Monthly Archives: March 2024

“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” Oprah Winfrey

Kabir – The couplet
“काहू काही समुझावत, रे काहू काही समुझै।
सार श्रृंगार दोऊ की जानत, सार श्रृंगार में जाई॥”

Transliterated
“Kaahu kaahi samajhaavat, re kaahu kaahi samujhai |
Saar sringaar dou ki jaanat, saar sringaar mein jaai ||”

Translated
“Who’s persuading whom, and who’s understanding whom?
Only the true lovers know the essence of love, entering into its depths.”

My Understanding
Kabir’s beautiful doha taps into the very heart of what love and understanding mean. It suggests that the labels and roles society gives us are meaningless when it comes to finding true connection. To really know and cherish someone, we need to look beyond the surface and embrace what lies beneath. It’s about diving into the depths of a person’s soul, understanding their hopes, fears, and authentic self.

Oprah’s wise words highlight how important integrity is, especially when no one is watching. It’s easy to be good when others are around, but true character shows up when we think no one is looking. Doing what’s right because it’s the right thing to do, not for applause or recognition, now that’s integrity. And that kind of authenticity is what builds lasting relationships and a life of true fulfillment.

These two messages come together to remind us that real relationships and meaningful actions require us to go deeper. We need to move beyond the facades we put on for the world and embody understanding, integrity, and genuine connection in all we do. Because when we do that, we create a life and relationships that are rich with love, trust, and fulfillment.

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Carl Jung (Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst)

Kabir – The couplet
दोस पराए देखि करि, चला हसन्त हसन्त |
अपने याद न आवई, जिनका आदि न अंत ||

Transliterated
Dos parae dekhi kari, chala hasant hasant |
Apne yaad na aavai, jinka aadi na ant ||

Translation
Looking at the mistakes of others, we keep laughing|
Our own faults are never remembered, they are lost from memory||

My understanding
Carl Jung’s quote above resonates with Kabir’s doha. It highlights the importance of introspection when we criticize or become irritated by others. It suggests that our reactions to others serve as mirrors reflecting our own issues or traits that we have yet to acknowledge or fully understand. Like Kabir, Jung encourages us to use our observations of others as opportunities for self-growth and increased self-awareness rather than as moments for judgment or derision.

It is a common human tendency to notice and laugh at the mistakes of others, while often being oblivious to one’s own flaws. The lines suggest that while it’s easy to see and mock the errors of others, people rarely reflect on their own faults, which, like those of others, have no beginning or end, implying they are numerous and continuous.

Kabir’s message is a call to humility and self-improvement, urging us to remember that everyone has flaws, and rather than ridiculing others for theirs, we should focus on correcting our own. This is a reflection on the human condition and a lesson on the virtues of patience, understanding, and compassion in our interactions with others. Kabir, through his poetic simplicity, teaches the importance of introspection in the journey toward spiritual and personal growth.

Achieving introspection amidst the rush of modern life requires intentional effort and practice. It involves cultivating habits that allow one to pause, reflect, and engage with one’s inner self. Here are some strategies to make time for introspection:

Set Aside Dedicated Time

• Schedule Quiet Time: Just as you would for any important appointment, schedule a regular time for introspection. Early mornings or late evenings are often quieter times when you can be alone with your thoughts.
• Meditation and Mindfulness: Practice meditation or mindfulness for a few minutes daily. These practices can help center your thoughts and make you more aware of your mental and emotional states.

Use Daily Activities as Opportunities for Reflection

• Mindful Walking: Turn routine activities like walking into opportunities for reflection. Focus on your surroundings and your inner feelings rather than letting your mind wander to daily worries.
• Journaling: Keep a journal to write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and understanding your personal growth over time.

Technology and Apps

• Digital Detoxes: Periodically disconnect from electronic devices to avoid constant distractions and create space for deeper thinking.
• Use Apps Wisely: There are apps designed to remind you to take moments for gratitude, meditation, or simply breathing exercises throughout your day.

Seek Solitude

• Find Quiet Spaces: Sometimes, the best way to introspect is to remove yourself from noise and distractions physically. Quiet spaces like parks, libraries, or even a secluded spot in your home can provide the perfect setting for reflection.
• Solo Activities: Engage in solo activities that allow you to be with your thoughts, such as reading, painting, or gardening.

Engage in Conversations and Experiences that Challenge You

• Deep Conversations: Have meaningful conversations with friends or mentors that challenge your perspectives and encourage you to think deeply about your beliefs, actions, and goals.
• New Experiences: Step out of your comfort zone by trying new activities or learning new skills. Reflect on these experiences and what they teach you about yourself.

Set Goals for Personal Development

• Reflect on Goals Regularly: Set personal development goals and regularly reflect on your progress towards these goals. This can be a form of introspection that leads to actionable insights.
• Feedback and Reflection: Seek feedback from others and use it as a basis for self-reflection. Understanding how others perceive you can provide valuable insights for personal growth.

Incorporating introspection into your daily life doesn’t require large blocks of time; rather, it’s about making the most of the moments you have and being intentional about seeking understanding and growth.

“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” – Steve Jobs

Kabir – The couplet

“साधना बिनु सब सूना, साधना सब काज।
साधना बिनु सुधि ना होई, साधना सब राज॥”

Transliterated:

“Saadhana binu sab soona, saadhana sab kaaj।
Saadhana binu sudhi naa hoi, saadhana sab raaj॥”

Translation:

“Without simplicity, all is hollow; simplicity is the essence of all deeds |
Without simplicity, there’s no wisdom; simplicity is the ultimate truth ||

My Understanding

The human brain is geared to complexity and most humans tend to allow thoughts to stray and float away – on tangential threads. Cognitive bias (an example is confirmation bias, where one has the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypotheses), emotional influence (stress, anxiety, excitement, or even boredom can lead to wandering thoughts as the brain seeks to process and cope with emotional stimuli), neurobiology (dopamine levels?), environmental factors (e.g.: noise, distractions, or interruptions), lack of mindfulness or attention control – all are factors leading to this straying of thought.

While these factors contribute to the tendency of the human brain to create complexity where none exists, they also underscore the richness and flexibility of human cognition, allowing for creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability in various situations.

The trick is to train ourselves to focus on the core task at hand, and train all tangential threads to either contribute to the core by bringing them back to the central point, or teaching ourselves to immediately discard them rather than allow them to drag us further away. When we do this, all of a sudden, the mind finds clarity of both purpose and process, and finds goals to be easier to achieve. And this, I believe, lies at the heart of all success stories – simplicity and focus.