The greatest power gifted to human beings is the power to make decisions! However, the power of decision-making varies sharply from person to person. Few are quick and swift in making even life-changing decisions, whereas some struggle all their lives to manage only the basic decisions. What do you think is the reason behind this difference? What exactly determines the power of decision-making in a person?
The Inner Machinery: A Parliamentary System
Do you know our inner machinery functions very similar to a parliamentary system? The mind's function is to present information, the consciousness stores the visuals, the intellect plays the vital role of a Prime Minister and renders decisions, while the ego acts as the President, putting its signature on those decisions. So, it is the intellect that makes decisions. Just as one cannot hear when their ears are not functioning, or cannot smell when their nose faces difficulty, similarly one cannot decide when their intellect fails to carry out its function. And where does the ultimate power lie?
Decisions Based on Circumstantial Evidence
Intellect makes the decision, but it is based on scientific circumstantial evidence. Let us understand what that means. For example, you see a beautiful rainbow in the sky. Who made the rainbow? And who filled in the colors? No one! The rainbow just happens. When all the required circumstantial evidences come together, only then do we see a rainbow. The sun, the clouds, the observer, the time, etc., are called circumstantial evidences. Similarly, the decision gets made by the intellect when all the circumstantial evidences required for the decision come together. When and how these circumstances will come together is determined by the law of Nature.
Decisions Happen When Relaxed and Rested
A clear and relaxed intellect is one of the important evidences that influences decision-making. If thoughts and emotions are swirling around in our head at the time of making decisions, they tend to confuse and cloud the intellect. This causes stress and makes one feel depressed. In such a situation, here is what you can do:
1. Limit the Options
Keeping a wide array of choices open often plagues one with indecisiveness. Narrow down your options based on your goals. If you are clear on your goals, nature is by your side; things become straightforward and you will find the right path.
2. Pros and Cons of Decision
Make use of the popular 'pros and cons' list method. Write down your thoughts on paper to free your mind of clutter. Work through the positive and negative aspects of each choice under consideration, and evaluate which choice's positives are more and which one's negatives are more.
3. Ask for Help
Getting a personal opinion from a friend, guide, or someone you trust can empower your decision-making by giving you the confidence and reassurance you need. Serve them the facts, your thoughts, and the options you are considering along with their pros and cons, and ask them what you should do. Your friend's suggestion can help you reach a decision.
4. Do Not Get Emotional
Note in which direction the circumstantial evidences are pushing you, and let that guide your decision-making. When the time is right, the evidences will come forth and the decision will come about on its own. Keep studying the evidences, and in some time the decision will be taken automatically.
5. Be Spontaneous
If we think, we shall realize that we are just one of so many factors in the matter of making a decision about a particular thing. Sometimes we may have made a particular decision about something, but eventually, due to other circumstantial evidences, we may have to change it to something beyond our imagination. Why does that happen? So just be spontaneous and go with the flow without taking the stress of doership.
Nature empowers you with the best decision-making power when the Self remains in the function of the Self and the intellect remains in the function of the intellect. For that, the first step is to gain Self Realization from the Gnani, the Enlightened One!
Authored by: Dada Bhagwan
