The Various Strengths of Human
Nature
By
Karmayogi
Science is making great strides. In
biology they now know the origin of the hair colour, the length of the fingers
or strength of any part of our body. In various degrees they are working to
achieve mastery in those areas.
Psychologically, there are temperamental strengths, talent for work, capacity
for organisation, mental strengths of comprehension and particularly those of
the imagination. By the birthplace, caste, community, family, period of the
century, social environment, and commercial placement one is already endowed in
his blood — the very genes – with various strengths. They are there to be
drawn upon readily, like our mother tongue disused for several years when we
are in a foreign land.
The Chettiar community has an inbuilt capacity to manage money. They are able
managers. The native intelligence of the Brahmins excels others. The members of
the Kshatriya community have a native courage. The Bengali is emotional, the Maharashtrian
is philosophical, the Gurkha is a fighter, the Sikhs have earned a name as
brave soldiers.
When we are working in an office or in a factory, or managing an enterprise, we
are caught up with the problems on hand. Rarely do we think of our community.
The idea that one is Malayalee or Tamilian never crosses our mind while in our
native place. While outside we constantly think of it. It is one of the reasons
why people who go out are more successful. Any talent yields only a small
dividend when we are indifferent to it.
When people whose business is not breaking even or who are making small profits
remind themselves of their family tradition, strength of caste, or endowment
from their nationality, they will find themselves energised. It will help them
convert their losses into profits or double their profits, if they are already
making small profits.
Such a person can do better. He can remind himself that he is an Indian with
the light of the Spirit in his body. Let him exercise his mind to bring that
spiritual light into his work. It is done by values. Should he realise the
value of values and endeavour to express them in his work, he will no longer
bring up the rear. He will soar high. To know what his native capacities are
and how they can be utilised in his work is to become very highly efficient.