PRIDE AND BEYOND: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

It is very difficult to live without pride; as that amounts to live in self pity; which is like death. Whether we call it; ego, self respect, self esteem, self dignity or even a certain degree of arrogance; I need it! I need it to live. If I am a king, a celebrity or a rich person, then I tend to have it any way.

But even if I am a beggar, an ailing individual; or a person helpless in some other way; I need it; and I need it even more; to sail through the ocean of hardships. If I am stripped off this pride, then it would be impossible for me to gather any strength to struggle and the vitality to live!

Probably in view of this; pride of race, religion, nation, language, tradition, cult and a person; is often considered natural, normal and even commendable. It has played a major role in rise (though excessive or perverted pride becomes a fanatic megalomania and can lead to downfall) of a race, religion, nation, language, tradition, cult and a person.

The holistic perspective; enlightens and empowers me. It adds to my pride and enables me to fight a variety of failures. But by virtue of this; it also develops condescending attitude in me! I tend to be judgmental, although compassionate and considerate; and take onus upon myself; of everything; in my life and the universe.
This is exasperating and never ending.

My Guru caringly guides every single particle, every chemical and physical reaction, every physiological event; every phase of consciousness; and every event and interaction in my life; and everything in universe. He empowers and enlightens me to see “this fact”! He shows me at appropriate time; His all encompassing vitalizing, controlling and nurturing role; in everything, which I feel proud or guilty; or hateful or envious of!

As this becomes clear and clearer; instead of being arbitrarily and abruptly stripped of my self-pride; I am skillfully sailed from and through my life full of pride (and prejudices); to the abode beyond every kind of pride! In complete self effacement, which is otherwise terrifying; I find the lotus feet of my Guru; the infinite eternal ocean of bliss.