Who am I? This is the question
that circulates everyone’s though at some point of time, is like a complex
puzzle that has no instant solution as such but on deeper analysis put forward
thousand questions before us. And the quest to seek answers to all these
questions certainly creates the attitude not to seek answers but to develop
(which is very difficult to practice) the sense of observation or mindfulness
for every passing thought and action. And through this mindfulness peel off the
various layers of the self and in the process discover the greater cause to
give your life to.
As explained there are six layers
of self and the attainment of the virtue of self leadership comes through
understanding all these layers.
The five senses acts as the first
layer through which we interact with the world. It is through these that we let
any external stimuli to affect us. And to undertake this journey of self
realisation to attain self leadership one should first and foremost be aware of
all the five senses of one’s. Osho used to say that the first step to reach the
state of enlightenment is to go to Las Vegas and be aware of one’s own sense
(not in literal sense). For example lets say if we open our senses to the
plight and suffering of majority of Indians living in abject poverty, (instead
of closing our senses by living in our own cocoon) then we initiate the process
of self discovery through greater cause that will further guide our own life.
This can be said to create a level of awareness
As we encounter any external
stimuli there comes from within this instinctive reaction which forms the
second layer. The reactive part doesn’t take the whole circumstances into
consideration and forces one to react and not respond. For example there is a
certain tendency to be reactive when one sees the condition of poverty ridden
households by blaming on the head of those households, or on government
indifference or less money for social sector program. If one is aware of these
instinctive reaction one will certainly try to observe these reactions and
after that process try to own up one’s own responsibility to make some
difference to those households.
Then comes the third layer of
Emotion, the mind, the level of empathy or care. On this level taking the same example after owning the
responsibility individual starts creating the bonding of care, love and empathy
with the needy one’s but if one stops at this level of self awareness the love
transmutes itself into frustration and indifference as if what the hell I can
do by just caring for those needy ones and not making any practical difference
in their lives.
Then comes the layer of intellect
where one starts exploring the various ways (may be the technical aspect, ideas
or certain ways to align the love and compassion with the practical
application) to bring about the desired difference to the lives of needy one’s by
keeping in mind our own limitations and constrains. But even if one stops at
this level there is a probability that one will develop this ego within that oh
see what a great person I have become by helping the poor.
Then comes the layer of ego,
values and sustainability that will keep oneself humble enough, not getting
carried away by the achievements and keep oneself from the state of complacency
and carry on with the work one is doing without expecting the results. And also
one will seek a sort of sustainable solution in terms of structural
intervention that will keep the good work for needy individuals going.
And finally on this path of self
realisation and the quest to know who am i, one will certainly understand that
the level of a being just starts with the senses, then one’s instinct, then
empathy, then intellect, then ego and at the core of a being is this life
giving force that observes all these layers and its response or reaction.
And once all these layers are
aligned one will not only be at peace with oneself but also can balance one’s
aspiration and higher cause with a set of action.
Like every layer has sub layers
so once we peel off the first layer of creating awareness one discovers the
power and importance of various mediums, one being eyes not only to see and
view but to communicate one’s own emotion through that medium.
Also one can be more self aware
if one develops this practice of listening by totally surrendering one’s own
prejudices and letting the communicator peruse through oneself than other way
around. Though it is easier said than done but at least this willingness to be
a good listener will certainly help oneself to develop this art of listening by
practice and by being aware of different levels of self.
And finally the power of touch through
which we can create a bonding at superficial level but also if practiced with
pure heart can transfer energy and positive vibe to the benefit of others as
well as oneself.
So on ending note the power of
self leadership comes from understanding different layers of our own self and
keeping oneself fully in present (though it is easier said than done)
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