Focus on just two facets of daily living: (i) don't hold yourself back and (ii) let go...
Hi Friends,
Hi Friends,
I keep writing on how to move towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS giving examples from day to day life. You will find many more examples in my book, ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? Yet, it will be helpful if I narrow down the theme to just the two important elements that I have mentioned at the head of this post.
I have written about denial, acceptance, resistance, undue attachment, distraction, ego and many more aspects of human existence. I have also written how resistance within prevents us from taking the plunge into new life, even though mentally we may appreciate the simple logic of the new paradigm that I write about. We refuse to look within and, instead, we lead a life of falsehood.
If we look closely, it is possible to narrow down the difficulty faced by us to two elements:
(i) we keep holding ourselves back
(ii) we don't let go
Holding ourselves back is due to internal resistance. We cling to familiar things for comfort, even if we realise that the known territory is really not leading to any lasting joy or happiness.
We have so many examples of holding ourselves back. In my last post I wrote about our resistance against simple participation in the fun and frolic of the Indian festival, Holi.
There can be more serious examples. How many times do we hold ourselves back from doing something worthwhile or close to our heart due to pressures from society, family, friends? This happens all the time, and the worst sufferers are women. In a male dominated society, women mostly have to fall in line with what society prescribes as 'correct'.
Every time we restrain ourselves, we move away from spirit; and every time we let go, we rise in spirit. We have got used to living within boundaries, structures and constraints.
Now, I can well sense the alarm that this premise could cause among readers. What about order in society? What about the reckless behaviour of criminals and other fringe elements who can be disruptive to society? What about common courtesies? Are we going to scream and shout at others at will?
The answers to all these questions are found in two more aspects of human behaviour: ego and inauthenticity.
It is the ego that prompts us to do terrible things. So next time you wish to let go and yet wonder whether what you are about to do is proper or not, question whether the ego has come into play. If your action is devoid of ego, there is very little chance that you would do something that might be considered terrible or cause hurt to others.
I have written a lot about inauthenticity - how we do not acknowledge the basic unhappiness within and often take it out on others. This is often as big a cause as ego for humankind bringing misery to fellow humans.
Finally, our value system is a good guide to steer us in our journey. But be careful. A lot of oppression takes place, especially of women, in the name of value system!
One thing I can state with certainty: the more you are in touch with your being, the closer you move to spirit, your actions will always be in harmony with human existence.
Cheers!
Deepak Chatterjee
One thing I can state with certainty: the more you are in touch with your being, the closer you move to spirit, your actions will always be in harmony with human existence.
Cheers!
Deepak Chatterjee
chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944
@Deepak33C
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A very good post. I fully agree with you that if ego does not come into play in our action, our action will not do harm to others.As regard the value system, it keeps on changing with time. Certain values in Indian societies with regard to women some hundred year back is now considered an oppression on women. Similarly many values which were very dear to Indian culture in the past like family bondage, respect to elders, adherence to the path of truth, are fast disappearing from our societies under the impact of crash commercialisation often making many people confused and directionless.
ReplyDeleteAny value system evolves and has to be relevant to the times. Some core values are timeless...
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