Life

The movie 'Life of Pi' is an illustration of the human need for purpose. When Pi reached the coast ,he was heartbroken to see the tiger he took care of, go into the forest without looking back at the person because of whom he survived. Later on, he realized that he was alive because of the tiger.

Our lives on this Earth are Ego-dependent. We thrive due to a purpose/something to correct/ a vision to manifest/a desire /something to attain/attachment. The lack of these may make us crazy because we are very intelligent. 

Not the achievement, but the process of attainment makes us manifest our divinity, experience the flow state and discover our capabilities. It creates a space for expansion. 

A life in which everything is provided for, nothing needs to be done and there is no wanting is not a life on Earth.

We have come here with the acceptance of the reality of contrast and that we have the wherewithal to survive and come out even more able than when we entered. We have come to play in this game /dream /vacation knowing that we are immortal and one with the infinite. This knowing and connection with Source is the secret of faith and true power. 

The Ego is just a necessary tool for survival, it is a part of the game. 

Spirituality helps in realizing the gap between the Being and the Ego. All of it is done by being truly present in the present. The key is to be and not control so much. To receive while being present and not to judge. Our job is to enjoy the ride while we are on it. We came for it. 

Analyzing, complaining, criticizing, judging, etc. are unconscious behaviors. Use the Ego to better your life but know that you are using it, so that it doesn't use you. Use it to live a better life, the way you want it. Get it because you can but always know that the real end is not the the goal. 

The end is the present. The end is life. The present is life. 

How important is it for you to live according to a society while living in it?

Society or more specifically, civil society is a summation of many families. According to Aristotle, a family is the smallest and a primary unit of any society. 

Stability and safety in a civilization is based on it's norms and ethos. These are developed through centuries of societal experiences. Their aim is to promote, law and order, justice, peace and continuity. 

Thus, the civil society, a non - State actor was prior to the State and created it as it's limb of enforcement.

The State always serves the civil society and works for it’s benefit.

Aristotle also said that a human being is a social animal. Our survival is dependent on interdependence.  Not living according to the society is against our instinct of self preservation. Not considering what is appropriate in our society while living in it shows lack of regard for it and lack of understanding about the society. Such behaviour might disturb others. 

However, J.S.Mill, a classical liberal , in his book ‘On Liberty’ ,1859 emphasised the importance of personal freedoms. According to him even if one man’s views are different from the entire society, his view’s must get due consideration, as only this will guarantee progress, freedom of thought and expression and true democracy. 

 

He also said that all actions can be divided into two categories, self regarding actions and other regarding actions. Self regarding actions are those that only affect the agent. Self regarding actions must not be regulated (unless the agent is unreasonable due to insanity, intoxication, etc.)  unlike other - regarding actions. 

His critics argue that many a times self regarding actions can affect the society indirectly. To this, his defense  is that the society can influence the actor through persuasion but not through coercion. Similarly, his insistence on democratic dialogue ensures that the society continuously goes through a process of analysing itself and thus progressing. 

Interdependence is natural to all organisms and hence, living according to the society is essential for survival. Acting in defiance of social ethos is like self destruction. However, this does not mean that there is no hope for a dissenting opinion. Freedom of speech and expression can be used to influence the society by starting an authentic, peaceful and democratic dialogue or debate.

However, this can best be achieved in a society that is spiritually mature as then, people will keep their egos aside, do self introspection and budge from their stand if they are convinced and actually listen to what is being conveyed instead of already always listening. 

Self- rule or swarajya is the key to social development.

Love and insecurity

Love is such a profound emotion. It creates belongingness, security, affection and intimacy. Love provides a non- judgmental space for vulnerability and this space allows the flowering of human personality.

Apprehension, convoluted thinking and insecurity are all created by the ego-mind. It creates false scenarios due to it's rejection of the present moment.

The ego is happy when the present serves it but creates the same level of unhappiness when the present is not as it wishes it to be. Realization of this conflict allows the light of the soul to fall upon the mess created by the ego. This light cleans it all up. It purifies whatever it falls on.

