Communication Lesson from the Bhagavad Geeta

The Bhagavad Gita, often called the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. While it is primarily a philosophical and spiritual text, the Gita also offers insights on effective communication and leadership. Here are some lessons on communication skills that can be derived from the Bhagavad Gita:

1. Active Listening: Arjuna, the prince and warrior, starts by expressing his doubts and concerns about the war. Lord Krishna listens patiently before offering advice. This teaches the importance of listening actively and understanding the other person’s perspective.
2. Clarity in Message: Lord Krishna provides clear and concise answers to Arjuna's concerns. He doesn't mince words or confuse Arjuna further. Clear communication is key to avoiding misunderstandings.
3. Empathy: Throughout the discourse, Krishna empathises with Arjuna's dilemmas, validating his feelings before guiding him. This highlights the importance of empathising with the receiver's emotions and perspectives.
4. Tailored Messaging: Krishna tailors his message to Arjuna's level of understanding and uses various techniques – stories, analogies, and direct teachings – to get his message across.
5. Assertiveness: Lord Krishna, while being compassionate, is also assertive in emphasising the duty (Dharma) of Arjuna as a warrior, underscoring the balance between being gentle and being firm when needed.
6. Feedback: The conversation between Krishna and Arjuna is two-way. Arjuna asks questions raises doubts, and Krishna addresses them, showcasing the importance of feedback in effective communication.
7. Influence without Coercion: Lord Krishna presents various arguments but ultimately leaves the decision to Arjuna. This highlights the significance of influencing through persuasion rather than force.
8. Big Picture Perspective: Instead of addressing Arjuna's immediate concerns, Krishna provides a broader perspective on life, duty, and the nature of the soul. This can be related to framing messages in a way that offers a holistic view or vision.
9. Emotional Control: The Gita teaches the importance of controlling one's emotions and not letting them cloud judgment. It's essential to remain calm and composed, especially in difficult conversations.
10. Importance of Timing: Lord Krishna delivers his discourse just before the battle, indicating the importance of choosing the right time to convey critical messages.
11. Holistic Understanding: Before speaking, one should have a holistic understanding of the subject. Krishna’s vast knowledge of various subjects, from duty to the nature of life and the universe, is evident in his discourses. Effective communication often requires a broad and comprehensive grasp of the topic.
12. Consistency in Message: Throughout the Gita, Krishna’s core messages about duty, righteousness, and devotion remain consistent. Consistency in communication helps in building trust and credibility.
13. Self-awareness and Reflection: The Gita emphasises the importance of self-awareness and introspection. Self-awareness can help us understand our biases, preferences, and emotional triggers, leading to clearer and more honest communication.
14. Addressing the Core Issue: Krishna penetrates the heart of Arjuna's dilemma, addressing not just the symptoms (his reluctance to fight) but the underlying cause (his attachments and misunderstandings about life and death). Effective communicators address the root of a problem, not just its manifestations.
15. Using Multiple Modalities: Krishna uses stories, logic, philosophical discourse and even displays his universal form. This underscores the importance of leveraging various communication tools and modalities to communicate the message.
16. Respect for the Receiver: Although Krishna imparts wisdom, he always respects Arjuna’s agency and intellect. He never belittles or demeans Arjuna, teaching us always to respect the receiver's intelligence and autonomy.
17. Building a Connection: Krishna establishes a connection with Arjuna before diving into the teachings, underlining the importance of building rapport and trust in communication.
18. Reiteration for Emphasis: Important points, such as the impermanence of the body and the permanence of the soul, are reiterated throughout the Gita, showing that repetition can be a powerful tool for emphasis and retention.
19. Openness to Questions: Krishna allows and encourages questions from Arjuna, highlighting the importance of being open to questions and clarifications for effective communication.
20. Conciseness and Brevity: While the Gita is deep and philosophical, Krishna's teachings are often concise and to the point. Being concise can sometimes be more effective than verbose explanations.
21. Context Matters: Krishna presents his discourse in the context of a battlefield, using metaphors and examples relevant to Arjuna's current situation. This highlights the importance of framing our message in a context relevant to our audience.
22. Authenticity in Speech: Throughout the Gita, Krishna speaks from a place of authenticity, devoid of deceit. Authentic communication is more likely to resonate and build trust.
23. Avoid Overloading Information: While Krishna has infinite knowledge, he delivers what's relevant to Arjuna's dilemma. It's a reminder to avoid overwhelming listeners with unnecessary details.
24. Visual Aids: Krishna shows his "Vishvarupa" (Universal Form) to Arjuna, giving him a visual representation to emphasise his teachings. Visual aids can often enhance the comprehension of complex topics.
