We often spend time trying to understand the complex world we live in. But, how often do you spend time really trying to understand yourself? We create our world in our own image and there lies vast complexity within you if only you dare to explore it.
Reflections
Our socioeconomic systems can take on lives of their own, however we humans are the base elements of these systems. As such, how we relate to ourselves and each other undoubtedly affects the way our systems of living unfold. Complex systems are inherently unpredictable — there is just too much going on to try and make sense of everything. And in a sense, it is our own complexity as a species that has led us to fashion a world of great creativity and destruction, probably in equal measure.
But, what of recognising and exploring your own internal world? Your internal world that both influences and is influenced by the external. Is this even on the radar? We are an extremely impressionable and adaptable species. We can pick-up all sorts of ideas and habits very quickly. And, many of these are not necessarily favourable to individual wellbeing or to the wellbeing of society. In fact, despite great material advancements there is certainly a case to be made for a serious lack of human contentment and meaning in modernity.
Patchwork
If your edifice of reality is built upon scraps of ideas unconsciously snatched from the air, perhaps from school, popular culture and the media, then confusion and inner turmoil very likely await you. Because you are trying to navigate through dense fog on the surface, without having any firm ground to stand on. Firm ground that is rooted in a deeper understanding of yourself. Of your heart and your mind, thoughts and emotions. Of your relationship with YOU. For, it is how you relate to yourself that becomes the basis for how you relate to the external world.
What are the deeper, non-conscious beliefs behind how you see yourself? What habitual narratives and patterns are at play that colour your vision of the world? That colour your vision of yourself?
Do you see yourself as you are or rather as you believe you should be? What does it even mean to see yourself “as you are”? Do you see the world as it is, or rather as you think it is? The more you delve into your inner world — the nature of your own mind and how it is constantly being influenced and triggered by all sorts of things — the more clearly you will see through the noise of the outer world. For, the two are reflections of each other.
Understand yourself
If the outer world seems like an unnavigable fog, it is your inner world that becomes your compass. It is clarity within that becomes the basis for finding clarity without. But, that requires courage. The courage to look into yourself and your mind. To challenge your own narratives and ideas. To shine the light of awareness on to those unconscious beliefs that remain hidden in the shadows, but that drive so much of what you do.
This is the journey of self-understanding.
This is personal mastery.
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Harsha is a 1:1 coach and independent thinker based in London. He empowers people to find more clarity, confidence and focus in their lives — to cut through the noise, in a world so full of it. Harsha’s new book, Machine Ego: Tragedy of the Modern Mind, is now available in paperback and Kindle through Amazon.
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