Behaviour

A rule of thumb : Do not look negatively at people, or even things for that matter.

I was taught to not judge people, for their appearance, their words, their actions, their behaviour. It was a difficult lesson, one that took many years to bear fruit. At times, we jump to conclusions, making conjectures regarding others based on the empirical evidence we gather from our interactions with them. This is natural. And as my father had once said, Natural does not mean its right. On the contrary, sometimes what we are naturally inclined to do are the complete opposite of right. Alas, this is a different story and I have digressed. When we have a pre-conceived idea of people based on our judgements, we tend to overlook on other aspects that might hint otherwise, or likewise. We have, concluded.

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I was taught to just accept things as they are, in any situation, be it bad or good, always to smile and take it as it is. Silence that urge to snap back, or make a judgement. It was difficult. I tried and I tried, to look at things square in the eye, and not let my heart fidget. I would say I was privileged to have been taught such a lesson, it teaches me to tolerate and be patient with things. Even now, at this prime age, where the confidence of youth and knowledge are ripe, it is ever more difficult. But alas, hardships bear the greatest lessons. Even now, I have a greater appreciation and understanding of this lesson taught many years back, it is simply to relent to God and accept fate as decreed. Oh the layers, how they peel as the years go by.

Despite this, it would be foolish to completely ignore the fact that behaviour is undeniably closely linked to what lies underneath, the Heart and the Mind. Behaviour is an expression of self, and how can one express that which is not true? Behaviour gives an indication of the health of the inner-being. 

Indication. Not a definition.

This is where the problem lie. What is self? We, including myself, only have a fraction of understanding of who we truly are, our self. How then can we say that we are expressing our self when we barely know it? Alas we arrive the fundamental obstacle with religion, knowing our self. A truly difficult lesson. Sages of past have said that in order to see one's self, one requires a mirror. Ancient phrases speak of a needed journey to discover one's inner-self, through experiential reflection. In both, we can see that this quest - to discover one's self; inevitably requires the aid of another, an instrument, a Teacher.

I am asleep.