THE concept of karma has long been understood as the idea that the bad we do will eventually come back to haunt us.
In a world where fear and guilt often dictate the way we live, it is essential to shift our mind-set towards liberation and self-empowerment.
We can see that such a belief often serves to control people. As opposed to evoke these negative emotions, we must strive to inspire liberation, focusing on positive change and personal growth.
We can recognise objects with the way they smell and people identify who we are based on our personality.
Just as we can identify a jacaranda tree by its distinct fragrance, we should work towards shaping our personalities in a way that reflects the values we hold dear.
Our actions, thoughts and words leave an imprint on the world, much like the unique scent of a flower and it is up to us to ensure that our "scent" is one of kindness, understanding and wisdom.
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One of the key challenges we face in overcoming mental oppression is the memories we carry with us.
Our minds do not give us a choice in what we store as memories; everything we see, feel, taste and touch is recorded, often without our conscious effort.
However, how we choose to approach these memories can make all the difference in our mental health.
True wisdom lies not in dwelling on the painful or traumatic moments of our past, but in embracing the good and learning from the bad.
“When unpleasant things happen to us, we should choose whether we become wise or wounded.”
This statement underscores the power of choice in shaping our emotional responses. Each experience, whether positive or negative, presents an opportunity for growth. Our memories can either breathe life into us or destroy it, depending on how we interpret and internalise them.
Rather than being victims of our past, we can transform these memories into sources of strength and wisdom, using them to fuel our personal evolution.
In overcoming mental oppression, intellect alone is not enough. “Intellect is like a knife that we use to cut.” While intellect is an essential tool for solving problems and understanding the world, it is limited when used in isolation. If we equip our lives solely with intellectual reasoning, we may end up creating more problems than solutions.
For example, using a knife to stitch a garment will only result in its destruction. Likewise, our intellect, without the guidance of emotional intelligence, can cut us off from deeper human connections and self-understanding.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and express our emotions.
It is crucial in the process of overcoming mental oppression. When combined with intellect, emotional intelligence allows us to navigate the complexities of our inner world and the external challenges we face. It helps us to respond with empathy, compassion and self-awareness, leading to healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self.
You should not empower a person with a limited identity because he will cause havoc. This powerful statement speaks to the importance of expanding our sense of self beyond narrow or limiting definitions.
When we define ourselves by the limitations imposed by society, culture or even our fears, we confine our potential. It is only when we step outside of these constraints and recognise our inherent worth and ability to evolve that we can begin to truly overcome mental oppression.
True liberation comes from recognising our own potential for growth, healing and transformation. By embracing the good in our lives, learning from our challenges and developing both our intellect and emotional intelligence, we can rise above the mental oppression that holds us back.
In the end, it is not the circumstances of our lives that define us, but how we choose to respond to them. As we reshape our personalities to reflect the values we cherish, a sense of freedom and strength that not only empowers us but also inspires others begins to emanate.
In conclusion, overcoming mental oppression is a journey that requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the courage to embrace both the light and dark aspects of our past. As we empower ourselves with these tools, we pave the way for a future where liberation, not fear guides our actions and our true selves shine through.
- Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.