All humans seek to better their lives,
one way or other.
Openly or silently, seeking a way to find some meaning,
purpose, peace, love, respect, and healthier relationships.
Nothing wrong with that.
At a visceral level all desire similar things,
to change something about one’s inner or outer world,
only the details might differ.
Intentions are mostly
benevolent and pragmatic,
but the paths chosen are often credulous.
In recent years,
Self-Love has emerged as a new modern hack –
a new elixir, promoted by societal well-wishers,
mentors and gurus.
The majority indulges in this divine technique
without truly understanding the truth of Self-Love,
arriving nowhere tangible in the pursuit.
It becomes just another empty chase
with promised results always out of reach.
Not sure,
why so many wake up around New Year time
and make such resolutions,
maybe the sun sets and rises differently that day!
In today’s modern society,
pursuit of self-love centres around the
enhancement and polishing of the fabricated Ego-self –
the baggage of identity one adopts and
carries through life.
Simply put,
understanding of Self -love is limited to Self-care –
A reflection of how others perceive them.
A new hobby, a fitness routine, a retreat, a happiness programme,
a wardrobe change,
a spiritual book to sound wise —
each, a subtle attempt to decorate the self-image
one way or another.
Do not mistake my words wrongly,
some pursuits are genuine, meaningful and
progress made is authentic.
But most are born from imitation rather than insight.
Wrapped in this blanket of falsehood,
a man keeps engaging in these societal dogmas, rituals
believing that self-care masquerading as self-love
will bring him the happiness he seeks,
embellish his inner landscape,
or make his relationships healthier.
And yes, it brings temporary pleasure –
as most hacks and techniques do in some way.
All chases do,
But the chase never really ends.
My friend, the reality is
the hollow mantra of self-love,
as sold by society
can never fill the voids of life or
bring the peace most seek.
Simply because it lacks the necessary ingredients of – clarity.
Take an honest moment to reflect
on your own life, and see
whether this pursuit has ever truly ever offered the fulfilment
you once originally desired?
True self-love is not
merely an act to enhance the self-image,
nor a costume to cover the quiet loathing of one’s own life.
But an inward journey where the relationships
with the self evolves,
where how one loves oneself transforms.
As the progress deepens on this path,
the grip of society begins to loosen,
relationships with those around starts to evolve naturally.
He then lives with greater awareness to his
actions and responses,
where peace becomes a frequent visitor to his daily life.
A person who truly loves the self,
can genuinely love others.
Without being at peace with oneself,
one lacks the necessary prerequisites to find
peace with other.
