World’s First Sacred Counseling Ever… | Shrestha | Psychologist and Asstt. Editor | The People Management
Hindu mythology attributes the world’s first counseling to Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita. This ancient text, which is a part of the Mahabharata, is set on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Krishna teaches the warrior prince Arjuna timeless wisdom. The Bhagavad Gita comprises a summary of Krishna’s counseling, which addresses an array of existential concerns throughout 18 chapters. In his spiritual teachings, he offers philosophical expositions, logical discourse, and additional forms of guidance. Across the 18 chapters, the Bhagavad Gita comprises 700 verses, termed shlokas. About 574 of these are spoken by Lord Krishna, and about 84 are spoken by Arjuna. Sanjaya tells King Dhritarashtra the story of the events in the remaining verses.
Krishna addresses Arjuna’s queries and disbelief with lessons throughout the dialogue. The most significant dialogue of the Bhagavad Gita, which offers profound philosophical insight and useful life guidance, unfolds between Krishna and Arjuna.
Krishna offers profound psychological and spiritual therapies in the Bhagavad Gita, which are still relevant and enlightening for people today. Firstly, he provides cognitive therapy by challenging Arjuna’s perspective. He shifts Arjuna’s focus from temporary, worldly attachments to the eternal nature of the soul. Secondly, he offers behavioral therapies through practical advice on how to achieve equanimity amidst chaos. Furthermore, he introduces meditation and contemplation (Dhyana Yoga) as therapeutic practices to attain spiritual enlightenment. Krishna’s advice emphasizes self-control and mindfulness, which is similar to techniques used in contemporary mindfulness-based therapies. He emphasizes the value of mental discipline and present-moment awareness, which are essential for stress management and emotional regulation, by urging Arjuna to keep his composure and focus in the face of chaos.
“The mind alone is one’s friend as well as one’s enemy” ~ Bhagavad Gita