All things are in constant flux. Embedded in the manifest disharmony is the beauty of harmony. This is a fact we rarely recall when we experience the sinusoidal nature of life. We may find ourselves walking through the vagaries of life with fragile mindsets, ill-prepared for the quotidian dialectics. Many people remain trapped for a long time as a result of this.
Usually when life happens, people generally have one or more things they are conditioned to do and which they believe enable them to cope. For example, some resort to taking alcohol or drugs, some inordinately quiz themselves or blame others for their lot. These invariably lead to a loss of self-esteem, hence, are not sustainable ways to address problems.
Across many world religions and philosophies, three things are often evident when the question of how man is able to overcome challenges and evolve in his environment arises. These include the soul (essence, substance, talent) of man, the power of believing and man’s capacity for thought or reason. The essence of these resources and how they could be put to use are discussed as follows:
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
Connecting and engaging your Soul
The soul is one of the greatest gifts of life we possess as living beings. Our soul represents the presence of universal intelligence in us. We cannot see it but we can connect with and feel it. However, one thing that we must learn is how we can make the best of this gift. The soul is our closest and most trusted ally. The soul is the light of man and connects man’s physical and spiritual existences.
Characteristic of the soul is the power of intuition which resolves questions that are mostly evasive to logic. The essence of the soul is to guide man and explain to him the many conundrums of life. Information flows from the spiritual or ethereal realm to the soul which passes and interprets it to man in the earthly symbols and language. Thus, when we are puzzled by life, our greatest defence is seeking solace from the soul.
There is no place as quitting and comforting as the human soul – Marcus Aurelius
How to connect with the soul? Iyanla Vanzant, a motivational writer, answered this in a somewhat idealistic and melancholic style. She thought invoking the soul should be done through a pool of emotion such as sequestering yourself, being far removed from the noises and distractions of the world, to cry over your affairs like an innocent infant would gear up its mother to come to its aid as a result of a threat it encountered in its environment. This according to Vanzant is not to hurt yourself but to jolt your soul from the ether to intervene in your worldly affair.
‘’Even there is a great cure in profound tears for it cleanses the body and clears up the head and the mind,’’ Iyanla Vanzant.
While the soul is a great resource with which to live our lives, it is perishable, hence must be constantly renewed. In order not to allow the soul to degrade, it is believed that one must avoid doing these five things:
- Being constantly disgruntled at everything that fate has brought you with
- Turning your back against other people or plotting to do them harm
- Allowing oneself to be overwhelmed by pleasure, pain or the thought of other people’s
- Thriving on falsehood and pretense
- Doing things randomly and disconnected without purpose
Exercising the power of belief
Belief is an adaptive feature of man. Belief directs and emboldens our focus; it saves us from distractions and directs our attention to that which is believed in. Belief is not only therapeutic and psychologically relevant; it also brings about order in humanity as it helps us to quell the urge for immediate gratification which invariably spurs conflicts in society.
It is understandable that questions of belief and faith are often taken with a grain of salt in the realm of science which dwells mostly on reason and facts. However, it is ironical that most scientific breakthroughs have been possible due to the power of belief. Believing brings you inner peace. It will keep you going until you are out of the mazes and get to your destination.
Embracing the All in thought while you observe as things unfold
Everything in nature, from atoms to matter and to the heavenly bodies, like the sun, the moon, the stars and the galaxies exist mainly that we can live and reflect on them. And things must not be seen in isolation of the other related things and the general nature and the laws that bind them all. Observing nature this way will not only increase your capacity for thought but will also give you pleasure and a sense of beauty while you experience the interconnection of things.
You can observe the constantly flowing river and learn from it’s the greatness that is embedded in kindness and generosity. You can also observe the stars in the stark night.
‘’even nature’s inadvertence has its own charm, its own sensitivity – will find it all gives pleasure… dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them,’’ Marcus Aurelius.
Resource:
Ismail A. Tiamiyu (2019). Ghaib: The Voyage of the Unseen. SAO Multiventures