Self-awareness Key To Building Character

 Human beings always strive to harmonise their intention, choice and action. This action does not depend on external things, although they may influence it. Inward joy requires knowing oneself, talking to oneself and invoking internal awareness. It is a process of learning, evolving conscience and ethical sense of worth. It builds virtues of humility and moral character. Unadjusted life is filled with psychological problems - worry, emotion, feeling, fear, hate, envy, and craving for success. The other side is the search for technical and scientific knowledge to enable one to be efficient, skilled and competitive to realise material progress in life. Knowledge enables one to know essential social nature, consider others like oneself and live as co-citizens.

Since antiquity, Nepalis have been involved in an eternal quest for peace with themselves so that they are stress-free to pursue creative initiatives and the positive potential of life. It has built their peaceful character and discarded violence in social relationships, the very foundation of family, community, society and the state. Harnessing self-awareness means improving the ability to deal usefully with self, realise self-actualisation without inflicting harm to others, including the natural environment. It is a positive psychology to glean historical insight, reflective ability and balanced social interests, a balance well-articulated in Nepal’s classical treatises. It affirms the survival of all species, not just human beings. The Nepali constitution espouses many of its traits for sustainable progress.

Light of oneself

The ability of Nepalis to adapt to change finds its resonance in Gautam Buddha’s saying to become light of oneself, transform oneself, and meditate to acquire a blissful life. To him, the source of joy does not come with material and worldly success alone, but from compassion for the meek. He spelled the harmonious development of body, mind and soul. Cultivating clear perceptions is a vital aspect of a balanced life. People face a sense of loss if they turn away from themselves. The way of introspection and reflection strengthens self-confidence and harnesses the sense of self-worth. The pressing challenges of modernisation and urbanisation, and the complexity of work, have left human minds sputtering in various directions, lacking a proper gaze on vital priorities.   

In a competitive life, people often suffer from anxiety disorder because they are turning away from their true human nature, which, as Buddha says, is blissful, and chase an elusive utopia. They forgot their innate duty to mend their own families, communities and society. Vedic literature focuses on right thinking, right preference and correct action like Buddhism. Any slice of disharmony individualises them. Nepali sages and people have relished the vitality of survival on spiritual progress, not just material ones, and can think beyond self. The narration of Nepal itself resonates in spiritual literature and, therefore, the founder of modern Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah, deemed Nepal a sacred land. The modern notion of morality is derived from the positive belief that doing good to others returns to oneself.  Meditation is an ancient practice performed by Nepalis based on the theory of acquiring self-discipline and inner care. Nobody is perfect in this world. One acquires the right attitude from proper socialisation. 

Separation from others’ concerns ultimately harms the web of life. Tapping inner resources and spirit can enhance the power of a positive attitude. Self- fulfilment comes from the ability to shape the circumstances. One need not fear failure because it bears lessons for future success. It sets open moments to realise self and mould potential. Proper training of children must begin from home, schools, vocational centres and civil society. This enthuses them with a sense of responsibility. Nothing can touch one vividly than the glow of a sense of self-worth and rising above the painful experience of life. The ability to give and receive develops the ability of individuals to build solidarity and deal constructively with reality.

Self-standards seek meaning of life and evolve a change-oriented mindset, patience and determination towards the goal many youths now aspire. Excessive greed, hatred and resentment corrode inner life. One needs to overcome envy to avoid what David Brooks calls “a life of smug superficiality.” In Nepal, many temples and Buddhist Sangha organise daily conversations with the sages to overcome negative conditions by cultivating positive thinking. They focus on refining the self and cultivating relationships with others and nature and uphold the ideals of honour, integrity and perfection of good life. Forgiveness is another step to exercise wisdom as a culturally rooted character of Nepalis, a character that helps to win the heart of others and tends to correct disposition.   

 Self-awareness 

Nepalis have invented the practice of reflection, introspection and listening exercises in spiritualism. It has helped to transcend prejudice and seek a higher order of soul, which is the common source of all living species. Sociability of life has increased human abilities in attunement of the will to achieve peace with oneself and reconcile science with human faith and feeling rather than only succumbing to reason. When one feels helpless to face problems, sadness occurs, sapping moral strength to pursue freedom. Self-awareness shapes a rational mind, deals with frustration, and socio-psychological ills. 

Cultivation of right thought, attitude and practice are traits of self-renewal. Moral character requires not only success in personal life but also the ethics of good conduct. Nepalis have shown a huge appetite for political change, but they have not been able to overcome their weakness, the source of the current malaise. Strengthening character requires building soul, living with conscience, kindness, thoughtfulness, love and helping others. Acquiring a balance in life and building character demands a reconciliation of morality with the utility of purpose in character building.

(Tara Dahal holds an MA in Peace and Conflict from Otto-Von Guericke University, Germany)