Pratipakṣa bhāvanam

How often we get lost in the only way of thinking we can muster? How often our conditioning prevents us from even acknowledging the existence of other perspectives? Very often, for most of us. We quickly rush to conclude that we are right and that our emotional reaction (anger / sadness etc) to the reality on ground is totally justified. Awakening is the process of 'seeing' the mechanical nature of this kind of behavior of us.

What are we awake to? We are simply awake to our own conditioning. We first acknowledge that our perspective is limited and that it simply may be wrong or be a fragment of the truth. When one is awake to this possibility, one can be aware of ones mind going down that route for the umpteenth time. Then, the individual is ready to beat the conditioning. The only way to beat the conditioning is to be totally aware of our own patterns of thinking and to acknowledge from the core of our heart that our perspective is conditioned. Then, we should consciously take every possible perspective of the situation. Patanjali calls it 'Pratipakṣa bhāvanam'. In the second chapter of yoga sutras, he says,

vitarka-bādane pratipakṣa bhāvanam

Wrong actions, based out of untruth, can be neutralized by taking every possible perspective.

This idea is found in many cultures. Thirumoolar, too, has written about it.

நடுவுநின் றார்க்கன்றி ஞானமும் இல்லை

நடுவுநின் றார்க்கு நரகமும் இல்லை

நடுவுநின் றார்நல்ல தேவரும் ஆவர்

நடுவுநின் றார்வழி நானும்நின் றேனே.

There is no better wisdom than taking the middle path,

Takers of middle path do not suffer,

Many who take the middle path are gods,

I too follow the middle path!

It is such a simple and basic piece of wisdom that it is astounding how often well grown mature adults fail on this count. The sad thing is, even when they fail, people do not know they have failed in living up to this basic piece of wisdom. Its a sad reflection of our education system which results in most of knowing the Newtons three laws of motion by heart but very few know, let alone practice, such basic piece of wisdom. Knowing and living this can go a long way in improving the consciousness level of our society thereby directly leading to long lasting peace!

Of course, some perspectives are plainly wrong. Like if someone opines that the earth is flat and is supported on the back of turtles, we simply have to reject this. But, many times, especially in issues of relationships, there are often many fragments of truth. When we consciously see every perspective, then suddenly we see the elephant, the big picture, and at that point, we will be able to witness reality in all of its glory!

While initially taking every possible perspective is hard, with effort the difficulty reduces. Initially, when we are totally identified with our own perspective, with intention and sincerity we can force ourselves to take other perspectives. Its useful at this stage to have a wise person around to gently introduce other perspectives. It may also be useful if there is someone whom we like with the alternate perspectives. Its also useful to remind ourselves of Krishnamurthis words constantly - 'truth is not a matter to be decided by any individuals opinions'. Slowly, after some time the requirement for effort reduces and eventually, one day, taking every possible perspective may become effortless. At that point, the ego simply does not matter to the individual and there is no effort whatsoever in not listening to it. In fact, holding on to the ego could very well become effort then. Ones the freedom of the absence of ego is tasted, very few individuals would want to get back to the old ways. Patanjali describes this pithily in this sutra, again in chapter 2 of yoga sutras,

prayatna ṡaitilyānanta samāpattibhyām

With effort, the knots release and gradually in effortlessness one merges with the endless

Again, thirumoolar echoes similar sentiments,

செயலற் றிருக்கச் சிவானந்த மாகும்

செயலற் றிருப்பார் சிவயோகம் தேடார்

செயலற் றிருப்பார் செகத்தோடுங் கூடார்

செயலற் றிருப்பார்க்கே செய்தியுண் டாமே

Resting in effortlessness is being suffused in grace,

Effortless people don't try to reach Sivas abode,

Effortless people dont conform with the world,

Only effortless people hear the good news!

Can we all see how our perspective is so limited most times and consciously try to take every available perspective, no matter how much another perspective threatens the emotional security our own perspective provides us?