I have heard a story about apregnant lioness who was hunting a flock of sheepand as she pounced on the flock, she gave birth to a lion cub and unfortunately died. The flock of sheep decided to take the lion cub and raise it.With a new family for the lion cub, it was surrounded by sheep all the time. The cub grew up bleating like a sheep, ate grass, and played with them. Over the years, it grew into an enormous lion but still mistook itself for a sheep.
One day a big old lion was hunting and saw a flock of sheep. As he attacked them,sheep ran away in fear but his attention was diverted when he saw a huge young lion among them bleating and running away as well and this puzzled him. The older lion stopped chasing the sheep and ran after him. The older lion hunted him down and pounced on him. He dragged him away from the herd of sheep. He asked the younger lion why he was behaving like a sheep. The young lion started bleating and pleading and requested to spare him. The young line begged for sparing him.
The old line asked him that why he was begging for life, given that he is a young and strong lion. The young line replied that he is a small and a weak sheep, and again begged for his life. Ignoring the younger lion’s request, the old lion drags him to a pool of water and shows him you are exactly the same as me. I am a lion, so you have to be a lion. After a few moments, when the young line saw his mirror image in the water, he calmed down and realized he resembled the older lion. The older lion then roared and asked the younger one to imitate him. The younger one roared back in response and realized that he was indeed a lion.
The story is not about a sheep trying to become a lion. The lion is simply awakening to its true nature.The roar of the young lion isbecoming aware of yourself, your true self. It is about that moment when you know yourself. In Kashmir Shaivism it is reffered as “ Shivoham Shivoham”, I am Shiva” and in Vedanta it is refered as “Aham Brahmasmi” or “I am Brahman”.
We might have also come across with people, almost everyday, who say,“ am the Managing Director of this company” or “I am the CEO or President of this organisation” and I am here to create a multi-billion-dollar company and I don’t look into these small matters because I am at such and such level. If this were not enough, we also meet people who say I am a lead programmer, and this is an architect’s responsibility or vice versa or I am a “product manager,” and my scope is limited to working with customers or I am a “front-end” developer and don’t work with backend technologies.Most of the times we see people holding too tightly to their positions, titles, levels and roles and they define their entire life experience based on it.
When these titles are held so close to heart, it becomes a serious issue for the organizational growth and development. I have no intention of exaggerating. Just try this experiment. Walk into a 5 Star hotel wearing a business suit and you will be treated and received very well. All your queries for checking into a room will be responded politely. Now walk out of the hotel and change your clothes and wear clothes that are resembling with a person of rural hamlet and also add some grime to your face for effect. Now try walking into the same hotel. I bet, you would be lucky even if you make it to the lobby, let alone your room. Was the person who checked into the room earlier any different from now?
Some years back, I read a book titled”How Starbucks Saved My Life”. In the book at one of the passages refers to, Michael Gates Gill, once a multi-millionaire, reflecting on how his privileged upbringing initially hindered his ability to empathize with people from different walks of life and finally landed him in Star bucks for a job where his experienceshumbled him and allowed him to develop a deeper understanding of the human condition. His experiences triggered new insights where he started exploring into the concept of authenticity and recognised the masks people often wear to conceal their true selves. Through his own journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Gill learns to embrace his vulnerabilities and imperfections, ultimately finding greater authenticity and fulfilment in his life. Perhaps Gill’s experiences are no different than what modern psychology has started finding out now that Pratibhignya has dealt many millennials back.
In modern contemporary times we have many philosophies rich in their content and research that has started taking an inward journey direction compared to the traditional science leaning on the outward focus. Being a management student and leadership development professional, I have been trained during my IBM days on tools and techniques of Emotional Intelligence, a concept popularized by psychologists Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer, as well as by author Daniel Goleman. The concept of Emotional intelligence (EI) encompasses the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as to recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.
While, “How Starbucks Saved My Life” illustrates key principles of emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, social skills, and resilience, that are very recent, it also reminds me how thousands of years back sages and scholars of Kashmir, documented the power of Self Awareness in Pratibighnya. While “How Starbucks Saved My Life” may not explicitly delve into metaphysical concepts of consciousness, it does touch upon themes of self-awareness, empathy, and authenticity, which are integral aspects of personal growth and understanding. Through his candid reflections and insights, Gill offers readers valuable lessons on the importance of introspection and connection with others in navigating life’s challenges and finding meaning and purpose by looking inside.
