Reflections

1.  Trio

When I am caught up with the inner trio of my judge, victim and guardian voices, all I receive from the world are judgements and retributions; and I get busy to defend myself.

Where, then, is the possibility for me to listen to the other's concern? How, then, will I receive the other from where they are?

2. The trigger for my heroic potential

I have the possibility of bringing out the Heroic Potential in me, When I am alive to the impact that my world has on me. When I am numb to these realities, my actions become sterile, bereft of the source of my inner energy!

3. Naivity and Reactivity in the Bhima Space

One aspect of not in touch with Bhima propensity is that I enter a context naive, without an assessment of the context; and possibly feel lost unable to act meaningfully in the context.

When this element of the Bhima in me is over active, I am too caught up with the threats in the context that I receive everything that I encounter as a threat. Thus I get defensive, reactive.

When I deploy the Heroic Potential of this aspect of Bhima in me, I assess and have a true measure of the context. Thus, I invest in my skills and prepare sufficiently  to engage with the context.

4. Thirukkural inspired

பொருட்பால் - நட்பியல்
(Investigation in forming Friendship - நட்பாராய்தல்)
அதிகாரம் 80குறள் : 795
அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து வழக்கறிய
வல்லார்நட்பு ஆய்ந்து கொளல்
{Azhachcholli Alladhu Itiththu Vazhakkariya
Vallaarnatapu Aaindhu Kolal}

கலைஞர் உரை :
தவறு செய்கின்றவர் கண்ணீர் விடுமளவுக்குக் கண்டித்து, அறிவுரை வழங்கக் கூடிய ஆற்றலுடையவரின் நட்பையே தெளிவான நட்பாக எண்ண வேண்டும்.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா உரை :
நாம் தவறு செய்ய எண்ணினால் நம் மனம் நோகச் சொல்லியும் செய்து விட்டால் கண்டித்தும், உலக வழக்கினை அறிந்து செய்யும் ஆற்றலைப் பெற்றும் உள்ளவரை அறிந்து அவர் நட்பைக் கொள்க.

Explanation :
You should examine and secure the friendship of those who can speak so as to make you weep over a crime (before its commission) or rebuke you severely (after you have done it) and are able to teach you (the ways of) the world.

My reflection of this Thirukkural:
The strength of friendship with the other is indicated by my ability to receive and hold the expressions of bhibhatsam and roudram of the other on my actions in the world, without I getting reactive to these expressions.

5. Power to the world
The world has an amazing pair of instruments to control me - Reward and Punishment - Offering me Sukam and Dukham.
Wait! What the world has is only the remote. The instrument is in me only!

6. Heroes surround Heroes
When I am driven by self aggrandizement, I become blind to the heroic potential of people around me. When my actions arise from my deep commitment to the people in my context, I see the Hero in everyone surrounding me.

7. Different kinds of practice
Practice is of different kinds.

If we take a sports example, playing a friendly match is one. Doing net practice is another. Tuning the body to be prepared is a different set. Tuning the mind to be in shantam to face the immense pressure to hold the aspirations of the millions is altogether in a different plane.

The first two are clear and straight.

The third and fourth are foundational ones, and are inherent in any wisdom traditions - performing arts, martial arts, crafts, architecture etc. These practices are often very simple ones (eg akaara saadhagam), but the effects of these on one's performance is deep.

The links of these to the performance of the craft is often subtle, and may not be very direct. Only the masters in the craft realize this.

The last of the practice in the list above is not for everyone, but only for those who take on leadership locations in a community/ context.

8. Practice as the only way to Real Learning
Knowing is of two types. One is intellectual understanding, and the other is experientially feeling. Practice is the only way for the latter.

Understanding through reading and listening are important - they are, at best, an articulation of an experience; but are never the reality itself.

The reality represented by words needs exploration through "Practice". Real Learning happens in the Body.

9. First step in my heroic journey
My first step in my heroic journey is to be aware of my propensities and value myself as I am, with all my hues and shades as they are. Consistent and disciplined engagement with a regular Practice that cultivates Shantam (Equanimity) is essential in my ability to observe myself without getting caught with my defence mechanisms.

10. The state of my inner space
(A whatsapp forward)
We don’t live in bungalows, duplexes or flats. We live in our minds. 
Yes, that’s our permanent residence. And there are no constraints of square-feet there. It’s a vast space with unlimited area. And you know what! No matter how well-organized your rooms, balconies, garages and verandas are, life is good only when things are sorted there – in your mind.
And that’s where we keep things messy – regrets piling up in one corner, expectations stuffed in a closet, secrets under the carpet, worries littered everywhere, comparisons spilt on the table, complexes leaking from an old bottle, and grudges stinking in a box.
Be aware. For this ‘real home’ of yours, you can’t outsource housekeeping. You got to do it yourself.

My reflection on this post:
For, its me who has made it to be this way!

By habit, the thought arises, "What a mess I am?"... And alas, that's another dirt adding to the "Regrets" corner!

Do I know how to deal with this?