Human Nature - A Dog’s Tail?

The following was written recently for an uninitiated readership; hence, stating the obvious for a readership well-versed with the Integral Yoga. Still, it has some merit; hence publishing here.

Can human nature be changed? Or is it indeed the proverbial dog’s tail that cannot be straightened ever?

What we call our nature is comprised of several elements, each quite different from the other, each impacting the other – our habits, behaviour, attitudes, psychological constructs, emotional response patterns, qualities of character – our whole way of being, relating and responding.

It is easier to change some parts, others not. We might change the way we behave but retain an inner predilection quite contrary to what we portray. Outer change is easier; it is the inner change that is challenging – seemingly impossible.

Outer change can lull us into believing we have changed. Only in the midst of an existential crisis, a situation that threatens our self-interest, how much we have actually changed becomes clear. A seemingly aloof, self-centred person might shine out as the most helpful, selflessly generous person in a crisis, and vice-versa. All of us have witnessed similar instances.

The question naturally arises – If it is so difficult to change our nature, how do we even begin? Here are a few suggestions...

1. Cultivate Self-awareness leading to Self-mastery: The first step in changing one’s nature is to recognise that we are multiple beings – have several personalities in ourselves, different forces that determine our responses, different voices within us pulling us in different directions. The journey begins with becoming aware of these different parts, identifying their voices and how they contribute to our nature, to our actions and responses. As we progress in this awareness, the methods for controlling, or changing, even eliminating some while nurturing or imbibing others become clear. For each of us, it is a uniquely personal journey.
2. Hone a Clear-sighted Dispassionate Discernment: Self-awareness demands a great level of sincerity so that we do not fool ourselves. To be able to look at oneself like a scientist, without bias or judgment, without our emotions colouring what we see, without self-castigation or self-aggrandisement – for this, we need to train in ourselves a dispassionate laser-like discernment.
3. Develop a Poise of Silence & Inwardness: For both the above, there needs to be a poise of inner silence, a still base within ourselves that allows us a firm footing from which to cast our gaze deep and wide into ourselves. Any means, from meditation to music, nature, painting, focused physical activity – anything that quietens the inner noise and draws one gently inwards, is fine. What works for one may not work for another; each has to find their own method.
4. Apply the Will: Without application of our will to change, nothing will move. We may know all that needs to be done in order to bring about a change, but may not be able to put our knowledge into practice – in fact, that is most often the case, and the greatest road-block. Hence, cultivating a strong will-power is crucial. The Mother says the will should be trained like the muscles – through continuous practice, through its application in the smallest of matters – always to do what one has decided to do, to choose to do the more difficult thing rather than the easier one.

The task of changing human nature, though much more challenging than straightening the dog’s tail, is not impossible. If it were so, there would be no hope for humanity.

As we can see in the world around us, a greater technological and material advancement has not, does not necessarily lead to greater good – unless controlled by the more positive elements in human nature. All issues – be these of national conflicts, monopoly of resources, depletion of Nature, inequality, factionalism – emanate from human nature. As stated by Sri Aurobindo – “… all problems of existence are essentially problems of harmony.” 

Hence, the crucial way forward is to change human nature. Whose? Ours. Mine. Yours. Each one theirs. The key to change is ME. It begins with each one of us, now and here.

“Change yourself if you wish to change the world.” (The Mother)

- Anuradha (The Gnostic Centre, India)