TRANSFORMATION
Am I Good Enough? - Resolvinng Self-Esteem Issues with JAIN Psychology
Am I Good Enough? - Resolving Self-Esteem Issues with Jaina Psychology By Suraj Shah
By Suraj Shah
Suraj Shah is a dedicated Clinical Psychologist and ardent seeker of wisdom in Jainism and Vedanta. Based in Mumbai, he serves as a Psychotherapist and Educator, channeling his passion into harmonizing contemporary psychological concepts with the profound insights found in Jainism, Buddhism, and Vedantic schools of thought. Specializing in addressing psychological conflicts arising from the premature application of religious concepts, Mr. Shah is committed to fostering a nuanced understanding of the intersection between spirituality and mental well-being. Email: mentalhealthwithsuraj@gmail.com
The quest for self-esteem is an innate longing shared by all human beings. At the very core of anxiety and depressive disorders lies the belief that "I am not good enough." In this article, we shall explore how the applied psychology of Jainism liberates us from the relentless pursuit of external validation to fulfill this fundamental need and the void it creates within us.
onto these finite aspects and becomes outwardly focused in its quest to feel good. In its true essence, the jeeva is formless and possesses limitless esteem, independent of skill, accomplishment, or fame. Yet, the jeeva forgets its true nature due to the obscuring influence of "darshan mohaniya karma." It mistakenly identifies with the name and form of the mind-body complex and attributes its inherent boundless worth to these limited aspects, thus endlessly seeking validation from the finite. The perpetual quest for more success, additional wealth, or increased fame stems from a fundamental aspect of our nature: our intrinsic worth is boundless and cannot be fully satisfied by limited, conditional achievements. The insatiable desire for more is rooted in projecting our infinite esteem onto the restricted framework of our name, form, mind, and body. Consequently, the search for validation outside of ourselves becomes limitless and never-ending.
Every human being enters this world with an inherent desire to feel valued and worthy. From the mightiest Indra (Celestial Being) to the most ordinary individual, each seeks to bask in their own sense of worthiness. Modern psychology often takes this yearning for granted, advising individuals to pursue it through rational and sensible means. However, Jainism challenges the very existence of this need. Where does this need for self-esteem originate? According to Jainism, it arises from the attachment to limited names and forms. The soul, known as 'jeeva,' projects its intrinsic nature of boundless self-worth
It's important to acknowledge that wanting to feel esteemed is entirely natural. However, the issue lies in the direction of this pursuit. Instead of recognizing and appreciating our inherent, boundless worth, we often mistakenly channel our efforts into seeking validation through external achievements. This misdirection perpetuates a cycle of endless searching, as the limited nature of external accomplishments can never fully satiate the infinite esteem that resides within us. Ask yourself, what makes you feel good about yourself? Is it your appearance, educational qualifications, intelligence, wealth, job title, or social connections? These external sources of esteem are closely tied to the mind and body, making them susceptible to fluctuations. They are transient, subject to situational variations, and at the mercy of destiny. This association renders our self-esteem fragile and vulnerable, easily shaken by a job demotion or a social snub. 47
