Advait : I'm a little bit clear about Personality Development, but can you help me know more about it?

Vivek : Well, as we go through life, we see, feel, think, experience so many things. From birth to death so much change happens. In fact every minute our body cells are dying, and new ones being created. So also are our thoughts. Therefore a new flux of thoughts and living cells is generated every next instant. If everything about us is changing, how is it that we still feel we are the same, Advait? Understanding this is crucial to grasping what personality is all about!

Advait : Strange, I never gave a thought to that! Now, Vivek, you have set a whirlpool in my mind. Quickly, tell me what is that something that makes me feel the same person.

Vivek : Yes, Advait. On a little reflection, you will find that it is the consciousness of ‘I’, which remains intact in spite of all the changes in our body, mind, etc. Personality is associated with this consciousness of ‘I’. Wherever this sense of ‘I’ prevails, it becomes a part of our personality.

Advait : But, I'm often told in school that to groom my personality, I must look good and handsome, I must be polished in my behaviour and I must also be intelligent in studies. Am I correct in these thoughts, Vivek?

Vivek : Very correct, but that is not all there is towards Personality Development. Since, we are talking about development, we must progress from one level to another. Otherwise, where is development?

Advait : What are these levels that you are talking about?

Vivek : Looking beautiful and handsome is what appeals naturally to us. This is the first level of the human personality - the Physical dimension. Our sense of ‘I’ mostly centres round this physical dimension and hence, we tend to think that we are the body. So, the moment I think of Advait, the picture of your physical dimension first comes to my mind. But is that all about your self? Advait: No. This time I know better! Yesterday I was surfing on the net and came across some information on mummies. My friend was joking that Cleopatra looks just like ever, but there is definitely more to someone physically alive than dead!

Vivek: Yeah! That's true. You must have also thought at times how strange it is that you have a heart which beats incessantly, lungs which automatically breathe air and cells which function of themselves. What drives these organs? What is the source of that motive power in you which works without your conscious effort? Yet another dimension of your personality - the Energy dimension, comprising a vital force which propels your body into action. The body without the aid of this Energy dimension cannot move an inch of itself.

Advait: I do have friends who are physically strong and athletically built, but I don't find all such persons being interesting friends. So, there is definitely more to the human personality than the physical and energy dimensions also.

Vivek : Right, Advait. You have just stumbled onto another dimension of personality - the Mental dimension. Shall we understand this dimension a little more clearly?

Advait : Of course! Vivek :The mental dimension imagines and forms concepts. It also stores all impressions of our thoughts and actions as though in a large lake. Every thought and action creates a ripple in this lake. This lake is our Memory or Chitta. The total sum of the impressions in the Chitta constitute our character. Another aspect of the mind which construes various patterns of impressions continuously pouring in it is called the Manas. Imagination and formation of concepts are functions of the Manas. Advait : The first boy of our class is quite different from most of us. He seems to carry with him a different personality altogether. I cannot relate to this difference in terms of the dimensions you have mentioned. He is very strongly moral, intelligent and decisive. He never attempts cheating under any circumstances. Teachers praise him lavishly in the class. At times I wish I were more like him. Is it something to do with personality development?

Vivek : To develop your personality, you do not have to be like anyone else. You have to develop along your own lines. However, you have to develop all the dimensions of your personality equally well. The first boy of your class seems to have maintained purity of mind. He must surely have his Intellectual dimension very well developed, which makes him so distinctive. Advait : What is the Intellectual dimension?

Vivek :The Intellectual dimension is the faculty of reasoning which is all the while engaged in a search. It is like the radar of an information highway. This dimension decides what is good and what is bad for ourselves. Based on the choices that this dimension makes, we decide the course of our lives. It is the decision-maker as well as the ego, which identifies with objects and situations. It includes or excludes things from its identification. Because of this aspect we say ‘my car’, ‘ my house’, etc. and we also say ‘not my community’, ‘not my country’, etc. Thus, we identify with a car or a house as mine and do not identify with a country or a community as mine. In either case, we either include or exclude, depending on our choice to identify. When this dimension thinks and reasons out things, it is called Buddhi and when it resolves to act according to that reason, it is called Ahamkaara.

Advait : So, I have come to know of four dimensions of my personality - Physical, Energy, Mental and Intellectual. You say that each of these dimensions go on to build a great personality.

