At first glance, the Bhagavad Gita seems like just an ancient Indian text. However, above all, it is one of the greatest treatises on difficult decisions, purpose, self-responsibility, and mental transformation ever written. And it remains relevant, even after 2,000 years. In my experience, when someone understands its central message, they begin to see their own internal blocks with almost surgical clarity.

Ultimately, the Gita deals precisely with this: the internal battle between who we are and who we fear becoming. Furthermore, this work represents the intersection of profound philosophy and practical psychology, making it perfectly compatible with neuroscience., Mindfulness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Positive Psychology are disciplines that we explore in an integrated way in the Reprogrammed Mindset program.

So, if you feel you are experiencing mental conflict, stuck even when you know what to do, that you desire purpose but find yourself dominated by anxiety or fear, the Bhagavad Gita is a timeless guide for you.

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita, which means “"The Song of the Lord" or "The Sublime Song"” It is a sacred scripture of Hinduism, which is part of the Indian epic. Mahabharata. It presents a dialogue between Arjuna, a warrior in crisis, and Krishna, a symbol of mindfulness, before a great war, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Although the story takes place on a battlefield, the real conflict is not external: it is psychological. Arjuna, faced with an extremely difficult decision, suffers an emotional collapse. His mind becomes chaotic, anxious, paralyzed. He knows what he must do, but he cannot act.

It is at this moment that Krishna emerges as the voice of wisdom, clarity, and balance, that is, what we today call... Self-aware.

Just as our self-sabotaging thoughts distort reality, Arjuna also sees everything through emotional filters. The Gita, therefore, functions as a mirror: it shows how we make decisions when we are dominated by fear and how we can access clarity through mindfulness.

The text is composed of 18 chapters that address ethics, purpose, Self-control, discipline, action in the world, self-knowledge, mental states, and transcendence.

Despite being part of Mahabharata, The Gita, an Indian epic, should not be seen as a religious work. It is, in practice, a philosophical and psychological dialogue, a kind of "ancestral coaching," but with depth and rigor.

“"The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical dialogue between mind and consciousness, teaching how to find purpose, control emotions, and act with clarity even in times of crisis. It is not a religious text, but a guide to self-knowledge and emotional balance."”

Arjuna's inner conflict: the perfect metaphor for our emotional blocks.

Initially, it's important to understand that Arjuna isn't afraid of war, but rather of himself. Thus, he fears his choices, his emotions, his identity. He's facing a dilemma we've all experienced:

“"What if I fail?"”
“"What if I regret it?"”
“"What if I hurt someone?"”
“"What if I'm not enough?"”

At that moment, Arjuna declares: “"My mind is unstable, confused, consumed by fear."”

This is exactly how people freeze up when:

• They need to change careers.
• They want to end a toxic relationship.
• They try to abandon habits that sabotage them.
• They need to take charge of their own lives.
• They wish to start a new project.
• face existential crises

The battle of Arjuna is our modern battle.

Therefore, the battlefield is the mind.

Our enemies are the beliefs and emotions that paralyze us.

And Krishna, throughout the conversation, offers what science would only explain centuries later: emotional regulation, focus, detachment, acceptance, purpose, conscious action.

The main teachings of the Bhagavad Gita (and how to apply them today)

1. Dharma – the purpose that underpins our decisions

“Dharma” is not destiny, religion, or divine mission. Above all, it is a profound purpose.

It's the equivalent of what we call today "why you do what you do".

According to the Gita, emotional suffering arises when you live outside of your Dharma, that is, when you act against your inner integrity or do not respect your essential values.

In other words:

“"When you live far from your purpose, your mind becomes conflicted."”

2. Karma Yoga – acting without anxiety

Perhaps this is the best-known teaching:

“"You have the right to sue, but not to the fruits of that lawsuit."”

It's the most elegant and poetic way of saying:

• Do your part.
• act consistently
• Don't base its value on the outcome.
• Don't be a slave to expectations.

Furthermore, it is the basis of modern emotional regulation: acting with clarity, not on impulse or desperation.

It is also the perfect definition of mindful productivity.

3. Mind control: the mind as servant, not master.

Krishna teaches:

“"The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master."”

Neuroscience agrees: when the amygdala takes control, we react out of fear;
When the prefrontal cortex takes over, we respond with wisdom.

Emotional balance arises from this change of command.

4. Equanimity (Samattvam): the unwavering emotional center

The Gita teaches an essential concept:

“"Equanimity is acting without being swayed by emotions."”

Therefore, it's not about suppressing emotions, but about understanding them without losing lucidity. It is, above all, mindfulness pure.

5. Discipline and consistency: neuroplasticity before neuroscience

The Bhagavad Gita speaks repeatedly about discipline, practice, and repetition.

Therefore, what Krishna calls "Yoga" is, in essence, mental training.

Neuroscience fully agrees: it is conscious repetition that reshapes the brain.
This is how you build a new mindset. It's the neuroplasticity In action.

“"The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita show that suffering arises from mental confusion, and transformation occurs when we unite purpose (Dharma), conscious action (Karma Yoga), and self-control of the mind. These three pillars form the basis of inner change."”

