TOI, Patna 08.01.09

See yourself accurately

Instead of living with a false image of our self that is forced by external factors, we should create the conscious image based on our inner nature, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
All of us, either consciously or unconsciously, through the process of what we call life, create a certain image of ourselves. This image that we create within ourselves has nothing to do with the reality. It has nothing to do with the self, our inner nature.
Very few of us have built a conscious image of ourselves. Usually external situations decide the kind of images that we create of ourselves. Now, why don’t we create a new self-image consciously, or how we really want to be? If we are intelligent and aware, we can recast our image into a totally new image.
While this is possible, we should be willing to leave the old one. This is not pretension. Instead of acting unconsciously, we will now act consciously. We can create the kind of image which supports us best; the kind of image which creates maximum harmony around us; the kind of image which has least friction.
We can create an image which is closest to our inner nature. The inner nature is very silent, but very forceful. Now what we need to do is to eliminate the grosser elements within us, our anger and limitations. We need to create a new self-image, which is subtle but tremendously forceful. We should sit and think about it for the next one or two days and create a proper image for ourselves; what should be the fundamental nature of our thought and emotion. However, before we create something, we should examine if what we are creating now is better than what we have.
To create a new image we should: Avoid disturbances and distractions and sit comfortably. Close eyes and visualize how other people should experience us. Examine it in details and see if it is more human, more efficient, more loving.
Then visualize this new image as powerfully as possible. Make it alive within ourselves. If the thought and visualization is powerful enough, it can even break the bonds of karma. This is the opportunity to transcend all our limitations of thought, emotion and action.