Self Transformation
abracad, · Categories: externally authored, self helpBy : Lt Col RK Langar
Self transformation means changing ourselves from our present state of existence to a higher state. It is based on the assumption that all men are not perfect at birth but can become so with self-effort. Self transformation presupposes that there is something in a person, which needs to be changed for the better. Bhagavad Gita says that all undertakings have some defect like smoke in fire. Similarly all human beings have some negative traits, which need to be transformed. It is a different matter that some people realize it while other do not.. In larger sense self transformation would mean turning negative emotions like anger, lust, ego, deceit and falsehood into positive emotions like truth, compassion, peace, forgiveness humility simplicity and the like. Self transformation aims at converting vices into virtues and demerits into merits. It is like going form darkness into light leading one to live purposefully. Self transformation means working on one’s own self for self-upliftment.
Change of Heart – In spiritual language transformation implies change of heart, not the physical heart but the conceptual centre in our being. from where positive emotions like love, compassion, sympathy forgiveness, truthfulness, and nonviolence peace and righteousness are radiated. It is rightly said that one beautiful heart is better man thousand beautiful faces. The innermost part of human personality, the core of human being, the self or the consciousness is ever pure. But at our ordinary state of existence the pure consciousness within is covered with psychological distortions, which mostly constitute our negative instincts. So change of heart will mean change of our negativity into positivity leading to a behavioral pattern of the individual corresponding to higher values of life.
Self transformation is fighting self battle of life – Generally we are concerned with fighting the outer battle of life where one has to tackle day-to-day problems of worldly existence. But the main battle of life is not outer, it is the self battle where one has to identify self weaknesses and eliminate them through the process of discrimination. This requires each one of us to set aside some time from our daily routine to look within to find out where we stand in terms of our merits and demerits. This process is called self-examination, self study or self introspection One of the Greek philosophers tells us that an unexamined life is not worth living. Having found our strengths and weaknesses, we should enlarge our strengths to weaken our weaknesses. With constant vigil, concentration and practice we get into the process of removing our bad habits and undesirable tendencies which in us automatically strengths our positive traits. It is no good knowing what is good but it is practicing goodness or as they say living goodness that really transforms life. While we are engaged in the selfbattle of life we have to keep a check over our thoughts and sentiments so that our outer actions do not cause any impurity within. Self awareness tells us what we are and how can we uplift ourselves to a higher state.
Aids for self transformation – We should make use of aids available to us for our self transformation. Our scriptures and perfect guide, which can elevate our level of existence. Then we can study the lives of great men and our sages and draw lessons out of them. We can choose our role model, which could be a scripture or a human being, and follow the role model in thoughts, words and deeds. We need an open mind to accept what our role model tells us. Open mind means that we are not coloured by our own views. Bhagavad Gita, which by itself is a perfect role model for self evolution, says that let the scriptures be your authority in ascertaining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Having known what has been prescribed by the scriptures, you should act in this matter. According to Christianity God has already planned the process of human transformation and for this purpose God sent His son Jesus Christ to show us the way to God. Jesus had said ‘Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect’. Islam says God has given man a code of conduct, the right path that frees mankind from all ills and makes life worth living. Koran declares about itself ‘Here is the book where there is no trace of doubt’.
Our goal and aim – Aim of each and every religion is to make us a spiritual person anchored fully on a sound moral base. Indian spiritual tradition says that self-realization is the goal of human life. When understood correctly religion is the highest motive power, which is capable of injecting higher values of life into us. Sri Aurobindo says that those who chose God are chosen by God and therefore we should not miss any opportunity to seek God through our religion. With God on our side self transformation becomes easy. Transformation of whole man is not isolation of immortal spirit from mortal human life but it is transformation of whole man. When there is self transformation then man realises that all problems are inside him and also the solutions to all problems are also inside. Self transformation is a slow process but no effort is wasted. You may be born ordinary in your own eyes but you are not ordinary since you are divine at the core of your personality. Therefore do not end life as an ordinary person. Build up your personality. Be not small minded, egoistic and nasty. Accommodate others contribute towards the well being of others.
Col RK Langar 0 99101 59776
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Filed in: externally authored, self help
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