Anitha Nair

Discovering My own User Manual

Anitha nair

One of the key realisations in the past year of the Mind Awareness and Management in Bhagavad Gita (MAMinBG) sessions, is that the first step in managing my mind, was to be consciously aware of the mind and where it is at any given point during my day-to-day activities.

To allow my mind to rest solely on the task that I am engaged in, be it at home, work or elsewhere was a challenge as this went against the long established programming that the ability to multitask is a much desired skill, especially in the workplace where this can be a commonly asked question to a candidate during recruitment. The sessions have enlightened me to the fact that it is not the ability to multitask that is required but the ability to switch efficiently from one task to another and being fully immersed in the task that is in front of oneself.

From the start our teacher, Dr Kannan, had encouraged us to recite the chapter of the Gita being studied and memorise the slokas1. I did not think that I was capable of memorising the slokas but മനസ്സ് വച്ാൽ എന്ം നമുക്സ് െചയ്ാൻ പറ്ം 2 was a long forgotten sentiment that I happily re-discovered. I also realised that I am only inhibited by my own, often unconsciously self-applied limitations.

I value the journey that Dr Kannan has taken us on through the chapters of Karmayōga, Dhyānayōgam and Bhaktiyōgam. Such a perfectly constructed and logical journey where at almost every session a reminder is given that Karmayōga is the foundation on which we must build strongly in order to evolve and manage our life’s journey beautifully.

Once the Karmayōga portion was completed, the explanations of the following two chapters were easier to digest and then we began Chapter 13, Kṣētra Kṣētrajña Vibhāga Yōgam. For me, the first couple of sessions at least in this chapter were very difficult. I felt like I was drowning under the weight of the meaning of the slokas and concept. Thoughts arose as to whether I should continue with the sessions or just stop and be satisfied with continuing to apply the teachings of the completed chapters. However, I have continued to attend and happily ‘treading water’ to stay afloat! I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Kannan for guiding us so capably and

the sessions have enlightened me to the fact that it is not the ability to multitask that is required but the ability to switch efficiently from one task to another and being fully immersed in the task that is in front of oneself.

exquisitely through the chapters. Thanks also to Deepa and all members of the MAMinBG group for their contributions.

Anitha Nair, Research Assistant in Academia (Biochemistry), Oxford, UK.

Notes:

1 A sloka is a unit of four lines of Sanskrit verse.

2 Meaning: If there is a will, anything can eventually be achieved.