In his book, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, Viktor Frankl talks about the ‘enforced mental and physical primitiveness’ of the prisoners in the concentration camp. The author talks about three psychological reactions a prisoner in the camp underwent: shock during the initial admission, apathy, and insensitiveness arising due to daily beatings after which the prisoner cared only for himself, and finally detachment with self, one’s own body, mind leading to moral deformity, bitterness and disillusionment that stayed with him even after his liberation. However, he also mentions the ‘intensification of inner life (that) helped the prisoner find a refuge from the emptiness, desolation and spiritual poverty.’ He narrates how his love for his wife grew to an extent that it wasn’t necessary for him to know whether she was dead or alive.
We, the prisoners of our circumstances, often present similar psychological patterns. At one of the spiritual sessions I attended, it was discussed how easily people tend to give up today – on careers, relationships, friendships, and life. Many see ‘giving up’ as a sign of mental weakness. Dostoevsky, a Russian novelist defines man as a being who can get used to anything. Sure he does, but should he? There are mental boundaries of endurance, an untimely crossing of which lets ‘giving up’ seep in – either in the form of a breakdown, revolt or through the acceptance of the situation driving him eventually towards resentment and hate.
This is a sign of simply not understanding the psychological limitations and pushing hard to expand them. Forced expansion of a substance brittle in nature is sure to break. Flexibility and flow of the mind can create limitless expansion with high endurance capabilities, but that doesn’t happen without preparedness. Understanding our mental boundary, and respecting it is the first step. Next is to analyze and break the mental, emotional, psychological, and situational patterns. Becoming uncomfortable, and living with it until we get comfortable again. That’s one of the many signs of growth, and progress. What good is it to be stuck in situations for a lifetime and feel helpless about it?
Constant contemplation and meditation upon the idea of self and its relation with all fellow beings is a significant aspect of the mental preparation for its expansion. And lastly, never feel guilty if your mind is not in the state you wish to see it, give it time, practice patience, and forgive yourself for you know you will not remain the same. Trust the process. Don’t hesitate to give up, if your boundaries don’t permit you to take up more today. Enough of imagining Sisyphus happy. But be kind to yourself. And have faith that tomorrow will be different, and better than today.
In Light & Gratitude,
Nazneen Kachwala
(This blog was originally published by nazneenkachwala.wordpress.com)
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