Procrastination 3X: Humility & Family

Procrastination, Humility and Family Life

• Procrastination is a regressive human trait that hinders growth.
• Humility is the counter-balance to arrogance and helps overcome delay.
• Family Life needs timely action, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to thrive.

What Makes the Human Race Spiritually Unique and Deeply Misunderstood?

The Human Race is a very complex species. It represents the sum totality of all creation. Right from the characteristics of the lowliest of creatures, insects, birds, 4 legged animals to behavior patterns unheard or unknown to all of the remaining creation, man alone exhibits those instincts, characteristics, behaviour and expressions. This covers the entire gamut of the psychic spectrum. 

Having said that, it becomes all the more rare and extremely difficult to assess and concur on what can make this highly complex species light, peaceful and happy. We know that all species other than a miniscule percentage of the human race works on a more or less pre-programmed way of functioning with values such as Integrity, Morality, Truth being no bar. 

Much of the human race too falls beyond the scope of the Value system with just a few individuals as outliers. There is no respite in life and beyond if we as individuals do not strive to qualify as those outliers. In this video blog we cover three fundamental aspects namely Humility, Procrastination and Family Life.

The West is known for its sense of Individuality and the sense of Individual freedom. My stay in the west for a brief period, revealed this aspect of existence. Bharat, in which I grew up, did not have this approach towards living. Individuality and the sense of Individual freedom has its own pros and cons. The pros are of course; freedom to do what one wants and the freedom to choose from a range of options without anyone else’s approval.

You have the freedom to be your own Master. India today is vastly changing, I will not dare to say that it is for the good. It is a matter of opinion and consensus. Bharat is known more so, as the land of the Gods, the land of Vedas and the land of Spirituality.

Why Do Even the Gods Repeatedly Fail to Stay Humble?

Humility in approach is an aspect of Indian spirituality. It is at the core of all Vedic  teachings. The stories of Gods, as the west calls it; the Puranas, are full of anecdotes which highlight the buoyant behavior of Devatas (the Gods). Devatas often do not learn their lessons and become arrogant. They try to enjoy the pleasures of their land, the Devaloka or Svarga, as it is popularly known.

The Demons or Danavas, take advantage of this situation and attack Svarga and drive away its original inhabitants, the Devatas. This happens over and over again. The Devatas, become humble temporarily, they take the refuge of the One God and seek His help. The Supreme Lord accepts the prayers of the Devatas and reinstates the position of the Devatas in Svarga by infusing His undying vitality into the Devatas.

The Devatas win the war against the demons and regain their lost position. But alas, the cycle simply continues unabatedly.

How Does Arrogance Blind Us from the True Source of Success?

What do these Puranic anecdotes allude to? There is a higher principle referred to in these stories. Man is expected to be a host to great qualities, just as the Devatas in Svarga. But he is also heavily deficient in one aspect. 

The moment a man starts receiving things, comes to a commanding position, he loses perspective. He becomes arrogant and takes his gains for granted.

He does not delve deep into the primary causes of his gain. He develops innumerable blind-spots owing to arrogance. Arrogance by its very nature, clouds vision and intelligence.

One tries to find innumerable reasons for success and feels that he has hit upon the formula for power and success. Now strangely, all his formulas for success, whatever they may be, grossly mislead a being. Maya governs the 14 Spheres of Material Existence . Maya is, that which is not.

This is the stuff with which our senses are clouded. In Sanskrit, senses themselves are referred to as Maya.

With these fallible senses how is it possible to fathom reasons for success? Yet, there is another positive angle to this with which one can light up one’s blind spots.

If one takes a subservient position, to that which is the “SEER” of all things, that which science calls consciousness or which believers know as God, success can have a whole new meaning. It can become our very nature, in fact it is.

What Is True Humility and Why Is It Invisible to the World?

Humility is the nature of such success. Many people take humility to be nice or as just being humble to other humans. This is perhaps the most misunderstood concept, even in religion, today. Humility, when awakened deeply, is towards the Supreme alone. Even if one may not be considered by other humans as humble, it shall still be humility. 

Humility is inner bowing to The Lord present in the heart of every living entity. Such a humble soul, knows his own position as the lowliest among all beings and yet this secret may only be revealed to the Supreme Lord. It really does not matter what other humans think one to be. Humility is deep knowledge of one’s miniscule position with reference to Creation, nothing more. 

A humble looking person may be an ignorant one who is behaving humble but within his heart may hold a grudge or inner rejection of other beings. Such an individual is oblivious of the Almighty and is using his outer humble demeanor to get a certain material advantage over others, seeking position, possession or a certain edge over the rest of the world. Such beings are not worthy to qualify to be special in the eyes of the Supreme Being.

Why Is Real Humility Known Only to the Supreme Being?

