Strengthening Self-Concept: Element: Earth (Strength)

Vimida Das
Jun 25, 2024
5 min read

Today, we delve into a profound topic that is foundational to achieving our goals and dreams: strengthening our self-concept. The element of Earth symbolizes strength, stability, and groundedness, essential qualities when developing a strong self-concept. Let's explore why a strong self-concept is crucial for successful manifestation and how you can cultivate it to create the life you desire.

The Story of Ashtavakra: A Lesson in Self-Concept

To illustrate the importance of self-concept, let’s begin with the story of Ashtavakra, a revered sage in ancient India known for his wisdom and spiritual teachings. Unlike many wise figures, Ashtavakra wasn't known for a flowing beard or a serene expression. In fact, he was born with eight deformities, making him stand out from the crowd. Yet, despite his physical limitations, Ashtavakra possessed immense knowledge and inner strength.

The story goes that even before he was born, Ashtavakra displayed his remarkable spirit. While still in his mother's womb, he overheard his father, Kahoda, teaching Vedic scriptures. Kahoda, though knowledgeable, made a mistake in his explanation. From within the womb, Ashtavakra uttered a sound, indicating the error. This act, while a testament to his precocious intellect, unfortunately angered Kahoda. In a moment of frustration, Kahoda cursed his unborn son, decreeing that Ashtavakra would be born with eight deformities.

Despite this challenging beginning, Ashtavakra grew up wise and confident. He wasn't defined by his physical appearance. He knew his true worth lay in his inner wisdom and connection to something greater.

One day, Ashtavakra decided to visit the court of King Janaka, renowned for his wisdom and philosophical debates. As Ashtavakra entered, the court erupted in murmurs and stares. His appearance was different, and some courtiers even mocked him openly.

Unfazed by the negativity, Ashtavakra approached King Janaka with an air of quiet confidence. He didn't plead for attention or defend his appearance. Instead, he engaged the King in a profound discussion on spirituality and the nature of the self. His deep understanding and sharp intellect quickly silenced the court. They realized that Ashtavakra's true worth wasn't determined by his physical form, but by the vast ocean of wisdom he possessed.

Ashtavakra knew the reality that he was an embodiment of pure consciousness, hence always perfect. Similarly, we need to keep reminding ourselves that we too are pure consciousness and hence always perfect. This understanding shapes how we approach the world and, consequently, how the world perceives us.

Understanding Self-Concept

What exactly is self-concept? Simply put, self-concept is the perception and beliefs you hold about yourself. It encompasses your self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. Your self-concept is shaped by your experiences, thoughts, and feelings about yourself. It’s the lens through which you view the world and your place in it.

Self-esteem: How you value yourself.Example: Imagine you receive constructive feedback at work. A person with high self-esteem might see it as an opportunity to grow and improve, valuing themselves enough to believe they can do better. Conversely, someone with low self-esteem might take the feedback personally and feel disheartened, doubting their worth.
Self-worth: Your belief in your inherent worth as a person.Example: Consider a situation where you didn't get a promotion you were hoping for. A person with a strong sense of self-worth understands that this outcome doesn’t diminish their inherent value as a person. They believe they are worthy and deserving regardless of external circumstances. In contrast, someone with low self-worth might internalize the rejection and feel undeserving or inadequate.
Self-confidence: Your trust in your abilities and judgment.Example: Think about a scenario where you’re asked to lead a project. A self-confident individual trusts their abilities and judgment, feeling assured that they can lead the project successfully. Conversely, someone with low self-confidence might doubt their skills and hesitate to take on the responsibility, fearing they might fail.

Your self-concept influences every aspect of your life, from your relationships to your career to your ability to achieve your goals. When you have a strong, positive self-concept, you are more likely to take risks, persevere in the face of challenges, and ultimately succeed in your endeavors.

Self-Concept and Manifestation

Now, let’s connect self-concept to manifestation. Manifestation is the process of bringing your desires into reality through your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. The strength of your self-concept plays a critical role in this process.

Here’s why:

Belief Systems: Your self-concept forms the foundation of your belief systems. If you believe you are worthy and capable of achieving your desires, you are more likely to manifest those desires into reality.
Positive Focus: A strong self-concept helps you maintain a positive focus on your goals. Instead of getting bogged down by doubts, fears, and negative self-talk, you can stay aligned with your desired outcomes.
Overcoming Obstacles: Challenges and obstacles are a part of life. With a strong self-concept, you can face these challenges with resilience and confidence, knowing that you have the ability to overcome them.

Reflecting on Ashtavakra’s story, we see that his unwavering belief in his inherent perfection and pure consciousness allowed him to project confidence and wisdom. Similarly, we need to keep reminding ourselves that we too are pure consciousness and hence always perfect. This understanding shapes how we approach the world and, consequently, how the world perceives us.

Practical Techniques to Strengthen Self-Concept

So, how do we strengthen our self-concept? Let’s explore some practical techniques that can help:

Affirmations: Positive statements that reinforce your self-concept and beliefs. By repeating affirmations regularly, you can reprogram your subconscious mind to align with your desired outcomes. Examples of powerful affirmations include: "I am worthy of all my desires," "I am confident and capable," and "I trust in my ability to manifest my dreams."
Visualizations: Creating a mental image of your desired outcome. By visualizing your goals as already achieved, you can align your thoughts and emotions with that reality. Let’s do a brief visualization exercise. Close your eyes and imagine yourself achieving your biggest goal. See it, feel it, and believe it. Hold onto that feeling for a moment.
Scripting: Writing about your desired outcomes as if they have already happened. This technique helps you clarify your goals and align your thoughts with your desired reality. Write a script describing your ideal day or a specific goal you want to achieve. Be detailed and specific, and focus on the positive emotions you will feel when you achieve it.
Meditation and Mindfulness: Practices that help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. By regularly practicing mindfulness, you can cultivate a positive and calm mindset. Set aside a few minutes each day for meditation or mindfulness exercises. Focus on your breath, and let go of any negative thoughts or worries.

Conclusion and Takeaways

To wrap up, let’s recap the key points we’ve discussed:

Self-concept is the perception and beliefs you hold about yourself, encompassing self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.
A strong self-concept is crucial for successful manifestation, as it forms the foundation of your belief systems and helps you maintain a positive focus on your goals.
Practical techniques such as affirmations, visualizations, scripting, and meditation can help you strengthen your self-concept.
Reflect on the lesson from Ashtavakra’s story. He knew he was an embodiment of pure consciousness and perfect in his essence. Embrace this truth for yourself. Your self-concept shapes how you approach the world, and in turn, how the world perceives you.