Vivek : What I am trying to say is that we need to build up a harmonious personality. You see, you may become great by developing any one of these dimensions. Grooming your physical dimension alone may make you a great athlete or a model, but your intellectual dimension might be neglected. That makes you incomplete and you experience a sense of incompleteness within. Therefore there is the need to develop a harmonious personality for a fulfilled and blissful life. Well, talking about bliss reminds me that I have to tell you about the fifth dimension of our personality. Any guess, what it could be?

Advait : None at all! I have absolutely no idea how bliss and personality can find a place together.

Vivek : Well now with exams just being over, there is no pressure of studies and a vacation is on the cards with plenty of playtime for you. With the idea of such a great time waiting for you, what do you experience?

Advait : Need I tell you? My mind is anxietyless and free at last! In the mornings I tell Mom “ What a peaceful sleep I had yesterday night". But what does that have to do with personality?

Vivek : Interesting, isn’t it? You experience bliss but know of it only when you come out of deep sleep. According to Indian ethos, this is the fifth dimension of the human personality - the Blissful dimension. The peace that you experience in deep sleep is characteristic of this dimension. We also experience the same satisfaction, when we get absorbed deeply in art or music or work.

 Advait : Great ! All this is very enlightening.

Vivek : But you get real enlightenment only when you go beyond all these dimensions and realise that your Divine nature. This is the summit point in your journey of Personality Development. The rest are only milestones on the way.

Advait : Divine? What is that?

Vivek : At the core of our personality is Divinity. Let's understand Divinity. We seem to have a compelling desire to experience happiness all the time. So, we are trying to remove all kinds of uncertainty from our lives. And we do it through knowledge. One reason why you are studying is that you want to acquire knowledge so that you know how to gain mastery over situations and rise above uncertainty of the future. You study Geography so that you may remove your ignorance about different parts of the world and this knowledge makes you happy. The more you feel like a master of circumstances, the more happy you feel and the more happy you feel, the more longer you want to live…….till it becomes a compelling desire with you to live forever and experience happiness. But, that does not happen at your physical dimension or any of the other dimensions. At the same time, you cannot ignore the call which desires to remain happy and abundantly so, for all times to come. Tell me, who would work so hard if they really knew that it all ends with death? Not a single person, I believe. We are all somehow under the belief that we are going to live forever. This is the call of the Divine dimension. You may not know it. You may not see it. But you can not ignore it !

Advait : All this about knowing and feeling happy sounds very interesting. But tell me, if Divinity is lying hidden in me, why cannot I sense it? I do not feel Divine when exams are approaching, and the pressure is high.

Vivek : Yes, it is true that we do not feel Divine under the pressure of everyday life. We normally feel so overwhelmed by circumstances. That is because we have not realised that we are Divine. Those who have done, remain unshaken and happy even in the midst of difficulties. There is so much interplay of energy in the nucleus of every matter; can you see that? You cannot! Only when this energy is harnessed and used to produce electricity, you realise what a great source of power lies in the nucleus. Similarly, there is a source of immense strength and happiness lying hidden in us. When we come to tap this source, we no longer feel so weak. To get to this source of power, you have to know how to harness it. Then, while others work ‘for happiness’, you will work ‘from happiness’. Isn’t that great?

Advait : It gives great hope. I would like to know how I could manifest this Divinity. I do not think it is so simple to express our Divinity.

Vivek : Once you are convinced that the goal of life is to realise our Divine nature, things become very simple. Then, every thought and action can be directed towards this goal. Making choices in life also becomes simple. We start choosing only those thoughts and actions which lead us towards our goal.

Advait : You have not answered my important question. If things become so easy after expressing our Divinity, then it must be really difficult to do that.

Vivek : That is what I just said! It is not difficult if you understand that expressing our Divinity is the goal of life. You may choose to be a doctor or a businessman in life and your profession could be a path to expressing your inherent Divine nature. For that, you have to develop your character.

Advait : Just a moment, what do you mean by developing character? My character is either good or bad; how can I develop something, which is already created? Moreover, what does character have to do with Divinity?