Bhagavad Gita and modern science: the perfect bridge between spirituality and psychology.

Mindfulness – presence before the decision

Arjuna only finds clarity when he is silent. Krishna guides his attention to the present.
This is the foundation of mindfulness: pause, breathe, observe… and only then decide.

NLP: reframing and changing internal states

Gita is a large NLP process in the form of a dialogue.

Krishna:

• questions limiting beliefs
• dismantles generalizations
• reframe emotions
• puts Arjuna back in a resource-based state.

It's as if Krishna were applying rapport, metamodel and reinterpretation.

Positive Psychology: Purpose, Virtues, and Inner Strengths

The Gita is full of concepts equivalent to the model. PERMA: purpose (MeaningengagementEngagement) and personal virtues.

Above all, Krishna invites Arjuna to access his own strength:

• courage
• clarity
• self-discipline
• wisdom
• purpose

Positive Psychology does exactly the same thing.

Neuroscience: Regulating the amygdala, activating the prefrontal cortex.

The dialogue between the two is the transition from:

• reactive mind → amygdala
• conscious mind → prefrontal cortex

Arjuna begins in emotional collapse. Then, Krishna guides him towards self-regulation.

The Gita poetically describes what we now call:

• self-awareness
• emotional self-regulation
• rational analysis
• intentional action

In other words: Neuroplasticity existed before the invention of microscopes.

“The Bhagavad Gita connects with modern science because its principles—mindfulness, emotional regulation, purpose, and discipline—correspond to what we study today in mindfulness, positive psychology, neuroscience, and NLP. The Gita is, essentially, an ancient manual of self-awareness.”

How to apply the Gita to real life (without spiritualizing or complicating it)

1. Arjuna's pause (immediate regulation)

When you're stuck: stop, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.

Next, ask:

“"What's really going on in here?"”

That is exactly what Arjuna does before listening to Krishna.

2. Conscious inner dialogue (Modern Krishna)

Next, adopt the Gita's key question:

“"What is my role at this moment?"”

It's an elegant way to access purpose and deactivate impulses.

3. Daily Dharma

Similarly, ask in the morning:

“"What aligns with who I want to become?"”

This question redefines your behavior throughout the day.

4. Action without anxiety (Modern Karma Yoga)

Acting without attachment means: do 100% of what you can. However, accept that the outcome is not yours.

This reduces the anxiety and increases performance.

5. Consistency = neuroplasticity

The Gita insists on daily practice. So does science.

If you repeat something, your brain adapts. If your brain adapts, you change. And finally: if you change, your life changes.

What not to do when trying to apply the Bhagavad Gita

However, misinterpreting the Gita can lead you astray. For example:

1. Turning the Gita into a religion: It loses the psychological power of the text.
2. Use only for inspiration, not for action. The Gita only works when applied, not when read.
3. Interpret literally: The battle is internal, not external.
4. To evade personal responsibility: Arjuna tries to escape — and Krishna confronts him.
   Growth involves self-responsibility.
5. Seek enlightenment before discipline: The Gita makes it clear: first constancy, then clarity.

In conclusion: the battle is internal… and so is the victory.

The Bhagavad Gita is more than just an ancient text. Above all, it is an inner map, a guide for the human mind.

She teaches that:

• Purpose brings clarity.
• Clarity brings courage.
• Courage brings action.
• Constant action brings transformation.

And most importantly: the real war is against our own beliefs, fears, and saboteurs.

Like Arjuna, you too have a part of you that knows what to do, but freezes.
Furthermore, it has a wise inner voice that can be awakened, trained, and strengthened.

The Bhagavad Gita is, therefore, a reminder that: The mind can be reprogrammed.,
The purpose can be found and the action can be resumed.

Therefore, all you need to do is listen to the right voice within you.

FAQ – Questions and answers about the Bhagavad Gita

1. What does Bhagavad Gita mean?

It means “"The Song of the Lord" or "The Sublime Song"”, But the meaning is philosophical: a dialogue between consciousness and the human mind.

2. Is the Bhagavad Gita a religious text?

No. It is a philosophical and psychological treatise, applicable to anyone, regardless of religion.

3. What can I learn from the Bhagavad Gita about anxiety?

The Gita teaches emotional regulation, detachment, presence, and focus—principles similar to mindfulness modern.

4. How can I apply Karma Yoga today?

Perform your tasks with excellence, but without anxiety about the outcome. This reduces stress and increases performance.

5. Does the Bhagavad Gita align with science?

Yes. His teachings on focus, purpose, discipline, and mind control are consistent with neuroscience and NLP.

Image: Illustration of Arjuna and Krishna

Marcel Castilho

Marcel Castilho is an expert in neuromarketing, neuroscience, mindfulness and positive psychology. In addition to being an advertiser, he also has a Master's degree in NLP – Neurolinguistic Programming. As the owner and founder of the communications agency VeroCom and also of the digital agency Vero Contents, he has been studying human behavior for over 30 years.