Self-fulfilling prophecies

Reena got up thinking about her sister Tejas. She felt that what Tejas said was totally unfair. The bad feeling just built up within her. She thought of what she should tell Tejas the next time they met. She carefully planned out her response.

A few hours later, they met. Tejas was oblivious to what was going on in Reena's mind. Reena thought that she would just let that previous comment pass. She would not talk about it. She smiled and joined in the small talk. Yet, the atmosphere was tense. It was as if Tejas could read her mind. Reena felt that there was none of the cordiality that normally permeated their encounters. Then she became impatient and urged Tejas to put away her mobile because it was distracting her. Tejas said nothing. Reena felt guilty. She analysed the situation. What had happened now? It was her own bad feeling that made her act so tensely. Now what she feared was becoming true. A rift was developing between them. All because she had allowed the story in her head to get the better of her.

Do you think that our thoughts influence our relationships? Has the story in your head ever affected a relationship? Would you like to share that experience?

A mirror shatters

I was walking by the TV in our living room when a snippet from the iconic Bruce Lee movie  - "Enter the dragon" captured my attention. It was the legendary scene of the mirrors; Lee moving warily as the enemy hides amidst his numerous reflections. Then an idea enters Lee's mind that propels him into action. Though I don't remember it word for word, it went something like this - "Break the false image and the enemy will be defeated." I stopped in my tracks as I pondered about this precious wisdom.

People have an idea in their head about who they are. This self image is actually just a bunch of thoughts about themselves. Eventually people get so attached to these images that they gradually lose sight of their real essence. In ourselves and in others, these false images create barriers that separates'I' from 'you' and fosters enemity and hatred. I was being reminded that when we let go of the false images, the idea of 'enemy' itself dissolves. We are all one in essence. There is no enemy. 😊