Complicated, clustered, burdened, lost. These and many more similar words fly around in our lives almost everyday. These words somehow manage to touch each and every aspect of our lives; affecting personal as well as professional fronts. The constancy with which these "emotions" appear in our lives is sometimes outright scary. However there are certain counteroffensive measures that can be used every time these emotions threaten to destroy the peace of our minds.
Humility
Perhaps the most underrated and overstated of emotion, which a human being can possess. In almost all religions humility is considered as a virtue. In fact in Hinduism it is considered as the foremost trait of a saint. What is so powerful about this emotion that even Gods' are attracted to it? Humility is submission to the fact that I am flawed. This acknowledgement immediately punctures the balloon called "ego". The second that balloon gets deflated I have relieved a great burden from myself. I am free to learn again. Surprisingly I find ego as an emotion that I develop for others' sake within me! It is a service I am doing for others and not for my benefit; like a magician who conjures up an illusion for others. I want the world to look at me through this looking glass of ego and believe I am this illusion. Rather than arduously spending energy and time for others I would be better off living in truth of the moment. Maybe that's what actors refer to when they achieve the aim of "being in the moment". Away from all distractions and prejudices.
Surrender
I have a fear of losing; most of us share this sentiment. Perhaps the odds are in favour of losing. Life seems to be a perpetual battle against a likely loss! So should I surrender? Yes, I should; it's the best way to continue to live! While trying to avert a likely loss I try to come up with defenses which are unreal. I built up ego, plotted schemes and tried every other defense mechanism that would help me to play not to lose. I have to surrender these defense tactics; relinquish these and try offensive. I have to surrender to the zillions of year old fact that loss is a likely outcome. But there is a slight difference between playing to not lose versus playing to win. Recently Mike Horn helped the Indian cricket team to prepare for the cricket World Cup finals. I quote the following from his talks:
"The fear to lose," Horn says, is the single biggest fear sportsmen have. "How can you win if you afraid of losing? It is only when your will to win is bigger than your fear to lose that you can win. This is the most important aspect that differentiates sport stars. Some play to win and some play because they are afraid of losing. This is no different to what people fear in their daily life."
Surrender to the fact that loss is likely, surrender your false ego, hopes, what-ifs' and be humble about your strengths to understand your true-self. I already feel lighter!
Humility
Perhaps the most underrated and overstated of emotion, which a human being can possess. In almost all religions humility is considered as a virtue. In fact in Hinduism it is considered as the foremost trait of a saint. What is so powerful about this emotion that even Gods' are attracted to it? Humility is submission to the fact that I am flawed. This acknowledgement immediately punctures the balloon called "ego". The second that balloon gets deflated I have relieved a great burden from myself. I am free to learn again. Surprisingly I find ego as an emotion that I develop for others' sake within me! It is a service I am doing for others and not for my benefit; like a magician who conjures up an illusion for others. I want the world to look at me through this looking glass of ego and believe I am this illusion. Rather than arduously spending energy and time for others I would be better off living in truth of the moment. Maybe that's what actors refer to when they achieve the aim of "being in the moment". Away from all distractions and prejudices.
Surrender
I have a fear of losing; most of us share this sentiment. Perhaps the odds are in favour of losing. Life seems to be a perpetual battle against a likely loss! So should I surrender? Yes, I should; it's the best way to continue to live! While trying to avert a likely loss I try to come up with defenses which are unreal. I built up ego, plotted schemes and tried every other defense mechanism that would help me to play not to lose. I have to surrender these defense tactics; relinquish these and try offensive. I have to surrender to the zillions of year old fact that loss is a likely outcome. But there is a slight difference between playing to not lose versus playing to win. Recently Mike Horn helped the Indian cricket team to prepare for the cricket World Cup finals. I quote the following from his talks:
"The fear to lose," Horn says, is the single biggest fear sportsmen have. "How can you win if you afraid of losing? It is only when your will to win is bigger than your fear to lose that you can win. This is the most important aspect that differentiates sport stars. Some play to win and some play because they are afraid of losing. This is no different to what people fear in their daily life."
Surrender to the fact that loss is likely, surrender your false ego, hopes, what-ifs' and be humble about your strengths to understand your true-self. I already feel lighter!
thanks, nice post
ReplyDeleteNamaste
Thank Jennifer. Namaste to you too.
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