Whatever we think we are and whatever we believe we have, came from nothingness and will go back into nothingness. The everchanging nature of life makes people say that life is harsh. Life is not inherently harsh. It is harsh to the ego because it desires, longs for, possesses and gets attached.

Just being in the present moment with total acceptance, wherein the ego is not at play , leaves us more powerful than the ego. Why? Because then, we are free as we don't need things to change. 

Overpowering of the ego by the soul through the light of consciousness makes us inspired, peaceful and resilient. The soul does not create fear, insecurity or other negative emotions. It is pure love and acceptance. It transforms whatever comes in contact with it.

How to feel better when you're feeling low?

We all can be happy and vivacious if we are truly ourselves. However, due to the way the society is made and due to our socialization, sometimes, we get lost, feel no motivation and wonder about the purpose of our lives. We come out of this and then again go back into it.

Each one of us has what it takes to make a positive difference if we take responsibility of how we feel. So, I came up with a few ways to sail over rough tides.

Note- Journalling is fantastic and can be used with each of these methods!

1. Acknowledge and meet your needs. 

We are unsatisfied if our needs are not met.  We learn to act as if all is okay, instead of meeting these needs. We cannot not have needs. Please go through Maslow's hierarchy if needs or google 'human needs'.We must understand that we deserve to have them as our birth right and we deserve to have them met. For example, allow yourself to drink hot chocolate when you're feeling low, if that makes you feel  better. Also, along with needs we all also have the potential to meet them. Self growth is all about increasing this power.

We must find ways to meet these needs directly. If we don't, our egos will create drama and meet them indirectly. Thus,  let's be bold enough to be vulnerable enough to directly request people to meet them. People will meet them because we all have a need to meet other's needs.

2. See challenges as opportunities.

Challenges make us realize our capabilities. They make us humble and teach us sportsman spirit. They shine you diamonds.

3. Take care of your mind. 

I have been meditating upon waking up and before sleeping at night for15 minutes each by using a preset timer of 16 minutes. This has been helping me tremendously.

While sleeping at night, I take my attention to feeling my body from the inside. This involves paying attention to my breathing , heartbeats and other sensations. This has been helping me to understand and calm myself better as I can be at the interface of the being and the body.

Other ways are healthful sleep, recitation of mantras,  practicing mindfulness and regular physical exercise.

4. Trust the universe. 

Being a rational person, this was difficult for me to learn but easier to follow through because it is a mindset shift. It means believing that things happen because of a reason, looking back, the dots will connect seamlessly and that the universe had planned the sequence of events better than you have imagined. 

5. Be real in your communication.

If your feelings are not communicated , the relationship feels incomplete. It is better to confront or confess as soon as possible because a time lapse allows the ego to create drama.

Honesty prevents stress. However, first be honest to yourself. Take time to feel your emotions by just sitting with them. Although this process is more difficult than distracting yourself,  it is the most transformative spiritual practice. Not allowing yourself to feel your emotions prevents you from living the purpose of your birth.

6. Be in the present moment. 

Be mindful of the present and focus on one task at a time.  Be aware of all your senses at every moment. This way you'll not be on auto pilot but have do activities rationally and mindfully. Multitasking is unproductive,  stressful and does not foster creativity.   

7. Look for things to appreciate.

Appreciation is your true nature. It's vibration is higher than that of gratitude.

You will invest in your body, education, career,  house, family and friends only if you see value in them in the first place.

If something has to be improved, one must first believe that it has the potential of improving and the potential to positively benefit one upon improving.

8. Socialize

This is a legit. need. Talk about your feelings. Communicate freely with people. You'll know more about yourself and the world. 

9. Feed yourself well.

Improve your diet and make sure you get enough breathing exercises through pranayam/physical exercises. 

Feed your mind with inspiring and uplifting content. Happiness is not meant only for vacations. You'll be happy on vacations if your happy on your job, because happiness is a state of mind.

I discovered and learnt these methods as I coped with emotional and physical trauma.

I am not in my best emotional state right now and I've seen these work like magic.

The deeper the lows the more you'll value the highs, I assure you that. 