Vivek : A lot! In the first place, you are wrong in believing that character of a person remains either good or bad throughout life. In fact, we call it good when it helps to express Divinity and bad, when it blocks our Divine nature. Secondly, as I told you earlier, we are inherently Divine beings. Nothing is actually impossible for us. It is just because this Divine nature of ours is blocked, that we face obstruction. The moment we remove the blockages to our Divinity, our job is done. It is just as the case of a bright lamp being covered by many dark sheets of cloth. As you keep removing the sheets, light starts pouring out into the room. Similarly, as you start removing the blockages to Divinity, your Divine nature starts shining forth. This removal of the blockages is development of character.

Advait : Could you tell me what these blockages are?

Vivek : Let us take a very easy approach. Instead of focusing on the blockages, we shall put our attention on what enables the manifesting of Divinity. It is just like going to the east, takes you away from the west automatically. So, practising an enabler automatically causes the blockages to recede.

Advait : Yes, that should be a more convenient approach. So, what is the enabler?

Vivek : Unselfishness. This whole world is one, seen from the vantage point of Divinity. So, we need to connect to this Oneness. The more oneness we feel with everyone, the more strong and peaceful we shall become. And the best way to affirm this oneness is to become more and more unselfishness. Connecting to people, reaching out to others, serving others and all other deeply humanistic impulses are born out of this concept of oneness. So, as we become progressively unselfish, we will be wonder-struck how amazingly interesting life can become. As we change inside, the world outside also changes !

Advait : Please go on, Vivek. I need this knowledge to be successful and happy. Surely, you do not want to deprive me of that. Tell me one thing; Is it possible to be so virtuous and yet be successful in today’s world?

Vivek : Interestingly, Advait, success now becomes so very easy since as you express your Divinity, you find the right opportunities flowing towards you. You are here on earth to realise your Divine nature through a path. This path is your destiny. Till, your choices in life match your destiny, you will face friction. That is why you often find successful people changing their professions at the fag end of their career. They had their destiny elsewhere. When we remove the blockages to Divinity and thereby develop our character, we are carried towards our destiny.

Advait : I need some more input on character. How should I build my character?

Vivek : Character is the sum total of the tendencies that we have acquired till the present moment. If I ask you to play, you can go on doing that for three hours or more at a stretch. But, if your teacher asks you to sit quietly in the class for just fifteen minutes, it becomes such an awful punishment. Why? Because, till the present moment, we have been building tendencies towards action only. We have never given any time to silence. So, our character is oriented towards action alone. But, our character can be changed. To express our Divinity, what we need to do is to create those tendencies in us, which are good, and put a stop to those tendencies which are bad.

Advait : How do I change my character when it is so strongly present in me? I do want to change, but I find it so difficult. I want to study and do well in my exams, but as you rightly said my tendencies force me to only seek sports. I feel so miserable at times before exams. Can I really do something about it?

Vivek : Of course, you can, Advait. There is a technique of character development, which you must understand first. Like so many other children of your age, do you also dream of a Mercedez Benz? Is that your dream car?

Advait : I swear, Vivek, the cars of some of my neighbours really drive me crazy. I keep telling Papa to buy a luxury car for us. But, you know, he always insists on simple living and high thinking. He is contended with his old model. My dream car, of course, is a Mercedez Benz.

Vivek : Ok, never mind your father’s attitude. He has his experience of a lifetime to make decisions. But, how did this dream arise?

 Advait : Well, I used to think how nice it would be if I could have a car to myself for going to school and ...

Vivek : That’s it! Thought! It first begins in thought. This thought then grows and translates into action. I know of a person, who went on to do business in life, just because he thought he would be happiest when he would own a Rolls Royce. Therefore, Advait, the first step in character development is to take care of what we think. As we think, so we act. These actions, when repeated over a period of time, become habits. Habits are the foundation of tendencies. If one has a habit of coming late to school, he will have this tendency even when he joins a job. And, then, people call him a ‘latecomer’. It gets labelled as his character. Where did it begin? The thought that reaching late is not an important issue. So, from thought to action to habits to tendencies to character - this is how character grows and develops.

Advait : And this character will decide how capable we are of expressing our Divinity. If the character is negative, Divinity will get blocked. Therefore, I must avoid negative thoughts and actions. I now realise why my mother always asks me to read good books and keep good company. This will allow me to have good thoughts and then, my actions will also be noble and constructive.

