There's only so much punishment your body can take. It ain't nice to deprive it of food, sleep, rest, and most important, joy. I've done this for the past seven weeks now, and finally have come to the point where I get to rest. My body has taken it all silently, all the beatings and harsh treatment. I'm sorry I had to be so cruel to myself, but my work, for which I had to endure this is now complete, and the results have compensated for the pain I had to bear.
I'm happy. Nothing pleases me more than to be busy, to be employed usefully, to be part of an activity that produces something creative and/or useful, and to finally taste the sweetness of seeing that work complete and the results out. It offers me a high so potent, I do not feel the need for any external stimulant. I'm simply ebullient with delight.
I've also learnt a lesson from this. It's important to be kind to yourself. To be kind to your own body. Dedication and work all notwithstanding, it's necessary not to overdo it. My body hasn't complained, but I've faced the consequences elsewhere. You can't afford to hurt yourself. You have only yourself and your mind, heart, soul and body, as a constant, as eternally part of yourself. All these self-help and personality development gurus teach you that to be happiest you need to mentally strengthen yourself, and develop strong character. Protect your mind and your heart from the ill intent of others around you. It's equally important to protect your body. You deserve to be able to eat and sleep. You deserve to be able to share and receive affection. You deserve to be able to care for yourself.
If you put pressure on your body, you are already mentally very strong. You don't need to worry about that part. Take a small example. Try combing your own hair the way you do for someone you care about, your brother or sister or partner or anyone. Close your eyes and try to recall a song you like as you're doing this. Think about something good that happened during the day, something good for you. Enjoy the quality of your own hair. When you open your eyes, you'll feel a new kind of care for your own skin, your limbs, your hair, and everything that is a part of you. This care is always there, but you'll feel conscious of it this time round.
No teaching anyone to be Narcissus over here. But without being overly luxury driven or self pampering, it's important to realize the importance of caring for your own self. This is also why suicide is considered a crime, punishable even. Deliberately causing harm to anything that can feel for itself is an offense, even if it be you hurting your own body. It's also why the Sikhs forbid the cutting of body hair. Your hair is also a part of your body, even though it be dead cells. That's being somewhat idealistic perhaps, but the rationale is easy to understand in the context of what we're talking here.
So what's my resolution finally? No more depriving my body of its essential wants, just for the sake of getting some little booklet printed. My body will not hesitate to remind me that it wishes to be treated properly, as lovingly as my heart and mind are cared for.
I'm happy. Nothing pleases me more than to be busy, to be employed usefully, to be part of an activity that produces something creative and/or useful, and to finally taste the sweetness of seeing that work complete and the results out. It offers me a high so potent, I do not feel the need for any external stimulant. I'm simply ebullient with delight.
I've also learnt a lesson from this. It's important to be kind to yourself. To be kind to your own body. Dedication and work all notwithstanding, it's necessary not to overdo it. My body hasn't complained, but I've faced the consequences elsewhere. You can't afford to hurt yourself. You have only yourself and your mind, heart, soul and body, as a constant, as eternally part of yourself. All these self-help and personality development gurus teach you that to be happiest you need to mentally strengthen yourself, and develop strong character. Protect your mind and your heart from the ill intent of others around you. It's equally important to protect your body. You deserve to be able to eat and sleep. You deserve to be able to share and receive affection. You deserve to be able to care for yourself.
If you put pressure on your body, you are already mentally very strong. You don't need to worry about that part. Take a small example. Try combing your own hair the way you do for someone you care about, your brother or sister or partner or anyone. Close your eyes and try to recall a song you like as you're doing this. Think about something good that happened during the day, something good for you. Enjoy the quality of your own hair. When you open your eyes, you'll feel a new kind of care for your own skin, your limbs, your hair, and everything that is a part of you. This care is always there, but you'll feel conscious of it this time round.
No teaching anyone to be Narcissus over here. But without being overly luxury driven or self pampering, it's important to realize the importance of caring for your own self. This is also why suicide is considered a crime, punishable even. Deliberately causing harm to anything that can feel for itself is an offense, even if it be you hurting your own body. It's also why the Sikhs forbid the cutting of body hair. Your hair is also a part of your body, even though it be dead cells. That's being somewhat idealistic perhaps, but the rationale is easy to understand in the context of what we're talking here.
So what's my resolution finally? No more depriving my body of its essential wants, just for the sake of getting some little booklet printed. My body will not hesitate to remind me that it wishes to be treated properly, as lovingly as my heart and mind are cared for.
