31. Intellect Leads to Equanimity
K rishna says that in karma yoga , the buddhi (intellect) is coherent and the intellect of those who are irresolute is bahu-shakha (many-branched) (2.41). S amatva (equanimity) is yoga , which is the balance between the pairs of polarities we face, like pleasure and pain; winning and losing; and profit and loss (2.48 & 2.38). Karma yoga is the path to transcend these polarities, ultimately leading to a coherent intellect. On the other hand, an imbalanced intellect robs us of our ‘peace of mind’. Our general presumption is that ‘peace of mind’ automatically follows pleasure, winning and profit. Krishna dispels this notion when he says that a coherent intellect brought about by the practice of karma yoga gives us peace of mind by helping us transcend polarities. An irresolute intellect keeps dividing situations, outcomes and people as good or bad. Our behaviour is deeply influenced by such divisions. In the workplace, we apply one yardstick to those below us ...