The Bhagavad Gita Teachings for Promoting Resilience and Optimism Among School Children:A Narrative Overview

The objective of this paper is to present a narrative overview of research work done on the Bhagavad Gita and explore the possibility of using specific teachings of the Gita for promoting resilience and optimism among school children. Though Indians have used the teachings of the Gita to guide them through life since the ancient times, very little scientific research has been done in the area. The teachings have been of immense value to people in different time periods and few question the credibility of the knowledge contained therein. What is needed, however, is the scientific validation of the effects of the teachings in different social groups. There is an urgent need for revisiting the ancient teachings. More so, because we must offer the right kind of mental conditioning for school children, who are facing increasing behavioural and mental health issues, some of which may be borne out of a lack of resilience and optimism. Because very little scientific research has been attempted in the area, the methods used for this study included a review of translations and commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita by different authors along with research journal articles. A review of about a forty researches show that there are immense possibilities in the area. Positive outcomes in most researches conducted, show that the teachings of Gita may provide conditioning 'mantras' that will help build optimism and resilience in school students. This paper makes suggestions for further research and inclusion of specific teaching interventions for school children.