Human ‘Doing’ to Human ‘Being’..

Going by the dictionary meaning of Human beings, we are distinguished from the other species on this planet primarily due to superior mental development, power of articulating speech and having an upright stance. I find this a very limited description of what we are actually capable of being. Would rather say that this is a definition of Human doing.

As humans, we are always into the act of doing right from childhood and that is mapped to different levels of achievements in our life. Achievements in the area of knowledge, power and our possessions. My journey of understanding the difference between human doing to human being is relatable with the book/movie by Dr Wayne – The Shift.

He mentions that from the time of conception till the time we are born, all our needs are taken care of by the universal force. Then post birth, we start taking care of ourselves, and in that process move away from who we really are (ego sets in then we move from being to doing).

Dr Wayne talks about how people are usually lost with what their purpose really means to them. He says our purpose – “is to be just happy, to be in a place where you are not trying to get to someplace else”. If I look at my own life, my early memories of school have been where I need to get good marks, so that I get into a good college. I would always be comparing myself with where I stand in my class basis the rank I got. It may have motivated me to get better in the next exam, but it did dampen my spirit somewhere as I was made to feel lower as compared to those ahead of me. This is where I was introduced to “racing”. Life felt like one big race where we had to win no matter what.

This is also where we are introduced to our own ego. Dr Wayne refers to ego as – edge God out. Childhood is also a place where ego is born unless you are taught otherwise. Dr Wayne categorizes the journey of ego into 3 parts –

First it tells us that who we are is based on what we have– and it begins with toys, books, our clothes, our appearance and then bank accounts and other possessions, beliefs – the more I have, the more valuable I am as a person.  He says – “we emphasize on more – the more we have – and the more people will try to take it away from you. So, if you lose what you have, you feel you have nothing left.”  

Second aspect of ego according to him– “is not only what I have, but I am what I do as well. What I do becomes this thing called achievement. Then this whole world of believing what I am is what I do is consume by the idea of my success, work etc, get more money, promotion etc.”

Third aspect of the ego is what other people think of me – I am my reputation. He says – “If you are consumed by this, then you will be something different every time you turn around. This is particularly relevant for women.”

Later part of the ego is separation – who I am is separate from everyone else, and all the things I am missing or like to have. And then finally it teaches us that we are separate from God.

When I was in my teens, it was very important for me to be accepted by my peers, extended family, friends, my professors etc. In fact, I was so consumed by what other people thought of me, that I feel I completely lost my purpose and began moulding myself into what society wanted me to be like. An engineer or a doctor is looked up to and so I was pushed into that. I struggled to get through those engineering years, more so because internally I felt my creativity was not getting a chance to bloom. I found things very mechanical and unconsciously I felt myself swimming against my true nature. I could sense the struggle, however never thought of how or why I was moving away from my true self.

Dr Wayne says – “One of the ways to realize our purpose is to return to nature to find your own nature and surrender to our future pull, pulling yourself into what you were meant to be. Let go and allow. So we are born, we are surrounded by our people, our culture etc and we are told that we cannot trust who we are and we have to trust outside of ourselves. However, whatever is missing from your life is also a part of you, and you are connected to it. All it needs is for us to be aligned so that it manifests in your life.”

Living a life based on principles that had a base outside of me, it should not have been surprising that I found myself in unfavorable situations. By God’s grace though these life changing situations in my life made me stop in my path and pause. It made me think on what I had got wrong. It made me realize how influenced I was by external impulses rather than looking within for answers. It also helped me understand and accept that only I, am responsible for what I am today. Hence it is important to understand my true nature and listen to the voice within.

Amidst all the turmoil I had been through, there was one thing I was very sure of and that was the presence of Grace in my life. As Dr Wayne says that the later part of ego also separates you from the universal force (in your mind). Thankfully I did not succumb to that and am eternally grateful for that.

Dr Wayne says – “When we start making choices from the ego – all sort of things happens to us. Instead of making your choices from who you really are.” How do you know if you are taking choices from your higher self? He says – “by understanding how you feel, are you feeling angry depressed, anxious or blissful? When you become attached to things, you lose who you are.”

When we surrender, we start getting guided by something larger than ourselves. That is where it is important to let go of the need to take things into our control and instead try to be in the moment. What does it mean to be in the moment? Where we are a witness to our thoughts, our actions without being attached to them. Initially you will find this tough, but by practice and being mindful, you start seeing the wonders. It will help you be calm even in a difficult situation.

I realized when I started witnessing my thoughts and actions, I was able to steer myself faster away from worry, anger, irritation to a more peaceful me. It is a long journey but I am hopeful that this path where I am true and a witness to my inner self will help me be!! For me the actual meaning of Human being would be – we are distinguished from the other species on this planet for our capabilities of being aware of each moment, our true self and of connecting with the larger universal force.