From the time you wake up, tiny ripples of fear ripple across the living waters of your mind, barely visible below the surface, forming patterns that break and regroup all the time — sometimes taking larger shapes much like tiny schools of fish forming giant patterns that morph continuously as they move. And who exactly are you? Like a child in a bad dream, locked and experiencing unhappy emotions, you are a helpless observer surrounded by this frenzy, meekly accepting its power, unaware that you can break free and define a newer more fulfilling world. But you cannot break free — not as yet. At this moment, you would do well by accepting the fact that nameless fears rising from the deep have an absolute control and command over you.
“I accept I am a victim of my fears. I am ruled by them.”
This statement of acceptance is a major achievement towards freedom. Accepting their existence is the same as being aware of them, and their grip over you begins to recede. Looking at it another way, you are waking up in the morning like a futuristic junkie might wake up 50 years from now.
You have remote-controlled syringes embedded inside your body, each loaded with addictive neurochemicals. One syringe is full of cortisol, which rapidly increases heartbeat, restlessness, makes you shiver and shake. One has epinephrine, which gives a sense of panic — and so on. You pick up your smartphone, open an application program called “Shoot Me Up Baby” and punch in a “surprise me” option. The program now decides how and when the syringes will shoot their stuff inside you through the day. Sometimes they will shove this chemical, sometimes they will surprise you with a big headache that is sure to thrill you with its stony intensity.
You are somewhat similar to this futuristic junkie. The only difference is that he is running a smartphone controlled program for getting his fix, while you have already been programmed for addiction by your subconscious mind. Understand this carefully and own up to it.
“I have no control of my fears, on the other hand these fears control my thoughts and emotions at will.”
This statement of acceptance too has deep value. It isn’t an acknowledgement of powerlessness. It is actually the beginning of a great change within. That was the serious part. Now that it’s over and done with, relax and start watching people around you. Let me kickstart on some stuff to get you up and running.
“The boot camp syndrome”— this is my catch phrase for a programme that runs in many people’s heads. Here the guy — who has been bullied by his parents, older brothers and others as a child — has developed an unconscious habit of wanting to please the strong “alpha male” wherever he finds him. He has forgotten the fact that he is no longer a victim. Whenever he meets anyone who exudes authority, he shows a strange behaviour of wanting to please the fellow.
Watching this program unfold in a person can be funny and sad at the same time. Oops, I have run out of space.
Till next week then. Meanwhile, think about what I said. Introspect. Ciao.