When you feel unworthy || Acharya Prashant, with DU (2022)

Acharya Prashant

13 Apr 202219:07

Summary

TLDRIn this profound discourse, the speaker addresses the struggle of personal growth amidst life's challenges, drawing parallels to the epic battle in the Bhagavad Gita. They encourage the listener to recognize the enormity of their internal battle against centuries of history and human evolution, emphasizing that perseverance, not immediate success, is the true measure of victory. The speaker advocates for a disdain for results, celebrating the dignity in the struggle itself, and advises against measuring self-worth by worldly standards. The conversation serves as a call to embrace the journey with self-esteem, even in the face of repeated defeat.

Takeaways

🌟 The Gita's discourse on life and death is profound and sets it apart as special.
🏡 The realization of living within the confines of four walls and the impact it has on one's life is a significant theme.
💪 The struggle to break free from routine and explore new things is a common human experience.
😔 Feelings of failure and self-doubt are addressed, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion.
🚀 The concept of 'nishkama karma' is introduced, which encourages action without attachment to results.
🏔 Comparing one's progress to climbing Mount Everest illustrates the difficulty and slow pace of meaningful change.
🌱 The idea that the attempt itself is a victory, regardless of the outcome, is a central message.
🌍 The world's focus on quick success and winners is critiqued, urging a reevaluation of what constitutes success.
🐕 Using the analogy of a dog wagging its tail to illustrate that different beings have different standards of success.
🔮 The importance of developing resilience and a thick skin when facing repeated defeats and challenges is highlighted.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Gita as mentioned in the script?
-The Gita is described as special due to its profound discourse on life and death, which is symbolically represented as happening on a battlefield, emphasizing its real and impactful nature.
Why does the speaker feel they have been living within the 'four walls of the house'?
-The speaker feels they have been living within the confines of their home, which has led to a realization of the negative impact this has had on their life, causing them to feel trapped and unfulfilled.
What is the speaker's struggle with household tasks and personal growth?
-The speaker is struggling with leaving behind household tasks to create time for personal growth and learning, but feels they are unable to make significant progress or explore new things.
How does the speaker view their own efforts and progress?
-The speaker views their efforts as insufficient and sees themselves as a failure, feeling they have wasted time and are unable to improve themselves.
What historical and evolutionary challenges does the speaker acknowledge facing?
-The speaker acknowledges facing centuries of history and millions of years of human evolution, particularly the female body's evolution, as part of their struggle.
Why does the speaker feel that even a stalemate is considered a victory?
-The speaker feels that even a stalemate is a victory because they are up against immense challenges, and maintaining a stalemate against such odds is an achievement in itself.
What is the concept of 'nishkama karma' as discussed in the script?
-'Nishkama karma' refers to the dignity in the right struggle with a great disdain towards results, suggesting that the focus should be on the effort rather than the outcome.
Why should the speaker be disdainful of the results according to the script?
-The speaker should be disdainful of the results because they are often against them, trying to break their faith, and maintaining indifference is not enough in the face of such challenges.
What does the script suggest about measuring success or failure?
-The script suggests not measuring success or failure based on worldly standards, as these benchmarks can be misleading and do not account for the unique challenges each individual faces.
How does the script compare the speaker's struggle to climbing Mount Everest?
-The script compares the speaker's struggle to climbing Mount Everest, indicating that progress will be slow and the attempt itself is a victory, rather than merely reaching the peak.
What advice does the script give regarding self-worth and comparison with others?
-The script advises the speaker to not compare themselves to others and to have a thick skin, as the standards for success in their unique struggle are different from those of the world.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Self-Reflection and Struggle

The speaker begins by expressing a deep introspection, acknowledging a life confined within the four walls of their home. They recognize the negative impact this has had on their well-being and express a desire to break free from this lifestyle. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the challenges and perceiving themselves as a failure, they are determined to learn and grow. The speaker is encouraged to see their efforts as a battle against centuries of history and millions of years of human evolution, suggesting that even a stalemate in this struggle is a victory. The discourse highlights the importance of not underestimating the challenges faced and the rarity of the speaker's attempt to change their life.

05:02

🏔 The Everest of Personal Growth

In this paragraph, the speaker is reassured that their struggle is noble and dignified, akin to climbing Mount Everest rather than running downhill. The emphasis is on the process rather than the outcome, with the speaker encouraged to be disdainful of results and to find dignity in the struggle itself. The speaker is reminded that they are part of a privileged few who are responding to the call of truth, and that the world often glorifies quick and easy victories, which are not the measure of success in their case. The speaker is urged to be patient with their progress, to continue attempting, and to be honest and loving in their efforts, disregarding the world's standards of success.

10:05

🐕 Comparing Standards and Self-Worth

The speaker grapples with feelings of inadequacy, comparing themselves unfavorably to others, including their son and even a dog. The discourse counters this by highlighting the different dimensions of their respective 'battles'. It points out that the speaker is engaged in a more complex and challenging endeavor, which cannot be measured by the same standards as more straightforward tasks. The speaker is reminded that they are not failing but are instead facing a different set of expectations and challenges. The conversation serves as a reminder that self-worth should not be determined by comparing oneself to others in different contexts or with different life agendas.