Once humility develops in the real sense, the Supreme Being decides whether one should outwardly take a position of humility or not. True humility is only recognized by the Supreme Being and not by humans who are generally short-sighted and fallible.

A truly humble man can sometimes seem extremely arrogant, but this is only apparent. A humble man is one who is able to see things as they are. He is directed by the Supreme Being at all times. 

One need not worry particularly about one’s demeanor especially if one is extremely cognizant of the fact that he is watched over by the Supreme Being and that within his heart he is never taking anything for granted and is ever conscious of the fact that he too is fallible and takes himself to be an extremely lowly servant of the Lord.

If one realizes one’s truest position as nothing more than a speck in this vast cosmos, at all times, such a person shall certainly have the Grace of the Supreme. 

He is humble at his very core. Having covered one of the most important aspects of the essential fundamental Value System of Humility, let us look at the most regressive aspect among humans that keeps them from inner growth, pushing them to the depths of dishonesty and lies, the almost incorrigible  frivolity of procrastination, much against the spiritual quality of commitment .

Why Does Procrastination Destroy Purpose and Inner Growth?

Procrastination is the habit of postponing. This habit is rampant in every one of us, to some degree. Postponement of an activity, or a necessary task, is like not doing it anyway. This is similar to saying “Justice delayed is justice denied.” 

When one postpones an act, the effectiveness or the efficacy of that act is lost. If we are to administer a medicine due its expiry date, how can the medicine or drug be rendered effective? If one is to postpone activities, out of habit, none of the actions shall be half effective. This habit of delaying is also indicative of a serious issue of commitment within our system.

When we take up an activity and delay it, it means that we have not taken up the task with seriousness. If we have to run an errand, deliver a thing, the more we delay that activity, the usefulness or the desired outcome of that activity is seriously impaired. 

When things don’t happen on time, it reflects utter callousness in one’s approach. A man who procrastinates , is a man who is least bothered about the life process. He has not given enough attention to the philosophy of work. 

How Does Procrastination Damage Karma and Spiritual Integrity?

When work is not given its due importance and delivered at the right time, circumstances that develop around such a person, shall automatically be negative, unfavourable. Favorable conditions never build for the man who procrastinates.

A man who postpones, is not seen with an eye of regard or respect. He is seldom trusted upon and society does not respond favorably to the call of such a person.

Procrastination also indicates that the person has nothing to do with spirituality. A spiritual person never procrastinates. Spirituality and pro-activity are the two sides of the same coin. Procrastination is an indication of delay and decay. 

Work has lost its meaning for the one who postpones. It is important to understand that Karma is another name for work. Most of man’s character is built and determined based on one’s thoughts, words and finally actions.

Only right, prompt actions can trigger good Karma, karma that is potent enough to clear the webs of misfortune. Procrastination is also a habit that disrespects actions. 

What Does Procrastination Reveal About Your Character and Life Purpose?

When there is delay in delivering, it means that there is no power behind the thoughts of the person who postpones activity. This also means that the character of the “procrastinator” is weak and lacks tenacity. Building of character is necessary, before one is to become proactive in one’s approach towards life. 

Only through sustained practice of building a great character, does the attitude of pro-activity develop. When one has no regard for life, when one is purposeless, he wallows in procrastination. Such a person has a decayed approach towards life. 

A person, who understands the value of life and is continuously working his way towards a more fruitful life, shall automatically develop a proactive character. After having covered the two values of humility and procrastination, we shall see how important family life is and its connection with the spiritual process.

Why Is Your Family Life a Reflection of Your Inner Awareness?

The life process is in one’s hands and not dependent on fate or destiny as many believe. Fate and destiny are concepts that make their presence felt through unconscious behavioural patterns, procrastination for example.

When one is unconscious, mindless of one’s life processes, thoughts and actions, one blames ever so many things for the lack of peace and happiness in one’s life. People often blame other people, situations, one’s destiny and so many things for their failures, in both family life and at work.

One thing that people discount in their analysis of life is their own presence and their undue indulgence in life. Other than one’s own self, the blame is on the rest of the world. This is perhaps the most startling observation that one can make about one’s own life and also the life of others.

7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma

The scores generated in this Quiz may or may not be absolute. There may be right or wrong answers to each Question. A percentage towards 100 indicates that you are more aligned to the overall subject matter.

What Happens When Control Replaces Love in Family Life?

We see that certain people try to “take charge” of one’s life in all respects. They control their family members which include their own parents, spouse, and children. They do not allow anyone to be part of the decision-making process, whatsoever. If one were to observe one’s surroundings carefully, this is a common sight.

I have seen the man of the house interfere with things like, what the family should eat or not eat.

The male of the family is left to decide what should be cooked for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In some households, there are dominating females.

Also, he/she decides what his/her spouse shall wear and what games the children should play. The interference is so intrusive and domineering that one would feel that even an animal has more freedom.