While these contemporary philosophies don’t show a direct mirroring with metaphysical concepts, they indicate how west has started realisingthe value of looking inward. Perhaps today’s EI is just atip of the iceberg of the huge knowledge mass of Pratibhighnya, a more detailed interdisciplinary study can help them and the world to leverage from this great wisdom of east.
Emotional intelligence (EI) encompasses self-awareness at both conscious and subconscious levels. At subconscious self-awareness level it involves an individual’s ability to recognize and understand their own emotional patterns, tendencies, and triggers, even when these may not be immediately apparent on a conscious level. This aspect of self-awareness often involves introspection, reflection, and a deep exploration of one’s internal landscape.When comparing the concept of subconscious self-awareness within emotional intelligence (EI) to the principles of Pratibighnya as outlined in Kashmir Shaivism, it becomes evident that while EI offers valuable insights into understanding one’s emotional landscape, it may still fall short in providing a holistic understanding of the nature of consciousness and self-realization.
Subconscious self-awareness within EI primarily focuses on recognizing emotional patterns, triggers, and implicit beliefs that influence one’s thoughts and behaviours. While this aspect of awareness is crucial for navigating interpersonal relationships, managing stress, and making informed decisions, it tends to operate within the realm of individual psychology and does not necessarily address deeper existential questions about the nature of reality and consciousness.
In contrast, the concept of Pratibighnya in Kashmir Shaivism delves into the nature of consciousness itself and the process of self-realization. It fundamentally suggests that the conscious self of each individual does not comprise whole of the consciousness within us. Most of the part remains potential. Mind and Body are the instruments that one uses to manifest knowledge and action. Pratibighnya goes beyond mind and body. It encompasses the recognition of one’s true nature as pure consciousness (Chiti) and the liberation from the limitations imposed by the ego and the material world that prevents us to recognise that wholeness. It goes beyond mere introspection or self-analysis to involve a direct experiential realization of the divine essence within oneself and all of existence.
Pratibighnya also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings through universal consciousness and the recognition of the divine presence in every aspect of life. It believes that Universe and Human is no different in construct. Our body is like a mini cosmos where everything is inter and intra connected. It offers a comprehensive framework for understanding self, interconnectedness, the nature of reality and attaining spiritual enlightenment through practices such as meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion. Through this process of self-recognition, it helps one to recognise self and also recognise one’s free will and free nature. This system of self-recognition has the power to change for better.
While subconscious self-awareness within EI provides a valuable starting point for personal growth and emotional well-being, it may be considered incomplete when compared to the profound insights and transformative potential offered by the concept of Pratibighnya. By integrating the principles of Pratibighnya into one’s journey of self-awareness, individuals can deepen their understanding of consciousness, expand their sense of interconnectedness with the universe, and ultimately realize their true nature as divine beings.
While EI focuses primarily on understanding and managing emotions for personal growth, individual wellbeing and strengthening interpersonal relationships, Pratibighnya invites individuals to transcend the limitations of the ego and directly experience the boundless nature of consciousness. This can lead to profound shifts in perception and identity, fostering a sense of inner peace, interconnectedness, and spiritual fulfilment.Pratibighnya also offers the potential for radical transformation at the deepest levels of consciousness, leading to spiritual enlightenment and liberation from suffering.The beauty of this philosophy is that it fosters a sense of universal wisdom, compassion, and interconnectedness that extends to all beings, leading to greater harmony and unity in the world.
Incorporating Pratibighnya into EI research would entail a deeper exploration of consciousness itself widening and deepening the concept and going beyond ego and emotions. Rather than solely focusing on emotions and cognitive processes, researchers would recognize the fundamental nature of consciousness as the underlying substrate of all mental phenomena. This shift in perspective would lead to a more comprehensive understanding of human experience and behaviour.This holistic approach would lead to expanding the concept of EI and therefore creating more comprehensive models of emotional intelligence that address the full spectrum of human experience.I have no hesitation in saying that “Emotional Intelligence” (EI) needs to expand, grow and transform into “Consciousness Intelligence” (CI)
In conclusion, I feel that in the silence between thoughts, the light of consciousness shines brightest, illuminating the path to self-realization and emotional liberation.
(The Author is Vice Chancellor, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University)