15:05

🦏 Resilience in the Face of Defeat

In the final paragraph, the speaker is encouraged to develop a thick skin and a resilient spirit to withstand the frequent defeats they face daily. The speaker is reassured that they are not alone in their struggles and that even the person speaking to them considers themselves a 'serial loser'. The discourse emphasizes the importance of not letting defeats impact one's self-worth and suggests forming a 'Losers Club' as a humorous way to cope with and normalize failure. The speaker is reminded that they are undertaking a unique and rare journey, and that the true victory lies in the attempt and persistence, not in the achievement of success as traditionally defined.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Life and Death

The term 'life and death' signifies the critical and existential nature of the discourse in the video. It is used to emphasize the gravity of the situation being discussed, which is likened to a battlefield where the stakes are high. In the script, this phrase sets the tone for the intense introspection and self-evaluation that follows, as the speaker grapples with the impact of their lifestyle choices.

💡Household Tasks

The phrase 'household tasks' refers to the routine chores and responsibilities that one typically manages within a home. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a part of the speaker's realization of being confined to domestic duties, which has led to a sense of stagnation and unfulfillment. It is a metaphor for the limitations that the speaker feels in their life.

💡Self-Improvement

Self-improvement is a central theme in the video, reflecting the speaker's desire to learn and grow beyond their current circumstances. It is depicted as a struggle, with the speaker acknowledging their inability to make significant progress in various areas of their life. The term is used to highlight the internal conflict between aspirations and the perceived lack of achievement.

💡Failure

The concept of 'failure' is repeatedly mentioned in the script, reflecting the speaker's self-assessment and the emotional turmoil they experience. It is used to convey a sense of inadequacy and the feeling of not meeting personal expectations. However, the video also challenges this notion, suggesting that the struggle itself is a form of victory.

💡Challenges

Challenges are portrayed as monumental obstacles that the speaker is facing, drawing a parallel to historical and evolutionary contexts. The term is used to underscore the magnitude of the struggle and to reframe the speaker's perception of their situation, suggesting that even a stalemate against such challenges is a form of triumph.

💡Stalemate

A 'stalemate' in the video is presented as a situation where no progress is made, yet it is redefined as a victory in the face of immense challenges. It is used to encourage the speaker to view their situation positively, even if they are not making tangible progress, as the act of persisting is considered an achievement.

💡Nishkama Karma

Nishkama Karma is a term from Indian philosophy that refers to performing actions without attachment to the results. In the video, it is introduced as a concept to help the speaker reframe their approach to life, suggesting that the dignity lies in the right struggle, not in the outcomes. This concept is used to encourage the speaker to continue their efforts without being disheartened by the results.

💡Dignity in Defeat

The phrase 'dignity in defeat' is used to convey the idea that there is honor in facing challenges with integrity, even if success is not achieved. It is a central message in the video, encouraging the speaker to find self-worth in their efforts and persistence, rather than in the outcomes of their actions.

💡Worldly Yardsticks

The term 'worldly yardsticks' refers to the societal standards and expectations that measure success and failure. In the video, these are criticized for being inappropriate measures for the speaker's unique journey. The script encourages the speaker to look beyond these conventional benchmarks and to define success on their own terms.

💡Comparison

Comparison is a recurring theme in the video, where the speaker is cautioned against measuring themselves against others, including their son and even the speaker of the video. It is presented as a source of unnecessary self-doubt and a distraction from one's own path. The video suggests that each individual's journey is unique and should not be judged by the standards of others.

💡Self-Worth

Self-worth is a critical concept in the video, as it addresses the speaker's feelings of worthlessness and the need to develop a sense of value independent of external achievements. The script emphasizes that self-worth should be based on the integrity and effort put into one's actions, rather than the outcomes or the opinions of others.

Highlights

The Gita's discourse on life and death is profound and unique, setting it apart as special.

The speaker acknowledges their self-imposed limitations and the impact of living within the confines of their home.

A realization of the need for change and the desire to learn new things despite feeling overwhelmed.

The struggle to create time for personal growth and the feeling of being stuck.

The speaker's self-perception as a failure due to unfulfilled ambitions.

Encouragement not to underestimate the challenges faced, which are deeply rooted in history and human evolution.

The concept that even a stalemate against such immense challenges is a form of victory.

The importance of self-esteem and not seeking quick gains in the face of unique and rare challenges.

The idea of nishkama karma, finding dignity in the struggle regardless of the results.

The necessity to be disdainful of results when facing constant challenges and potential failures.

The speaker's emphasis on the value of existence and persistence over success or failure.

The world's tendency to glorify winners and the importance of not measuring oneself by worldly standards.

The metaphor of climbing Mount Everest versus running downhill to illustrate the nature of the speaker's struggle.

The advice to be honest and loving in one's attempts and to disregard the results.

The speaker's self-deprecating humor about being a 'serial loser' and the importance of thick skin in the face of defeat.

The final encouragement to embrace defeat and continue the struggle with a smile.