Overcoming A Conditioned Mind

Imagine if all of us were to come with an operating manual. Everything would be scripted.

- Athreya Kadambi

Our lives would be at the mercy of the one with the manual and we would be mere puppets, strutting around the stage of life. Bickering with our emotions, fighting our demons, and at the end of the day, wondering what's wrong with us?

Life would be encapsulated by a single word. Monotonous.

With the introduction of systems, institutions, and hierarchies, we are constantly served with mandates and ultimatums. So, are we already living based on a manual?

Most of us are asked to get a degree and settle down with a job. Living from paycheck to paycheck our entire lives. Trading time away for money and then, satiating our egos with buying a big house or an expensive car or a new piece of technology.

But why does material bought by money determine our identity? Since when did money become an identity marker?

Well, it all comes back to creating a safety net so that we can fall safely. Like it doesn't really matter where we fall as long as we fall within the given guidelines.

Speaking of safety nets, let's imagine that a person is about to go sky diving. He's excited but scared to death at the same time. After mustering a lot of courage, he finally decides to step towards the edge of the plane, ready to launch himself into infinite. The feeling is exhilarating! But right before he jumps, he is told that there is a safety net a hundred feet above the ground to make sure that he lands safely.

Not only does this deny him the opportunity to land on his own feet, but it also takes away the thrill and joy of the sport. Nullifying the entire experience and an important lesson That one can overcome his fears.

Subsequently, this brings us to our next gawking understanding that these safety nets were literally designed to condition us. In fact, most of us spend our lives looking for safety nets and coddling ourselves in their comfort. In turn, leads us to an anchor called mediocrity.