Yesterday I wrote a post about ruthless compassion. The reason why that topic sprung to mind was because I read something from Osho and I really liked the courage and the ruthlessness he was displaying. I admire that.
This was what I read:
A man who lives through conscience becomes hard. A man who lives from consciousness remains soft. Why? Because a man who has some ideas about how to live, naturally becomes hard. He continually has to carry his character around himself. That character is like an armor; his protection, his security, his whole life is invested in that character. He always reacts to situation through the character, not directly. If you ask him a question, his answer is ready-made.
That is the sign of a hard person – he is dull, stupid, mechanical. He may be a good computer but he is not a man. You do something and he reacts in well-established way. His reaction is predictable, he is a robot.
The real man act spontaneously. If you ask him a question, your question gets a response, not a reaction. He opens his heart to your question, exposes himself to your question, responds to it.
Osho
A man who lives through conscience becomes hard. That is a pretty bold statement. In my mind conscience is relating to seeing right from wrong. But as I continue reading I realize Osho is right: in most cases our conscience becomes mixed up with our Judging Mind. Although I also feel that conscience is related to the heart I can see that our conscience can become contaminated by fear and we confuse what is right with what people say is right.
You can feel for the man with a conscience. Because it is clear that he wants to do the good thing and he ends up as a hard man. It is sad. But it is also good that somebody warns us in baldly chosen words. Because I can think a lot of us can relate to the description of the man who wears his character like an armor, and how he becomes fixed in his ideas, beliefs and responses.
I don’t know about you but I have been observing this predictability in character more and more since passing 30 and even more after 40. It seems that quite a few of us become solidified in their personality. I notice this especially when I am in an environment where there seems to be a collective code among ‘professionals’ to behave, act and speak a certain way. It can feel like a charade. It feels artificial, uncomfortable and sometimes even unsafe. A snake pit is the word that comes to mind.
Fortunately we have the option of becoming a real man. With in intention and practice we can dissolve our armor. Would you like to know how? Check out 12 Things Every Guy Should Master To Become A Real Man.
***
This is episode 44 in a series of 100 blog posts that will be published daily during the 100 Day Warrior, a unique program around physical strength, inner wisdom and meaning. All posts are written by Atalwin Pilon, founder of Basic Goodness and creator of the 100 Day Warrior. For requests for motivational speaking, in-company workshops, online coaching and mindfulness training click here. If you would like to join our international community of brave and inspiring human beings or just follow this blog and receive updates, please click here or sign up on the right side of the page. Atalwin specializes in coaching smart and creative people, both groups and individuals. If you are interested in a free coaching session click here.
Leave a Reply