Vivek : There is also another factor. It is a law, which we must know. Ignorance of this law cannot make us escape from it. According to this law, over a period of time, we experience the reaction of every thought, action and intention that we engage in. We will get in the same measure as we give out to the world. Our destiny is being constantly created under the guidance of this law. Whatever we think, wish or act goes on to create our destiny. In that sense, our destiny is not a fixed future awaiting us. We are creating it constantly. If we give out love and compassion, we will find love coming to us. If we help others, we will find help coming to us surprisingly from unexpected sources. So, the secret of a joyful life is - think and do good and help all those who are trying to do good.

Advait : I think I understand what you mean. There is such a lot to do now. But I do not know how to begin. Could you give me some tips?

Vivek : To begin, you have to understand what are the means you have. Then, harness them to reach your goal. So, what do you think are the means you have?

Advait : I have my books, my parents have money and I also have a house and a car. These are my means.

Vivek : No, I am talking about your primary means. Your books can be torn, your parents may refuse you the money you want, you may be asked to vacate your house and the car might be sold away. Is there still something left to you, which none can claim?

Advait : I do not follow you. What else can I have?

Vivek : Why, you still have a body and a mind with which you can create a new future. You can again earn money, buy books, build a house and purchase a new car. No one can claim your body and mind from you. There is also a third resource, which you have.

Advait : I have absolutely no idea.

Vivek : Oh, no, you know it too well. But, most of us pay little importance to it. It is Time, a very precious resource.

Advait : Ok, so we have three primary means - body, mind and time. What next?

Vivek : We have to use these resources to reach our goal in life. Of these, the mind is the prime resource for a human being. It is with the help of the mind that all creation becomes possible. All progress in the world is the result of the working of the human mind. In our journey of personality development, harnessing the mind is of great importance.

Advait : And how does one do that?

Vivek : Through mind sensitivity and mind control.

Advait : What do you mean by mind sensitivity?

Vivek : One thing you will surely appreciate is that we understand the world through our mind. We measure the world through our mind and to accurately understand the world around us, we need a sensitive mind. For example, if a scale has only centimetres marked on it, you cannot expect it to measure a millimetre of cloth. Similarly, if our mind is not sensitive, we cannot perceive reality as it is.

Advait : I still cannot follow you. How can I only measure reality with a sensitive mind?

Vivek : Every morning you get up to see the sun rising in the east. By the time dusk sets in, the sun has shifted to the west. So, shall we say that the sun revolves round the earth from east to west?

Advait : I am not that ignorant, Vivek! Come on, I am too grown up to answer that question. We all know that the earth revolves round the sun.

Vivek : Sorry, Advait. I did not intend to hurt you. I was only trying to tell you that what you now know so well was considered absurd some centuries ago. Before Galileo came up with the discovery that the earth revolves round the sun, people believed that it was the other way round. After all, the apparent reality is that the sun moves round the sun. It required a sensitive mind like that of Galileo to look beyond the apparent and find out that the earth revolves round the sun. It is the same with all discoveries. The earth looks flat and still, but sensitive minds have found out that the earth is oval and is spinning at great speed on its axis. Do you now realise the importance of mind sensitivity? Only a sensitive mind can look beyond the apparent and understand reality as it is. The more sensitive the mind, the more it can grasp subtle truths.

Advait :Really, we often do not realise how important it is to train the mind. You also talked about mind control. Could you explain that too?

Vivek : Yes. Mind sensitivity is important to see beyond apparent reality and discover truth, but if we do not have the capacity to stand the power of truth, how does it help? You may develop so much mind sensitivity that you can understand the mind of others. As a result, you will get to understand their motives and intentions, which others are not aware of. This might drive you crazy. With mind control, you do not get blown off your feet. Subtle truths of this universe can be mind-boggling. So, if you do not have sufficient control over your mind, you will be bewildered. As you sensitise your mind, you grow in knowledge. As a result, more power, wealth and fame starts knocking at your doorstep. If you do not have control, you might fall a prey to greed and violence and cause a disaster to yourself.

Advait : But, how does one achieve mind sensitivity and mind control?

Vivek : By the practice of meditation, the mind grows in sensitivity and control. But, meditation won’t be effective unless you start removing the blockages to Divinity. This is called purification of mind. A pure mind is free from the pressure of the senses and is not misled into anything wrong. As one purifies the mind, sensitivity awakens in a person and when he practises meditation with such a mind, mind control comes naturally to him.

