How can we prevent our emotions from affecting our decisions?

Answer Podcast

Transcript

This is an AI-generated transcript and may contain some errors.
And the second question is about our emotions affecting our decisions. Yes, that’s always a possibility.
And that is why the Gita recommends that there are basically it talks about three modes in which we function. It is called sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna. Goodness, passion and ignorance.
Basically, these are, the modes are subtle forces that shape the interaction between matter and consciousness. That means, say, there are three people who are sitting in a bus. And they’re sitting, all three are sitting on the window seats.
And they’re looking out of the window. And there’s greenery outside. And the first person is in tamo-guna, in the mode of ignorance.
The person is trying to just sleep. And the bus is on a bumpy road. The bus is bumping up and down, not able to sleep.
They look out of the window. They see the green, lush green forest. Such a nice place to sleep.
I would just go there and sleep. The second person is in the mode of passion. They look at the greenery and they remember the latest romantic movie that they have seen.
And they think, if I just had a partner, I would enjoy over here. The third person is in the mode of goodness. They’re trying to read a book.
And the bus movement is distracting them. They look at the forest and think, such a peaceful place. I could immerse myself in the wisdom of this book.
Same object, entirely different perceptions. So the modes shape our perception. So now, when I talk about modes being subtle forces that shape the interaction between matter and consciousness, we ourselves go through different modes at different times.
Sometimes we are calm and reflective. Sometimes we are passionate. I’ve got to do something.
I want to achieve something in my life. Sometimes I just feel lazy. I have so many things.
Why bother? Just go. Don’t bother about it. Sometimes I just feel apathetic about things.
So normally, if we have to make any major decisions in our life, we should not be doing them when we are in the modes of ignorance or passion. When we are in the mode of goodness, that means when we are calm and reflective, at that time we will be able to think clearly. In the mode of passion, so generally in the mode of goodness, in sattva guna, there is first contemplation and then there is action.
In the mode of passion, there is first action and then contemplation. We speak, why did I do that? Why did I say that? And in the mode of ignorance, there is neither contemplation nor action. Just inaction, lethargy.
So usually, if you have to make major decisions, it is best to do them, make those decisions when we are in the mode of goodness. Even if they seem urgent, we press a pause button, we do whatever, we will all find certain activities which can make us more reflective. Maybe go to a calm place, read some books of wisdom, pray, meditate.
Then by that we come to the mode of goodness. At that time, we will be able to think more carefully. And it’s not that all our emotions are bad.
Basically, we all have some stray feelings which just come, possess us for some time and go away. And some things which are lasting, this is what I feel inspired to do, this is what I want to do. Lasting feelings are some things which we need to take account of.
So say, if we have to make a major decision, we write it down. This is what I’m feeling like, this is the advantage, these are the disadvantages. And then if it’s a major decision, we keep it in abeyance, the decision, and we revisit it after a week.
We revisit it after 2-3 weeks. If we find that overall, our thoughts remain the same over a period of time, our overall way of thinking remains the same, then we understand this is what I feel inspired to do. This is not just a fleeting fancy, this is actually something which is very important for me.
It’s a deep-rooted inclination or inspiration for me, and then I can decide how to act on it. Basically, if we can take decisions when we are in a calm, collected, reflective mood, then our emotions won’t interfere with our decision-making process. Thank you.