It was Sir Isaac Newton who observed that in Nature, every action causes an immediate and opposite reaction in response to the former. This became famously known as his Third Law of Motion.Little did he realize that this Law also applies to day-to-day situations in our lives!Our Prarabdh or Fate puts us in situations depending upon our past Karma. Once exposed to a particular situation or environmental stimulus, we react to it immediately and helplessly, without thinking, according to the impulses born of the Modes of Material Nature (BG 3.8). We don’t consider the possible consequences of our actions. We don’t even pause to consider the options available to us.Not that we always react in an unwanted manner. Depending on which Mode of Nature predominantly influencing us the time, we will act in the Mode of Goodness (Sattvic), Passion (Rajasic) or Ignorance (Tamasic). Accordingly, our reactions may be beneficial or disastrous!But if one thinks carefully about it, one will realize that between every environmental stimulus (situation) that we are exposed to, and our reaction towards it, there exists a small interval of time. For e.g. if someone says something to me, there is a small time lag before I respond.This time lag may be in milliseconds, but it does exist.Stimulus---Small interval of time (reaction time)---ReactionUtilizing this small reaction time can make all the difference and change the outcome of an event altogether!How?Situation: A customer may not be happy with a meal at my restaurant. He may behave aggressively, fight with the waiter, and say all sorts of rude, untrue and threatening things to me.Now I can react immediately and tell him to get out or have him thrown out, taking care of the matter once and for all. But this man may leave cursing me, my family and my establishment, vowing never to visit my restaurant again. And perhaps influencing a few other customers on his way out. He may even turn out to be or know a reporter and take out his ire in the local newspaper by way of bad publicity.Or I may grab and use that reaction time. Before I respond to him, I can first remember Krishna and use my Intelligence to figure out how I can handle the matter. In a low-toned polite voice, I can show genuine concern for his complaints. Having calmed him down (which happens most of the time!), I can then explain my side of the story and try and create a compromise wherein he and I are both satisfied. He may ultimately leave my restaurant with a smile on his face and indeed, become my regular customer!If we train ourselves to perceive this reaction time as mentioned in the above example, we can first of all, remember Krishna and pray to Him, ‘How do I react to this situation?’Because by surrendering to Him, He will grant us the Intelligence to act in the appropriate manner.What is this Intelligence? Intelligence is defined by Srila Prabhupada (BG 10.4-5 Purport) as the power to analyze things in their proper perspective. It denotes the Ability to discriminate what is Right and Wrong. What should be done and what should not be done. This Intelligence helps us make appropriate choices that are Karma-free, and beneficial for our Spiritual development.This Intelligence is not to be confused with Memory, which we use to remember and analyze data, knowledge concerning our work, education etc.Using this Intelligence, we can consider the various options of action and actually choose our reaction to the stimulus.One might argue that there are certain situations in our life that demand an ‘immediate’ reaction, where things happen so fast, there is no time to do all the above things. In such cases, would it be possible to pick up and utilize the reaction time for ourselves?Yes. It is possible.Consider the following example. Cricket-ignorant as I am, if I was sent out on the field with a bat, to face a very fast bowler, I would have trouble even seeing the ball hurtling towards me. Whereas a trained batsman like Sachin Tendulkar will not only see the ball, he will be able to judge its line and length, mentally choose the appropriate shot for it, position himself and play that shot successfully. All in a matter of milliseconds.So it’s all a matter of training.Then how do we train ourselves to perceive and utilize this Reaction Time?By personal experience, I can assure you that chanting the Mahamantra the best way to do this. Chanting increases our concentration, analytical and perceptive powers.It’s amazing! On those days when I’m chanting regularly, time seems to actually slow down enough for me to visualize the environmental stimulus approaching me. Just like Sachin Tendulkar, I can actually take a moment to analyze the situation and choose my reaction to it. And then perform the action appropriate to it.And on the days when I’m not chanting regularly…sigh…!!So to sum up, when exposed to any stimulus:1. Pause for a moment; step back. Tell yourself that you don’t have to react immediately.2. Remember Krishna and surrender to Him. Pray for the Intelligence to act in a correct manner.3. Use your Intelligence to consider the options available to you. Choose the one most appropriate to you from a practical and moral point of view (think ‘would my dearest Krishna approve of this action?’)4. Act…for Krishna.Practice this regularly and see it work for you.OK, now one might argue that Sachin Tendulkar is mentally prepared for the above situation; he is expecting that ball to come to him. Whereas in life, some situations come upon us when we are least prepared for them.True. But if one really thinks about it, such situations are so infrequent they may not really be a bother at all.And if such situations do arise in our lives, the only remedy is to completely surrender to Krishna. Wholeheartedly. Beg and plead with Him to show us the way and bale us out. He never lets us down!In such situations, Krishna will cause us to act as per His will. In this case what can possibly go wrong…and what karmic reaction can accrue to us? :)Better still, sometimes He may even Himself act through us!What more could one desire… :) :)N.B. The above article represents my understanding of the subject, based upon my meager knowledge. It may not be altogether correct. I request any senior Devotees reading this article to kindly comment on the same and correct me/ add more information to it if necessary. I would be most grateful to them for the same.Haribol!

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Comments

  • Hare Krishna Prabhuji, you showed a very practical way of solving the everyday woes, becoming angry and then repenting later. Devotees, by being devoted and submissive to Shri Krishna can overcome it by your means. This certainly makes us think of Shri Krishna all through. Thank you for the nice post. Hare Krishna.

     

  • Excellent !!! An eye opener....Prabhuji you are an excellent writer. Plese i would like to get some tips for writing . i havea great desire for writing for BTG...pls help me to train to write acc to our philosophy and in a crative way like you do.
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