Some people say, “See every adversity as an opportunity.” While such an exhortation to think positive sounds good and can be helpful, it can be platitudinous, insensitive or unhelpful especially if we have gone through a catastrophic upheaval. 

What can we do amidst such situations? If we can’t see adversity itself as an opportunity, we can still seek some opportunity within that adversity or seek some opportunity that may emerge through that adversity. What we seek is what we increase the chance of finding; what we aren’t seeking, we are less likely to find. 

In fact, the attitude of looking for some opportunity within adversity is both realistic and optimistic. Realistic because we don’t deny the problem, and optimistic because we simultaneously don’t deny ourselves the opportunity to look for some positivity within the negativity of the problem. 

Such thinking becomes easier if we equip ourselves with spiritual knowledge. Gita wisdom explains that we are at our core souls who are on a multi-life journey of spiritual evolution. And overseeing and even orchestrating our evolution is an omniscient, omni-benevolent Lord who can bring good even out of the bad. 

During our life-journey, what is our lasting possession? It is not any material acquisition or relationship — these may be threatened or lost amidst adversity. It is our spiritual realization: our awareness of our own indestructibility and our inalienable relationship with our Lord. And this realization can be furthered through both materially favorable and unfavorable situations. By connecting ourselves with Krishna through the practice of bhakti-yoga regularly, we will be better equipped to think of him amidst difficulties too, thereby seeing spiritual positivity amidst material negativity.

Echoing this theme, the Bhagavad-gita (18.58) assures that if we become conscious of Krishna, we can rise over all obstacles. 

 

Think it over:

  • What is the problem with seeing adversity as opportunity?
  • How can we see opportunity in adversity?
  • How can spiritual knowledge help us see opportunity in adversity?

 

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18.58  If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.

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