Identifying and Eliminating The Toxicity within Oneself

            

Toxicity has always existed in the society . It is a product of the human mind which stems from negative thoughts. A zillion thoughts engulf the  mind each day, which give rise to a myriad emotions that influence a person's behavior. There is some amount of toxicity in every individual, no matter how good one is. Ironically, the presence of toxicity is always identified in others rather than the self.  The emotions commonly associated with toxicity are anger, greed, insecurity and envy but apart from these 'self pity' is also one of the most common toxic feeling one can harbour. 

Individuals who are at the recieveing end  in a toxic environment often seek help. But people who vent  their negativity  by exploding on others fail to  identify the  toxicity within themselves. They justify their inappropriate behaviour by blaming others. The Bhagwad Gita teaches individuals  to identify the negative emotions in oneself and cleanse the heart and mind through meditation and prayer.  Everybody experiences  negativity at the most difficult phases of life but identifying the negative thoughts  and eliminating them by exercising control over the mind will prevent people from destroying relationships. 

Introspection is the key to overcome negativity. Prayer and meditation are the two medicines that  can help us get rid of toxicity. We use one finger to point at the mistakes of others but forget that the other four are pointing towards us. When people take accountability for their thoughts, speech and actions, there will be a healthy environment for all to thrive. If we focus our senses inwards in search of the divine  situated within us as Paramatma, we shall find eternal happiness and the chaos of the outside world will fail to stir up our emotions. We can always be happy , calm and peaceful only when we discover our inner light; connect with the Supreme being situated in our hearts.

When  toxic thoughts give rise to feelings of insecurity, fear, helplessness, anger, despair, envy, vengeance, hatred, etc,., remembering the name of the divine acts as a process of self purification and elevates us towards the higher self.

Bg. 4.10

वीतरागभयक्रोधा मन्मया मामुपाश्रिताः ।
बहवो ज्ञानतपसा पूता मद्भ‍ावमागताः ॥ १० ॥

vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā
man-mayā mām upāśritāḥ
bahavo jñāna-tapasā
pūtā mad-bhāvam āgatāḥ

Translation

Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me – and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.

Are You Growing Together Or Growing Apart?

 

Life always teaches us valuable lessons through the experiences we go through provided we are willing to listen . These experiences help us grow as individuals, shaping our identity, thoughts, beliefs, priorities, likes and dislikes. The values instilled by parents largely influence the thoughts and beliefs of the members of family but as they venture into the outside world meeting new people, embracing new environments their perspectives also change.

 Individuals realise that they no longer relate to each other because of the transformation in their perception of life. This is the time when relationships tend to fall apart and conflicts arise due to differences. People become judgemental and start criticizing,  instead of understanding and supporting each other. Familial ties weaken and the unconditional love which a family is supposed to give gradually withers away.

The secret to maintaining healthy relationships in this ever-changing world is Acceptance. All we need to do is to acknowledge each other’s needs and  perspectives, respecting each other for the choices they have made and the path they have chosen. We all can grow together, only when there is mutual love and respect.

Growing together or growing apart is always a choice one has to make . If you are struggling with relationships, pause for a moment and ask yourself, are you growing together or growing apart?