Nicholas Acker Outside Reading #1: Bhagavad Gita

“How are we to act in this world of conflict and suffering?” The Gita’s answer is simply to act out of love. This hidden song of the divinity calls souls to act out of love in all that they do, in all that they think, feel and will. The Gita insists that human life in meant for hearing this innermost song of the heart.” This quote captures much of the essence of the Gita and prepares the reader for the literary work which they are about to get into. The text of the actual reading seems a little intimidating and hard to understand, but the introduction has introduced some of the ideas and what they mean and make me look forward to reading on. It is interesting to read how the text has spread its message across the world, in different languages and on different continents. The simple answer to the complex question of how to act in this world of conflict and suffering is to act out of love. When you act out of love, how can suffering or pain exist? To act out of love in every situation can be interpreted differently as well though. Some actions may be done out of love for one person, but hurt someone else, so a person wouldn’t be acting out of love for the other person. Dilemmas like this are present every day, but if one keeps in the back of their mind to act out of love in all situations, the right action will present itself.