Pulkit Sharma
Psychologists feel that what differentiates human beings from all other species is a strong, cohesive and complex sense of self that we derive from our lifelong narrative of experiences. We always want this self to appear marvellous, flawless, enviable and everlasting to us and to the world. Most people feel that this can be achieved by being admired, loved and valued unconditionally throughout their lives and even after they are gone. Therefore, they toil hard and put everything at stake to keep their grand narrative alive.
Although this sense of self encourages us in making our mark and therefore, can be seen as something that adds meaning to our life, it often turns out to be an albatross around our neck. Preoccupation with our self brings up intense anxieties around losing what we have, being outperformed by others, making mistakes, feeling vulnerable and devalued, and slipping into oblivion. Even when we do something good, the excitement is short-lived; self-critical ruminations hit back rather quickly. In order to appear valuable and perfect to the world, we seem to be making a huge sacrifice – forgetting who we are, what we really want and what we could become. No wonder, an unexplained and incalculable suffering torments us.
Chinese sage Chaung Tsu narrates the story of a huge, old oak tree that was declared worthless by a carpenter because its timber was of bad quality and anything made from it would break, rot or wither away. Subsequently in the story, the tree told the carpenter that it had turned useless on purpose because it wished to live a natural and happy life. Had its timber been useful it would have been cut into pieces, made into something else and have long been dead. The sage enlightens us that in trying to be valued, desirable and significant in the eyes of the world, we usually end up relinquishing our deeper essence and live artificially. Despite assuming a grandiose form, our life is then fraught with meaninglessness and misery.
We often complain that the world is too confining and yearn for liberation without realising that all the freedom is within us, waiting to be realised. More than anyone else, we oppress ourselves by steadfastly holding on to our sense of self. Remind yourself about the mystic Kabir who celebrated the breaking of his earthen pot. For him it meant emancipation from the daily chore of trudging far and filling the water. He alludes to the joy of renouncing the false sense of self. In this state of higher consciousness, we realise that the identity we have been holding on to is nothing but a figment of our imagination.
Those who wish to find themselves need to open up to this possibility, of the ‘pot’ breaking, that is, unlearning and letting go. When you lose yourself, you find a deeper Self – that is unified with the Divine. Then you realise that you are not just a tiny drop in the ocean but that you are the vast and immortal ocean itself.
You might be wondering how to start this expedition. It’s simple – hold on to the moments where you have briefly experienced your real vastness or comprehended your false smallness and aspire that this beautiful insight grows. Slowly, the real mystery will be unveiled, and you will be transformed.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India: The Speaking Tree: 11th May, 2019
Pulkit Sharma
Psychologists feel that what differentiates human beings from all other species is a strong, cohesive and complex sense of self that we derive from our lifelong narrative of experiences. We always want this self to appear marvellous, flawless, enviable and everlasting to us and to the world. Most people feel that this can be achieved by being admired, loved and valued unconditionally throughout their lives and even after they are gone. Therefore, they toil hard and put everything at stake to keep their grand narrative alive.
Although this sense of self encourages us in making our mark and therefore, can be seen as something that adds meaning to our life, it often turns out to be an albatross around our neck. Preoccupation with our self brings up intense anxieties around losing what we have, being outperformed by others, making mistakes, feeling vulnerable and devalued, and slipping into oblivion. Even when we do something good, the excitement is short-lived; self-critical ruminations hit back rather quickly. In order to appear valuable and perfect to the world, we seem to be making a huge sacrifice – forgetting who we are, what we really want and what we could become. No wonder, an unexplained and incalculable suffering torments us.
Chinese sage Chaung Tsu narrates the story of a huge, old oak tree that was declared worthless by a carpenter because its timber was of bad quality and anything made from it would break, rot or wither away. Subsequently in the story, the tree told the carpenter that it had turned useless on purpose because it wished to live a natural and happy life. Had its timber been useful it would have been cut into pieces, made into something else and have long been dead. The sage enlightens us that in trying to be valued, desirable and significant in the eyes of the world, we usually end up relinquishing our deeper essence and live artificially. Despite assuming a grandiose form, our life is then fraught with meaninglessness and misery.
We often complain that the world is too confining and yearn for liberation without realising that all the freedom is within us, waiting to be realised. More than anyone else, we oppress ourselves by steadfastly holding on to our sense of self. Remind yourself about the mystic Kabir who celebrated the breaking of his earthen pot. For him it meant emancipation from the daily chore of trudging far and filling the water. He alludes to the joy of renouncing the false sense of self. In this state of higher consciousness, we realise that the identity we have been holding on to is nothing but a figment of our imagination.
Those who wish to find themselves need to open up to this possibility, of the ‘pot’ breaking, that is, unlearning and letting go. When you lose yourself, you find a deeper Self – that is unified with the Divine. Then you realise that you are not just a tiny drop in the ocean but that you are the vast and immortal ocean itself.
You might be wondering how to start this expedition. It’s simple – hold on to the moments where you have briefly experienced your real vastness or comprehended your false smallness and aspire that this beautiful insight grows. Slowly, the real mystery will be unveiled, and you will be transformed.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India: The Speaking Tree: 11th May, 2019