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TLM-1st Edition/Volume 2

The Little Manual for a State of Well Being Objective vs. Subjective

Objective

vs.

Subjective

(əbdʒektɪv)

(səbdʒektɪv)

Adj. If someone is objective, they base their opinions on facts rather than on their personal feelings.

Adj. Something that is subjective is based on personal opinions and feelings rather than on facts.1

Many are familiar with the children’s fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, adapted into the Wizard of Oz2 movie with the great long gone actress Judy Garland3 as Dorothy, and three important characters she encounters along the route to the Emerald City: the Scarecrow who wishes he had brains; the Tin Man who longs for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion who seeks courage. The writer takes us over a series of events where each of the characters discover they already possessed what they thought they lacked! Most of us find ourselves--in our daily lives--in a similar situation, especially when 1 2 3

Wizard of Oz, an American fantasy/musical movie; directed mainly by Victor Fleming et al. (1939) MGM production.

Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 - June 22,1969) was an American actress, singer and dancer.

it comes to deciding our true feelings and the facts that surround us. To understand how most of us get lost in the translation between the Objective vs. the Subjective, let’s see how we gather our knowledge and how we use it for or against ourselves.

The great inspirational lecturer, Swami Anubhavananda4, describes this phenomenon in his lectures The Shaping the Mind.5 Also known as Smiling Swami, he explains that our knowledge is gathered by the mind, through the instruments of knowledge which are our five senses: Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch. For example, through our eyes, our mind takes the shape of the object, then the mind identifies the object and its components, so that the mind concludes that you are not the object. It is of much importance to understand this process of identification for the comprehension of the things that surround us in our daily lives. We then, Swami explains, put all of those things we had already identified and divide them into two important components which are the Objective and the Subjective. The Objective being the all-empowering, the non-I, and the Subjective being the subordinated, the I. Where, generally, most of us give more importance to the Objective, rather than the Subjective which we now know are our true feelings, the true you. Thus giving more power to that ‘something’ or ‘someone.’

“Most people are subjective towards themselves and objective toward all others, frightfully objective sometimes--but the task is precisely to be objective toward oneself and subjective towards all others.”

Soren Kierkegaard

When you give importance to an object, it then takes power and that ‘something’ becomes stronger, bigger than you and since you had given it much importance, you become the slave of that ‘something’ or ‘someone.’ As an example, let's look at the way some people react to a simple mouse. When a little tiny mouse shows up close to us, people either scream, freeze or express dismay when they see it around their feet. The mouse, which is only looking for something to feed on, will pick up the leftovers on the floor and probably go back to its hole. However, since you are afraid of the mouse, you are giving it importance--thus power to cause turmoil around you. If you see it in perspective, that little tiny mouse will not kill you! But since you are afraid of it or disgusted by it, you then start running around, causing the mouse to do the same, protecting itself from you just as you are. If you think about it, YOU are the one that has given importance to that ‘something,’ so you are the one that can devalue the importance of that ‘something.’ With all the things that surround you, you must learn to observe, hear, etc., before you act objectively. Once you recognize what is causing you to feel that particular way, then you need to start working on it to see how you can end it.

4 5

A renowned exponent of Indian wisdom through sincere devotion, spiritual thinking, expression of joy and zero complaints in life. Swami Anubhavananda, Shaping the Mind (Discovering the Inner Self) on YouTube Channel, April 29th 2012. Part 1.

If you start something, you have the power to end it. Working on your inner strength, which is your personal integrity of character, and developing a resoluteness of will is very important. Mental resistance to doubt or discouragement plays an important role when you discover yourself trapped within those obstructions. When your state of mind is free from blockages, you are able to see clearly and to decide freely.

If you cannot free your mind from those obstructions, then that ‘something’ or ‘someone’ becomes an Obsession. “Inflamed by greed, incensed by hate, confused by delusion, overcome by them, obsessed by mind, a man chooses for his own affliction, for others' affliction, for the affliction of both and experiences pain and grief.” Gautama Buddha

An obsession is a persistent preoccupation, idea or feeling,6 towards anything or anybody. As Smiling Swami says “If we want to invoke our inner strength of the mind, we have to become aware that we are not functioning under the influence of any obsession.” As an individual, you have to maintain consciousness of your own surroundings and the limitations too. As you become obsessed with something or someone, you tend to impose views over others, because of the constant obsession with the idea that you are right and the others are wrong. As a final example from Smiling Swami, he speaks in these same lectures about being a Vegetarian. It is such a new thing that almost everyone is judging others on what they eat or not. Why bother! Because you are obsessed with the idea and because You chose that, others have to follow! Imposing your view as the final and sole one only serves to weaken your inner strength.

In general, your mind, with the help of your senses, knows and recognizes the ‘something’ or ‘someone’ as not being you. Therefore, you must learn to separate them, inside of you, since you are really never physically attached to anything--it is only a mental attachment. As you already know how to manage that, then if the Subjective, the subordinated, the ‘I’ had given much importance to the ‘non-I’ the Objective, then it is the responsibility of the ‘I’ to devalue the importance given to that certain ‘something’ or ‘someone.’ Or vice versa. After doing so, you will be at peace within yourself because you have become You, and you are not letting anything or anybody disturb your inner self--your inner strength. As a result, you will have no frustration. With a mind free from attachments, divisions and obsessions, you become the master of your own destiny. “A direct statement about yourself is considered objective only if it is negative. If it's positive, it is considered subjective. And 'objective' means it is accurate, and 'subjective' means it is conceited self-delusion.” Barbara Sher

Let’s now return to the story from the Wizard of Oz. From my perspective, the main character, Dorothy, functions as a vessel for the Objective and the Subjective. She becomes the ‘unconscious.’ Without her knowing, she challenges the characters in the story by making them realize--little by little--that each of them were only needing that push in order to see that they were really never afraid of anything. What they were actually lacking was a chance to explore and discover their true inner selves, their true values and their foreseeing present. At the end, those feelings of emptiness and discouragement and wishing for something else, depend only on You to see them.

It is there inside of you, and has always been. Exercise O vs. S Look for a space where you feel comfortable. Lie down. Looking up at the ceiling, picture yourself walking down the yellow brick road, like in the Wizard of Oz movie, or any road. Think of ‘something’ or ‘someone’ who has taken control over you. Then think about ‘something’ or ‘someone’ that you have left unnoticed. Example for the first thought: I think much about time, that goes by so fast, and that I cannot accomplish more things. (objective) Second thought: I see that I have abandoned my friend, who is worth having a coffee with and relaxing with for a bit. (subjective) Once you have chosen your own ‘something’ or ‘someone,’ close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Open your eyes. It is now your opportunity to manifest the balance inside of you and choose freely. When your mind is at peace, you will find the right way. Be happy.

All pics and exercise by Efra Gonz. Article Written by Efra Gonz. Remember you can email me if you have any questions thru www.issuu.com