Bhagavad Gita teaches us how to give up bad habit in an effective way. The holy books say it is by developing higher taste – paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate
viṣayā vinivartante
nirāhārasya dehinaḥ
rasa-varjaṁ raso ’py asya
paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate
Though the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.
Let us see how to apply it in life.
Do not focus on the bad habit which you want to give up
For example, if you have the habit of smoking cigarette daily then do not continuously think about giving up smoking. If you keep on thinking about giving up smoking, cursing yourself for this bad habit, then it means that your mind will be always flooded with the thoughts of smoking. And then your mind will force you to again smoke and you will end up smoking.
Similarly, if you have a habit of wasting time on internet watching movies then do not keep on thinking about giving up watching internet.
Solution
So, what is the Solution?
Cultivate higher taste:
But what does it mean? It means to choose a better alternative. For that you will have to set a goal in your life. Like, growing in your job or if you are a student then how to gain expertise in a subject which you like the most. And focus on that.
If you focus on these positive things, then automatically lower thoughts like smoking or wasting time on internet won’t trouble you.
Spiritualise your mind
Also, make a routine to read 5 verses of Bhagavad Gita daily. It won’t take more than 15 minutes. And chant one round of Hare Krishna Mahamantra which takes around 6-7 minutes.
Bhagavad Gita wisdom will enlighten you; chanting will purify your thoughts.
And all these steps will eventually help you to give up the bad habit which is making you unhappy daily.
