How do we discover our true greatness and authentic self?
Kahlil Gibran wrote: “They tell me: if you see a slave sleeping, do not
wake him lest he be dreaming of freedom. I tell them: If you see a slave
sleeping, wake him and explain to him freedom”.
What Gibran was speaking of is not only about physical slavery but also about the
slavery of mind and soul, the one we submit so gleefully to the banner of progress, institutions and societies.
This lament is also shared by great figures the likes of R. W. Emerson and H. D. Thoreau. They emphasized cultivation of true self, living by ethics and not simply by rule. They are the ones who blazed the trails through personal hardships and unflinching belief in the greater goodness of humankind. They did not settle for false freedom and independence afforded by security of herd mentality and took the harder path to true individuality.
Learning From Giants
Frequently, we settle for false freedom, the freedom that lies at only external material level. At a ground level, you may assert this illusory freedom in the form of moving out of your parental home to your ‘own’ place, having your own vehicle, secure job, financial independence, business or even having your ‘own’ mind. On the contrary, however, that is a sham freedom. You are not, in any way, free in the true sense of meaning. It is the grand illusion of the corporate dreamland. You just become an unthinking commodity in the larger scheme of utilitarianism.
How free can you be while you are ‘dependent’ so dearly on numerous things? You might have self-delusory rationalization that by moving out of parental home, buying your own car or being independent in numerous seen or unseen ways, you are on the way to an unfettered freedom. But before you really succumb to that line of reasoning, you should analyze the reality of your perceived freedom. Are you really free, as you like to believe? Do not you think these are also bondages? Subtle, insidious, more powerful though socially approved.
Most of our social and personal woes are rooted into this erroneous line of reasoning. Our idea of ‘being or having independence’ is perilously flawed and is socially programmed in our mind to make us a part of a crowd. It is beside the point that some of you are leaders of that large crowd, what we call society, and others are simple, unprotesting followers. But, you still are a crowd with no individuality.
The popular banter, ‘even if you win a rat race, you still are a rat’, points toward the erosion of sense of individuality under the pompous banner of progress and social conformity. As Emerson poignantly pointed, “I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names, to large societies and dead institutions”. It should be pertinent to note here that this proponent of true individuality was dismissed from Harvard University because of his uncompromising adherence to non-conformity.
Moral Courage- dare to discover your true greatness
The common definition of individuality in our culture is utilitarian. That is why we accord higher respect to the ones who are part of the herd than to the person who follow personal or professional calling from heart. Society always tries to breed mediocrity, for it perpetuates the semblance of social order in the form of collective hypocrisy.
Henry David Thoreau was held in contempt by his contemporaries for speaking against legalized slavery in America, however now, his books are mandatory readings in schools. William Blake died unsung on the edge of poverty and now his original scribbles bring millions of dollars. History is replete with these sorts of examples.
Nevertheless, that is price you pay for being a true authentic individual. As Albert Einstein noted, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds”. Established social structure encourages and rewards mediocrity while penalizing those who have the courage to stand above the pack.
You too are infused with the same spirit, which permeated the lives of Gibran, whose books were burnt in Lebanon; Emerson, who spoke for self-reliance and Thoreau who crusaded against slavery when it was illegal. It just needs a courageous act of unfettering and that allows us to discover our authentic self and true greatness.
Of course, it is different if you are interested only in becoming part of crowd rather seeking your own true personal greatness.
Choice is always yours.