Religious. Agnostic. Skinny. Healthy. Holy. Good. Ugly. Right. Wrong. We are all of these assumptions and much more in the mirror of the world. Trying to adapt to the reflection of our perfection, suppressing our true identities, we wear a mask best suited for the occasion, a mask of ego that would help us fit in with the rest in the world of shallowness. What we really miss out on while we are busy adjusting, is the emotion we were taught as a child – LOVE.
Trying to find love outside and pacifying the ardent desire ‘to be loved’, we overlook the place where it truly resides – within us. Greek mythology, Buddhism, Hinduism and many other religions and cults, emphasis on the profuse power of self-love and self-compassion. This fundamental form of love often goes missed and if tapped, is declared to be wrapped in the mask of narcissism. But the urgent need to focus on self-love, a symbol of self-trust, is ignored. People are scared to believe in themselves & are rather happier to live a life of self-contempt because self-trust is too expensive to afford. And who is to be blamed in the mad frenzy of the best? The society or ourselves? This perplexing question can have subjective answers. Greeks mythology, as we know, holds gods and goddess on a dewy rope of faith for every emotion. From Eros, the Greek god of love and sexual desire, to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, passion & desire. There is a term for self-love in Greek mythology too, Philautia. The idea of Philautia is not to love ourselves under the purview of narcissism, but to identify the healthier and spiritual side of self-love. The concept is based on the idea that if we are secure inside and the power of self-love is cultivated & nurtured, the desire of approval from the outside cease to exist. Also, one who has experienced love internally will love others as well.
This form of self-love is prescribed in Buddhism as self-compassion and also laid down by Hinduism that speaks about love for others being just an illusion & not reality. The real love lies ‘inside’ and the pure love is, love for the Divine. Ways to self-love: What is the cost of practicing the sacred art of self-love? You will have to wager your negative thoughts, the perception of others you see yourself with and the self-critical, over-analytical mind that puts you down. 1) Self-realization or self-worth is an important step – When we realize that we have a role to play in the giant scheme of the universe and without which, things might not function, a positive approach to self-start to harbor. 2) Putting yourself first – Often in the daily routine we neglect ourselves by putting our loved ones before us. When we do so, we are suppressing our needs. Yoga Philosophy says that when we suppress our desires, it crops up in form of a disease either physically or mentally. Consider yourself as an integral part of the universe and next time think before you choose someone else above yourself.
3) Stop the comparison game – Acknowledging that we all are born to be essentially different, stop comparing yourself with your family, friends or even foes. This comparison is the worst thing one can do. When we compare, not only do we criticize ourselves, we also degrade our existence. 4) Working on the spiritual aspect – The mindful practice of yoga and meditation, if done regularly can reap extended benefits. When we work on our subconscious mind by way of meditation, we harness the power of oneness with the supreme energy. Gaining strength internally will ground you and balance out the insecurities hiding in our mind.