Follow Your Own Path

Eknath Easwaran’s Commentary on this quote

Eknath Easwaran wrote a commentary on this passage in his book, The Bhagavad Gita. Here is an excerpt from his commentary:

“This is a very important verse, for it reminds us that the most important thing is to find our own path in life, and to follow it with integrity. It does not matter if our path is not perfect, or if we make mistakes along the way. What matters is that we are sincere in our search, and that we are willing to learn from our mistakes.

If we try to follow someone else’s path, we will never be truly happy. We will always be looking over our shoulder, wondering if we are doing things right. But if we follow our own path, even if it is imperfect, we will find true happiness and fulfillment.”

Easwaran goes on to say that the path we choose should be one that is in line with our values and our highest ideals. It should be a path that we can be proud of, even if it is not always easy.

He also says that we should not be afraid to make mistakes along the way. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. The important thing is to learn from our mistakes and to keep moving forward.

Seth Godin’s Commentary on this quote

“This practice is a journey without an external boss. Because there’s no one in charge, this path requires us to trust ourselves—and more importantly, our Selves—instead*.

*[Sometimes I use the phrase “trust your self,” with three words instead of two. Who is “your”? Who’s doing the trusting and who’s being trusted?—And who is your “Self”?] – AD.

The Bhagavad Gita says, “It is better to follow your own path, however imperfectly, than to follow someone else’s perfectly.” Consider the people who have found their voice and made a real impact: their paths always differ, but their practices overlap in many ways.

At the heart of the creative’s practice is trust: the difficult journey to trust in your Self, the often hidden self, the unique human each of us lives with.

See the pattern, find your practice, and you can begin to live the process of making magic. Your magic. The magic that we need right now.”

—Seth Godin, The Practice [Portfolio/Penguin, (2020). Trust Your Self] Pp. 7-8.