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Understand Your True Identity—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—The Father of “Soft Leadership” & International Leadership Guru
“Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living.” ―Buddha
Some people search for meaning in their lives. They question themselves, “Who am I?”, “What is my identity?”, “Why did I come to this world?”, “What is my role?” “What should be my goal?”, “What I would like to be remembered for?” and so on. This inquiry spirit leads to individual growth and spiritual development. Some people go to the extent of giving up their materialistic possessions to search for meaning in their lives. For instance, Buddha renounced all his materialistic possessions and luxuries to become a great saint.
From Siddhartha Gautama to Buddha (563-483 BC)
There are different versions of Buddha’s reinvention from Siddhartha Gautama. Here is the most accurate one. Siddhartha Gautama was born to a Hindu King in Lumbini. He led a luxurious life since childhood. His father deliberately sheltered him from human suffering, particularly death. One day when he was passing through, he was shocked by the sight of an aged man, a sick man, and a corpse. He was deeply moved by people crying over the dead body. These incidents made him think and find out who he was. He abandoned all comforts of the palace to seek enlightenment. He was enlightened at Bodh Gaya. He acquired the Three Knowledges1. The first knowledge was that of his past lives and the past lives of all beings. The second knowledge was of the laws of karma. The third knowledge was that he was free of all obstacles and released from attachments. During his enlightenment, Buddha discovered the following three great truths: nothing is lost in the universe; everything changes; and the law of cause and effect. He created the following 4 noble truths and the secret to true peace and happiness: The Noble Truth of Suffering; The Noble Truth of The Arising of Suffering; The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering: Suffering Can Cease; and The Noble Truth of The Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering: There is a Path out of Suffering. He gave his first sermon in Sarnath. His wife Yasodhara became a nun and disciple of his son, Rahula became a monk at the age of 7 and spent the rest of his life with his father. He spent many years teaching his philosophy of inner peace, detachment, and how to attain liberation from earthly suffering. His doctrines eventually became what is known as Buddhism. He attained Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar.
Who Am I?
Ramana Maharishi made the question 'Who Am I?' very popular. With the rapid growth in technology, people are overloaded with information and lost track of their paths. They began questioning the nature of work and life. Hence, the question, 'Who am I?' has become more popular currently. It is a well-admitted fact that only when you love yourselves you will be able to love others. Only when you understand yourself you will be able to understand others. Hence, understand yourself through self-inquiry. The human mind is like a monkey's mind. When you can control and stabilize your mind, you will be able to ask yourself to find meaning in your life.
Yevgeny Pushenko’s Inspiring Spiritual Journey
MARC V. outlines an inspiring story of Yevgeny Pushenko who gave up everything to find meaning in his life in the article titled, ‘10 Refreshing Stories Of Rich People Who Gave Their Fortunes Away as follows: Yevgeny Pushenko2 had a good thing going for him back in the 1990s. The Soviet Union had just broken up and people were free to pursue their dreams. For Pushenko, that freedom enabled him to construct a clothing factory in his hometown of Vladivostok. Soon, business was booming and he had 50 factory workers at one point. However, Pushenko felt empty. Until then, he had not really practiced his faith as an Orthodox Christian, which was suppressed for so long by the authorities. It wouldn’t be long before he met his friends over vodka (of course) and handed them the keys to his factory. His shocked friends found out the reason from his parents the next day: He wanted to be a monk and do a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For three years, Pushenko walked 15,000 kilometers (9,320 mi) through several countries until he finally reached his destination. Pushenko endured many trials during his journey, from battling extreme weather to fending off suspicious authorities, but remarked that his faith kept him going. After he had finished his pilgrimage, Pushenko renamed himself Athanassios and retired to Mt. Athos in Greece, where he has since resided at a monastery.
Do Happiness and Meaning Go Together?
It is rare to achieve both happiness and meaning in life. The people who want to lead their lives happily are takers while the people who want to provide meaning to their lives are givers. When you lead a happy life, you live only one life but when you lead a meaningful life you live beyond one life. Only in rare cases, do you live in eternity. It all depends on the people and their choices whether they want to live for today or eternity. When you look at Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela they sacrificed their personal lives for the sake of others by giving everything and providing meaning to their lives. Hence, there must be some balance between happiness and meaning to lead a happy and meaningful life.
How to Lead a Meaningful Life?
To lead a purposeful life, break your mental limitations. Anthony Robbins said, “Many people are passionate, but because of their limiting beliefs about who they are and what they can do, they never take the actions that could make their dream a reality.” Therefore, take risks. Remember, not taking a risk is also a risk. Identify your passions and follow them religiously. Remember, you have only one life to live. Focus on the destination but enjoy the journey. Remember, you must balance your personal, professional, and social life. Above all, avoid regrets in life. To summarize, don’t live your life on autopilot. Instead, take control, be a risk-taker, come out of your comfort zone, and explore opportunities to make it big in your life.
People are born and die every day but we remember only a few great leaders because they added immense value to society and provided meaning to their lives. Therefore, understand your true identity to add value to others and provide meaning to your life.
Share if you care!
“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html
Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html
Note: I had COVID. I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand is paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for understanding and empathy. https://youtu.be/BFJrSRLHPUk
Life is great!
Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM
Vision 2030: https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professormsrao
Substack: https://professormsrao.substack.com
X: http://twitter.com/professormsrao
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorMSRao
Meta: https://www.facebook.com/Professor-MS-Rao-451516514937414
See the Light in You: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132
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