Advait :But tell me one thing. Scientists like Einstein and others did not practise meditation. Then, how did they come up with such discoveries? Did they also have sensitivity of mind?

Vivek : A very interesting question! Of course, they had sensitivity of mind. Otherwise, how would it be possible for them to discover such profound truths? The fact of the matter is when you become very absorbed in a subject, the mind settles down to a state of one-pointedness, which is very close to meditation. The story goes that Sir Jagadish Bose, the renowned Indian scientist, was one day visited by his student. For a long time, the student waited for the scientist to acknowledge his presence. J.C. Bose, however, was so absorbed in his attention to a plant that he seemed totally forgetful about his surroundings. He was the first scientist who discovered that plants were sensitive. So, the scientist’s sensitivity of mind comes through constant absorption in a subject. Some scientists, like Einstein, would be so absorbed in research that even meals were forgotten for several days. Through meditation, however, this sensitivity is awakened in an easier way. Such a sensitive mind can see through any mystery of the universe.

Advait : How is mind control achieved through meditation?

Vivek : Suppose a boat is tossing in water. It is being swayed to and fro by the wavy waters of the sea. Now, the boatman wants to make the boat steady. What will he do?

Advait : Well, he will just have to anchor the boat securely to the shore.

Vivek : Exactly! What the boatman has done is that he has connected the boat to a stable object - the shore. That is the secret of mind control. To balance our mind, which is so unsteady, we have to come in contact with the source of stability. This source is our Divinity and it is eternally changeless and steady. In meditation, we focus our attention on the Divine core within us. As we succeed in this, we slowly experience steady calmness coming to us. Then, this calmness flows into every action of ours and we achieve perfection in whatever we undertake. Mind control, thereby, becomes habitual. This connecting to the Divine is called Yoga. Yoga means union; to unite with our Divinity.

Advait : Really? I thought Yoga was something to do with keeping the body fit.

Vivek : There are various types of Yoga. What you mention is commonly referred to as Hathayoga. This has nothing to do directly with expressing our Divinity, except making the body fit for the practice of the four-fold Yoga.

Advait : I have never heard about the four-fold Yoga. How does it help in personality development?

Vivek : Your question brings us to the action-plan for personality development. The four yogas comprise the path to realising your full potential. It is your road-map to expressing the Divine Self.

Advait : And what are these four yogas?

Vivek : Karma Yoga or the Yoga of action, Jnana Yoga or the Yoga of knowledge, Bhakti Yoga or the Yoga of devotion and Raja Yoga or the Yoga of meditation. Would you like me to elaborate them to you?

Advait : Yes, very much.

Vivek : Karma Yoga advocates action done in the spirit of service to the Divine. The idea is that when we work for the benefit of others unselfishly, we greatly benefit, since we are all one.

Advait : You mean we are all human beings and so we are one race.

Vivek : That may be a good idea to begin with, but research in Indian ethos states that we are really all one at the level of the Divine. It is not a mere emotional feeling. It can actually be experienced when we have expressed our Divinity completely. Those who realised that they were Divine were filled with love for the entire cosmos. They feel one with not only the human race, but with entire creation.

Advait : Is it possible for everyone to experience this oneness?

Vivek : Indeed, it is possible! You can too! Today, Science has proved conclusively that all creation is an expression of Energy. If you had the sense organ to perceive Energy, you would see me and yourself melting into one field of Energy. There would be no separation between us. But, scientists also recognise that this Energy is inert. It cannot create of its own. To create, Consciousness is necessary. So, where did this Energy come from? Therefore, modern science, especially Quantum Science, has gone beyond Energy into Consciousness. Researchers in Indian ethos realised this truth ages ago. Their method of investigation revealed that at the root of creation is Consciousness or Conscious Energy. This Consciousness is Divinity and we all originate from this source and therefore, we all are one. As we go away from this source, we experience separation. When through the journey of Personality Development, we realise that we are Divine, we become one with the entire universe. Then, I can even hear the sound of the footsteps of the ant, for am I also not the ant in another form? Interestingly, this experience has a name. Like to know it?

Advait : Of course!

Vivek : Perhaps, you will be pleasantly surprised. It is called the experience of Advaita. Now, do you know what you stand for, Advait?

