Question : Why don’t I like to study or, in general, do my prescribed duty? I do not enjoy doing any work. Why do I feel great pain while doing that? I see that other friends and devotees easily absorb their minds in their works and do it but I am not able to absorb my mind. I do not find in myself any creativity.
Please tell what the reason is for this and cure for it.
Answer by Romapada Swami:
This strong aversion or inertia for action should be understood to be the effect of material infection, due to tamo-guna. Krishna describes the strange effects of this mode of nature in BG Chapter 14. This inertia is opposite to the nature of spirit, for the spirit soul by nature is always active.
Everyone is interested in enjoying, but when one becomes frustrated in trying to enjoy or sees only painful reverses, i.e. one is not motivated enough by how a particular activity will help one enjoy, then one becomes disinterested in that activity and loses all enthusiasm.
Although this was not entirely his difficulty, it was one of the reasons why Arjuna was reluctant to fight (which was his prescribed duty). Arjuna felt he would not be able to enjoy the result of the battle, regardless of whether he wins or loses; therefore he declined to fight (whereas Duryodhana’s party was very enthusiastic to fight as a consequence of the mode of passion and hope to enjoy; and as we know, mode of passion results in misery also)! (Please see BG 1.30-35)
The proper antidote for inertia is spiritual enthusiasm, enthusiasm to act for Krishna’s sake. It begins with cultivation of the mode of goodness by acting as one is obliged — without expectation of enjoying the result, or fear of loss / failure. Just act on the platform of duty, i.e. ‘I ought to do my duties, whether or not I feel like doing it, whether or not I think I am good at it etc.’ Rather than being absorbed in calculations of ‘what’s in it for me?’, do it as a sacrifice simply because it will make Krishna happy.
As Krishna urges Arjuna, “Give up this lethargy or feverish mentality and fight”, and Srila Prabhupada adds that even if such an injunction seems to make things a little difficult, we must discharge our duties ‘as if in military discipline’. (BG 3.30) By ignoring the urges of the mind and patiently practicing like this, the mind will become purified, the initial inertia will be overcome, and then gradually you will begin to taste the spiritual happiness which comes as a consequence pleasing Krishna through discharging your duties.
While you practice cultivating this mood in doing your study/work, a second recommendation I would like to offer is that you side-by-side take shelter of spiritual practices, such as studying and contemplating of scriptural messages daily, and cultivating loving relationships with devotees. This will give you positive spiritual strength and superior impetus by which you can overcome the aversions and attachments of the mind in executing day-to-day duties.
