Today is the age of self improvement and self-to-do acts by which we improve ourselves. We have the pop culture screaming tips for self improvement. There are thousands of little pamphlets, literature, books, websites which teach self improvement. We are taught to improve ourselves physically, mentally, financially, our sex life, work life etc. Every topic under the sun is discussed and we are taught how to improve ourselves. Rarely anyone talks about self transformation. Self improvement makes changes in our lives but we are still in stress and not happy. There is something essentially lacking in self improvement. That is why we need to go for self transformation.
We all begin with small changes in our lives – self improvement. We make changes in our habits which enables us to eat the right foods suitable for us and exercise in a better way which leads to improved health. We learn tips and tricks to have better retention – mnemonics. We attend music and other classes which keep us entertained or help to hone our existing skills. We go for short courses which improve our selling abilities and marketing techniques. We study newer and better methods which enable us to enhance our income, get a second and third income too. All of us love self improvement and are at it in some way or other. Yet it does not keep us happy and peaceful. Something is missing despite all our efforts. We are never rich enough, never healthy enough, never powerful enough and never smart enough to impress those we want to.
There is a lot of difference in self improvement and self transformation. Self improvement scratches the mere surface of our being. It is doing surface patchwork and repair. It is mere cosmetic touch up. Self transformation is a complete internal change which includes complete changes in our emotions, attitudes and habits. It is taking total control of self and being responsible for changes in ourselves. It is a process by which we get in touch with the divinity within us. It means not just trimming but also cutting and hacking away any negative behaviour, attitudes, habits, attachments which stand in the way of our process of reaching the inner light.
When we start on self transformation, we start on the greatest adventure of our life. We have to be alert at all times. We never know when ego, attachment, self defeating approaches, ‘poor me’ attitudes creep upon us and capture us and imprison us in depths of material distress. We work at ourselves in the most terrible conditions where our attitudes and mental tendencies are always at work to defeat us and the people around us also do not encourage us in our self transformation. Here we have to take responsibility for our lives and actions and not wait for a book to teach us or someone to give us the exact formula by which we reach the Light.
Self improvement as we see in changes in diet, exercise, smile, being positive, etc. is not the end. It is a part of self transformation. If we focus only on self improvement, we will always have the feelings of helplessness and inadequacy as we are unable to cope up when tossed in the stormy seas of emotions, non fulfilment of expectations and desires. It does not give us the peace, balance, compassion needed to face and overcome anger and hostility when others do not agree with us and battle with us. Superior running skills, a better memory, ability to combine colours in a better way while painting, etc. do not help us to cope up with the ups and downs of life and steer the boat of life in stormy seas.
Let us regain our heritage of divinity. We are not humans living an earthy existence. We are sparks of divinity on a human sojourn. Let us work on self transformation and go back home. We are blessed to be in the sanctity of a ParamGuru. Let us make full use of the opportunity and blessings bestowed and regain our immortal selves.
