By : Sri Narasimha Swamiji
In life, we should not let others circumscribe us or define us. If you allow them to do that, they will reduce you and your work to zilch – as if what you are and what you have achieved don’t count at all.
If we are fooled into accepting their definition of us, we would be found wanting, definitely. Not just materially but intellectually and emotionally as well. On the contrary, if we remain calm observer of ourselves, we could see ourselves in a far more positive light as Ganesh Rao did. It is an internal processing exercise with splendid results.
Anna Saheb Dabholkar was prejudiced against Sai Baba. Even before he could meet Sai Baba physically, Baba gave a dream vision and visited his residence in the form of a portrait. Later when Dabholkar visited Shirdi, Sai Baba sublimated his ego and made him compose the epic ‘Sai Satcharita.’ Similarly, Baba showered his grace on Megha who was just a cook. He changed his mental set up and enabled him to be engaged in rituals to attain ‘Moksha.’
Therefore, when people comment on us or our ability, listen to our ‘Antaryamin.’ If we have done our job with honesty and dedication, we should not look forward to appreciation from all. Detractors will always be there. If we look inside objectively, we see the whole picture, not the fragments stitched together by those who are inimical to us.
It stretches through our entire life. Small actions and behavior patterns become more
understandable when we widen our perspective. That is when we will see that those who dismissed us as ‘useless,’ not up to it,’ ‘not satisfactory,’ did so from a very narrow perspective. A freer objective assessment would have come up with another, more pleasing picture.
Why is it important for us to engage in an exercise of self-assessment, a kind of taking stock? It is just so that we do not get misled into believing the poor report of those who cannot see our potential, our good qualities. So why not do some morale boosting? It is great way to get energized. And set about exploring the treasure trove tucked away inside.
We all go through those vulnerable moments when what others think of us, howsoever wrong or unflattering they are, begin to prey of us, and we might end up believing everything they say. These definitions are sometimes so powerful that they influence our notions of good and bad. Once a certain group of people see one as a troublemaker, or someone who questions the status quo or looks at reality critically to preserve their own turf, they might try to cut you off by defining you in a negative way. We face these situations everywhere.
Sai Baba’s definition of us is of course the best of all. He called us ‘his children.’ With this definition before us, we become self-respecting, dignified and are able to walk with confidence. When Shri Sai Baba, Tapobhumi Mandir, Kopargaon, Maharashtra the path becomes slippery, Sai Baba holds our hand. When our steps falter, Sai Baba steadies us. When we begin to become negative about ourselves, Sai Baba’s grace fill us with reassurance.
When we draw the full picture, we won’t allow vicious critics to have the final word. It is the picture we create for ourselves that determines ‘who we really are.’ So, the next time someone tells you what a poor opinion they have of you, you can tell them to take a chill pill. For you have already done that, haven’t you?
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