People who like to talk about themselves can come off as
egotistic when they describe their successes and as whiners when they explain
(away) their failures. Undoubtedly, when reversals are caused by factors beyond
our power, we may need to clarify things, which might require talking about
ourselves: our situations and limitations. Nonetheless, we can often better do
things that are in our power to do by talking to ourselves – that is, by urging
ourselves to improve ourselves. For example, during vital phases of play, some
sports players galvanize themselves with self-exhortations: “Come on,” “Buck
up,” “The time is now.” Taking such self-talk beyond pep talks to philosophical
introspection, the Bhagavad-gita (06.05) suggests that we create a
self-reflective difference of subject and object within ourselves when it urges
us to elevate the self with the self. While some commentators translate the
instrumental self here as the mind, others stick to the literal import of the
word ‘atma’ as self. With the direct reading, this Gita guideline channels one
of our deepest tendencies: to give advice to others. By treating ourselves as
the other, we can give advice to ourselves. This self-talk is neither the
irrational self-obsession of the lunatic, nor the unconsidered chatter of the
wild-minded. It is the mature, measured, focused introspection of those who
first internalize scripture and in its light observe themselves, evaluate their
actions and encourage themselves to do better. Unlike the public, effusive
self-exhortations of sportspersons, spiritual seekers, who strive to improve
their inner terrain, often prefer more private, restrained forms of
self-counseling. Journaling is one such way, wherein we talk with ourselves on
paper, thereby bringing greater objectivity and longevity to our self-talk. By
adopting the self-talk we find most helpful, we can progress towards
self-improvement, thereby finding increasing satisfaction within and making increasing
contribution without
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