Why Does Domination in Families Lead to Silent Suffering?

People try to dominate in every aspect of life and yet they remain sulking with growing dissatisfaction. One can suggest a good dress for one’s wife but should leave the choice to one’s wife. Same for the woman. 

If she is decently dressed then there remains nothing else for the man of the house to comment on.

At least basic things like the choice of dress and menu for lunch can be left on the wife or children to decide. Isn’t it?

How Can Spiritual Values Transform Family Relationships?

The interpersonal-relationship dynamics within the family should be based on spiritual values. Humility and elimination of Procrastination should be the hallmark that should dictate one’s family life. 

Respecting each other’s freedom and at the same time discussion on what is favourable and unfavourable for the family should be the cohesive decision, where not only the man and wife decide but the children should also be allowed to participate. This shall also allow the parents to understand the hearts of their wards and one can take necessary steps to improve the dynamics within the family. 

All the family members have to be Truthful and extremely transparent with one another and should have the freedom to voice their respective opinions. Above all, fear or forced respect should never be inculcated in children and unless the family members eat, discuss and pray together, such an open environment of trust can never become a reality.

How Can Spiritually-Rooted Parenting Inspire Lifelong Respect?

Parents should keep an eye on their children’s activities.The games children like to play, the movies they watch, the friends they interact with, the choice of dress, etc should not be detrimental for their overall character. 

It is also important that Parents should have such a close connection with their wards that the children automatically respect and respond positively to the inputs given to them by their parents. For such a thing to happen at the ground level, Parents should go an extra mile to influence their children positively such that their wards consider no one else other than their own parents as their role models. 

For this the Parents have to be spiritual evolved beings, who walk their talk and never go back on any of the principles that they have set for their family. Only when the children see their parents implement and adhere to every tiny aspect of those principles, will children look up to their parents.

Why Must Parents Pass the Test Before Guiding Their Children?

Children do not need parents to talk about the principles, rather they want to see their parents walk on the principles and see their parents succeed in coming out with flying colours. Children are actually the judges here and it is the Parents who have to pass the test and not the other way round. 

When this becomes a reality, there is no need for Parents to worry about their ward’s future because then the children shall follow their parents and shall strive to make the lofty spiritual principles as their second nature. There is no doubt about this.

How Can Parents Protect Children from Modern-Day Toxic Influences?

Parents should try and inculcate values to keep children grounded. Humility and shunning away Procrastination should be at the top of the priority list. This shall help children make the right choices in life without the Parents needing to make active choices for their wards. 

Additionally, must keep their children away from all invasive, and toxic elements and must actively participate in ensuring that the electronic media, social media and other influential mediums are curtailed from creating dents in the thought processes of children, because today this is the most challenging issue that haunts every household in the world.

Why Does Trying to Control Everything Tear Families Apart?

Now, the more people develop an interfering mindset, the more they remain dissatisfied. As a result, they become irritable  by nature. Their stress levels mount and they find themselves in the midst of relentless action and turmoil. 

A mere observation of the society sprawling around us is enough to reveal the Truth. The obvious learning from these observations of life is that the more one interferes with the natural flow of the life process, the more he/she shall suffer.

The more one tries to gain control over others and one’s own self, the more he shall lose control. Instead of gaining control over things that he would have naturally gained control of, he ends up losing control in all aspects of life. 

As a result, he subsequently disconnects from his family members on the physical, mental, and emotional plane as there remains no communion in the family. If the dominating personality carries forward for a long span, one shall lose health and mental well-being. This shall become the prime cause of a broken family.

Such a personality directly injures the fabric of the family. Children shall detest such parents and one’s spouse will consciously avoid striking any conversation.

Thus, he shall always remain disturbed, distressed, and dissipated.

How Does Surrendering Control Lead to True Family Harmony?

The best way to gain control is to surrender all control. The more one relaxes and stops interfering with other lives, the more shall the mind and body relax and experience rejuvenation.

This is the mantra to “gain” control. Also, one needs to understand that a person who allows life to flourish without trying to interfere with it, is a man of matured intelligence.

When bodily energies harmonize inwards rather than expending it on external activities, the more life-energies cooperate with you.

If an individual gives the necessary freedom to one’s family and allows them to flourish in line with their interests, (provided they are not toxic) there shall be real peace and happiness in that family.

The head of a family should only serve the family in his best capacity.

One should realize that the more one relinquishes the so-called rights and discharges only duty, the family shall automatically flourish.

One needs to be supportive and loving to everyone in the family. Spiritual Values and Lifestyle have a Positive impact on the Mind. There should be encouragement and inspiration in the family rather than domination and disparagement. 

Only when one renounces one’s selfish and self-centered attitude, can one dispose of the sense of ownership and domination.

This feeling that “one knows” what is good for the family, only when renounced, can there be amalgamation and synergy within the family.