Advait : Really? I was never aware that my name has such an important meaning. That's great! Thanks, Vivek.

Vivek : Yes, Advait. It has a great meaning for life. As a result of this experience, limitless love for everyone comes to our heart. That is why, researchers in Indian ethos state that to make life easy and simple, envelop everything in the world with the Divine. In other words, look upon everyone and everything as your own self.

Advait : Nothing could be more wonderful! If I realise that I am one with everyone, I will succeed in overcoming all my negative tendencies like anger, hatred, etc. So, how do I practise Karma Yoga?

Vivek : Try to cultivate a spirit of service in your daily life and later in your profession. If you become a doctor, treat your patients as if you were serving the Divine; if you become a businessman, create wealth for society and help the needy; as a student, study sincerely so that you can add to the knowledge of the country. The Action plan requires you to do two specific things right now: thirty minutes of physical exercise and at least one unselfish act everyday.

Advait : I understand how important the spirit of service is in today’s world. In the business segment of newspapers, I often read about customer satisfaction. It is important to be driven by a spirit of service to achieve that. What about Jnana Yoga that you were just mentioning?

Vivek : This Yoga of knowledge sharpens and refines our intellect. By constant engagement of the intellect, we determine what is right from wrong, what is long-term from what is short-term and what is real from what is unreal. We then choose to act. In this Yoga, anything that takes us away from expressing our Divinity is avoided as false and everything that takes us towards our goal is embraced as true. Finally, the intellect is established in this understanding and automatically takes us towards our goal. Again, the Action Plan requires you to read books on Self-Development everyday - ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening. This is your first step.

Advait : You also mentioned Bhakti Yoga. Tell me about that also.

Vivek : We all have a lot of emotional energy. This energy is not channelised properly and is wasted. Bhakti Yoga gives us the path to utilise this power of emotions to express our Divinity. This Yoga says that there is a great storage of love in the Divine, which you need to experience and feel fulfilled. When you taste this love, you find yourself full of love for the entire universe. You overcome hatred and bitterness and are completely at peace with yourself.

Advait : What should I do to experience this love of the Divine?

Vivek : The Action Plan gives you something to start with. First, try to cultivate a spirit of surrender to the Divine. Understand that the Divine knows you much better than how you understand your mind. However you must use your resources of body, mind and time to act. Whatever happens to you is through the Divine will and is, therefore, in your best interest. This attitude will bring about a great change in you. You will become very positive in life and convert stumbling blocks into stepping stones. As a routine, pray to the Divine for five minutes twice daily. Pray with love and devotion, knowing that the Divine responds to your prayers and grants those which will take you towards the goal.

Advait : Yes, I know the benefit of prayer. When I pray in the morning Assembly and start my classes, I feel someone is always there to take care of me. This gives me strength, particularly during my class-tests !

Vivek : That’s very inspiring. Now make your personal prayer a regular feature of your daily life and watch what amazing transformation takes place in you. I will now tell you about Raja Yoga or the Yoga of meditation.

Advait : I am very curious to know about meditation. It is being talked about everywhere these days, but I know little about it.

Vivek : Meditation is the supreme way of connecting with the Divine. You see our mind is like a lake. When the lake is full of wavy ripples, it is not possible to see the deepest layers of the lake. These ripples are the various thought waves that fill our mind every now and then. But, when the waves have settled and the lake is calm, it is very easy to see into the depths of the lake. We cannot realise our Divinity because our mind is turbid with all sorts of thoughts. When our mind is clear of all disturbances, our Divinity shines through. Meditation achieves this. Through meditation, it is possible to calm the uncontrolled mind and finally realise our Divine nature. The Personal Action Plan requires you to meditate for five minutes twice daily.

Advait : So, if I meditate and my mind becomes calm, I should be able to concentrate better in my studies.

Vivek : Not only studies, you will be able to perform any job better and better everyday. This in one of the many benefits of undertaking the journey to Personality Development. There is one other great benefit that accrues to you.

Advait : Oh great ! What is that?

Vivek : On following the Personal Action Plan of this programme, Panchasheela starts to develop in you.

Advait : What is Panchasheela?

Vivek : Panchasheela is a strong, five pillar foundation of your personality. It comprises Self Confidence, Self Reliance, Self Knowledge, Self Control and Self Sacrifice.

