We are psychologically trapped in the cycle — but we can break it!!

Infant Jerin
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read

We sometimes think that we want to spend the day productively by learning or doing something but we’ll end up in doing some other things and then we’ll regret later.

We regret, though we know that we will not accomplish what we decided to accomplish. Then why are we regretting if it is accustomed?? Because our intuition knows what is right and wrong but somehow we are trapped by our mind.

One of the consumer psychology that every businesses use is building the habit among the consumer that could be rewarding when they’re carving for something. [Source: power of habits by Charles Duhigg]

For example, sometime we might be bored with what we are doing and we need the break, craving for distraction, Huh!! Facebook feed or WhatsApp status could reward us by arousing our pleasure for sometime. It could be the case with junk foods, porn & sleep and all unconscious compulsive habits.

There is the conspiracy that most companies are aware of this human behaviour and they use this behavioural psychology to make money by making us entangled to this cyclic habits intentionally.

It’s not the 21st century problem, it’s been there since the human civilization. Indian philosophy talks about the people who are entangled in this cycle as Samsara, the people who don’t know why they are doing what they are doing, but somehow they keep their sensual pleasure aroused by some activities.

Buddha only calls these compulsive habit’s rewards as desires. Obviously if the reward for these compulsive desires doesn’t meet the expectations there will be pain or suffering.

And Gita also teaches that “do your duty but don’t anticipate the output/ play for playing but not for winning”. Because the moment when we start to anticipate the output to be favourable for the work or activity we do, we will again be trapped in this cycle. The ultimate goal of Indian teachings are liberation (Mukthi ), the break/freedom from this endless cycle. The one who breaks this cycle is called Sanyasi.

But how can we break this cycle? we can break this cycle by becoming more conscious of what we are doing. Next time when you crave for something uncontrollably, just pause & ask the question “What am I craving for? Do I really need to do what I’m going to do? Why am I doing this?”. Once you became conscious, then direct your mind and action to something else which will help you to succeed that you dreamed or wished. The best way to expand your consciousness more is by meditation & being more mindful. I see, in the coming era, the humanity should expand its consciousness for the better world & betterment of humanity.

So we should be aware of this psychological trap and should break this cycle to become more liberated. Let’s start today.

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