25. Adaptable Communication: Depending on Arjuna's state of mind, Krishna shifts between counsellor, teacher, and friend. This role adaptability underscores the importance of flexibility in our communication approach based on the audience's needs.
26. Confidence in Delivery: Krishna's words are conveyed with authority and confidence, reinforcing the message's potency. Speaking with confidence can greatly improve the reception of any message.
27. Being Present: Throughout their conversation, Krishna is entirely present, giving his full attention to Arjuna's concerns. This teaches us the value of being fully present in our interactions.
28. Encouraging Dialogue: Krishna encourages Arjuna to reflect and ask questions, fostering a dialogue rather than a monologue. This promotes mutual understanding and deeper connection.
29. Prioritising the Receiver’s Needs: Krishna's teachings are focused on Arjuna's well-being and realisation rather than showcasing his own wisdom. It emphasises the importance of prioritising the listener's needs in communication.
30. Using Analogies and Metaphors: Krishna often uses metaphors, such as the chariot analogy, to represent the body and the soul to simplify complex ideas. Analogies can be powerful tools in making abstract concepts more relatable.
31. Patience: Krishna patiently waits for Arjuna to process his emotions and confusion before diving deep into his teachings. This underscores the value of patience in any conversation.
32. Non-attachment to Outcomes: Krishna emphasises the importance of doing one's duty without attachment to results. In communication, it's vital to deliver the message without being overly attached to how it will be received.
33. Humility: Despite his divine status, Krishna doesn't assert superiority but converses as a guide and charioteer. This reflects the importance of humility in effective communication.
34. Value of Silence: Between the teachings, moments of silence allow Arjuna to reflect. Silence can be a powerful tool in communication, giving space for introspection and absorption.
35. Transparency: Krishna is transparent about the nature of life, duties, and the universe. Being transparent and honest enhances the credibility of a message.
36. Sequencing Information: Krishna provides information logically, from addressing Arjuna's immediate concerns to deeper philosophical teachings. Proper sequencing helps in better comprehension.
37. Positivity and Encouragement: Krishna consistently uplifts Arjuna, reminding him of his capabilities and strengths. Positive reinforcement can be a powerful motivator in communication.
38. Cultural and Social Awareness: Krishna’s teachings, while universal, are also rooted in the cultural and societal context of the time. Being culturally and socially aware can make communication more effective and relatable.
39. Ethical Communication: The Gita emphasises righteous action. In communication, it’s vital to be truthful, fair, and ethical, avoiding manipulative or deceptive tactics.
40. Seeking Feedback: Krishna frequently checks in with Arjuna to ensure he understands the teachings, highlighting the importance of seeking feedback for clarity.
41. Leading by Example: Krishna exemplifies the values and principles he teaches, giving credibility to his words. This demonstrates that our actions, more than our words, often communicate the most.
42. Personalising Messages: Krishna often refers to Arjuna's specific strengths, lineage, and experiences, making the teachings more personal and resonant. Personalised communication is more effective.
43. Maintaining Objectivity: Krishna explains the nature of reality and the universe without getting swayed by Arjuna’s emotional turmoil. Staying objective can be crucial, especially when discussing sensitive topics.
44. Understanding Emotions: Beyond words, Krishna addresses the underlying emotions Arjuna is grappling with. Recognising and addressing the emotional aspect of a conversation is as important as the content.
45. Acknowledging Differences: Krishna understands Arjuna’s perspective and doesn’t dismiss it but builds on it. Recognising and valuing differences in perspectives can enhance communication.
46. Relevance of Message: Krishna ensures that his teachings relate directly to Arjuna’s current situation and challenges. Ensuring relevance in our message can make communication more impactful.
47. Integrity in Words and Actions: Krishna emphasises the alignment of thought, word, and deed. When our words align with our actions, it lends authenticity to our communication.
48. Building on Prior Knowledge: Krishna references well-known scriptures, stories, and teachings to make his points, leveraging Arjuna’s existing knowledge. Using familiar concepts or analogies can make new ideas easier to grasp.
49. A Call to Action: The Gita culminates with a call to Arjuna to rise and perform his duty. Effective communication often ends with a clear call to action, guiding the listener on the next steps.
50. Balancing Logic and Emotion: Krishna employs both logical arguments and emotional appeals in his discourse, demonstrating that a balance of both can be more persuasive than relying solely on one.

Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, we learn that effective communication isn't just about transmitting information. It's about understanding, empathy, clarity, and inspiring action. Whether in personal interactions or leadership roles, these lessons have timeless relevance.