Advait : Could you please explain them in details?

Vivek : Let us take Self Confidence first. We know that confidence is associated with strength. We do feel confident at various moments of time. I may build a grand mansion and feel confident. My neighbours look at my house with awe and that may cause my confidence to increase. For a moment, imagine that I had built this house in Phuket. What happened in Phuket a few years back? Do you remember? It made newspaper headlines.

Advait : Yes, there was this devastating Tsunami, which washed away several homes. Oh, no ! The house would have gone !

Vivek : What would have been the state of my confidence, then? I would be in an all time low in terms of confidence. The same thing happens when we base our confidence on wealth, power or knowledge, since these may leave us any moment; we never quite know when! So, we understand that confidence based on external things is possible, but it is not permanent. So, we need a permanent source of strength to feel confident under all circumstances.

Advait : Is there such a source of strength?

Vivek : Yes, it is your Divinity. Divinity is a source of undecaying strength in you, which you will experience as you express it. Once you base your confidence on your Divinity, you will find an inner assurance growing in you.

Advait : Let us now move on to Self Reliance. What does that mean?

Vivek : I mentioned about our primary resources. Do you remember what they are?

Advait : Yes, I do. They are body, mind and time.

Vivek : Correct. When we use these primary resources alone to achieve anything in life, without cheating in any activity, we achieve Self Reliance. When Self Reliance comes to us, we also start succeeding in life.

Advait : But how will this Self Reliance come to me?

Vivek : When you have Self Knowledge. As you begin to experience that you are not a tiny speck of dust on earth, at the mercy of nature, but a Divine being with infinite potential, you will automatically be Self reliant. This Self Knowledge that you are Divine will awaken Self Confidence and Self Reliance in you.

Advait : Vivek, I feel I must really become serious about expressing my Divinity. Life becomes so simple with that. I think I understand the fourth pillar of Panchasheela, that is Self Control. Does it mean controlling my passions?

Vivek : Yes, it means controlling yourself in the midst of temptations, which take you away from Divinity. But, only when you understand the importance of Self Control, you will practise it. Imagine that you are driving a car at great speed in the busy Connaught Place area of Delhi. While you are enjoying the thrill of speed, it suddenly occurs to you that the brake of the car is not working. What happens? God forbid, an accident ! Self Control is like that brake, which we apply to avoid accidents in life. But, there is more to Self-Control than just applying the brake. It also means that slavery to any strong desire or habit recedes. So one is free from compulsive actions. A truly great feeling!

Advait : That is an absolutely new insight. One more pillar remains - Self Sacrifice. What do I need to sacrifice to build my personality?

Vivek : You wouldn’t have said that had you realised that you are already sacrificing. You go to school everyday. For that, you get up early in the morning, carry a bagful of load, come home to sit down on your study and do the homework, sacrificing games that you so thoroughly enjoy. Are you doing these only for yourself? No, you aren’t. You want to study and create a good career so that you land up in a nice job. Will you earn only for yourself? You won’t. You want to see your parents and other family members happy. Are you not sacrificing for your family? What prompts this sacrifice? Love. When love comes to us for any person, sacrifice becomes natural. We have restricted this love to a few persons only, with whom we identify. When we expand this love beyond our family and friends, Self Sacrifice becomes effortless for us. Growing in love is the first necessity before you learn to sacrifice. The patriots of pre-independent India could even sacrifice their lives, because they were strongly in love with the motherland. When we realise that we are all one at the level of Divinity, we become filled with love for the entire universe. We can then, sacrifice for others without reservation.

Advait : That was the last pillar of Panchasheela. I understand what you told me. I have to get on to the journey of Personality Development earnestly now.

Vivek : That’s excellent, Advait. I have spoken volumes by now. My efforts will be worthwhile only if you seriously get on to the journey. I can assure you success and happiness as a reward of this journey.

Advait : Thanks, Vivek. You have taken pains to explain me the concept and tools of Personality Development. I assure you of my complete sincerity. I will start with the Personal Action Programme right today. I really want success and happiness for myself and I know I can achieve it by expressing my Divinity.

Vivek : Good! My best wishes go with you. I am always there, whenever you need help on the way. You can also reach me by email on iqf@iqfindia.org. Till then, good bye and take care !