bhagavan
- Brahman the Supreme Universal Lord of All
- What is Bhakti or Devotion?
- Bhakti Marg, the Path of Devotion
- History and information about Mathura and Vrindavan Temples
- True Devotion and Qualities of a True Devotee
- Essays On Sorrow And Its Spiritual Significance
- The Yoga of Knowledge or the Samkhya Yoga, Verses and Commnetary by Jayaram V
- Essays On Dharma
- Esoteric Mystic Hinduism
- Introduction to Hinduism
- Hindu Way of Life
- Essays On Karma
- Hindu Rites and Rituals
- The Origin of The Sanskrit Language
- Symbolism in Hinduism
- Essays on The Upanishads
- Concepts of Hinduism
- Essays on Atman
- Hindu Festivals
- Spiritual Practice
- Right Living
- Yoga of Sorrow
- Happiness
- Mental Health
- Concepts of Buddhism
- General Essays