I once read a short passage somewhere online. It was a time when we were fresh out of the clutches of the pandemic and people were allowed to get out of their confinements. The passage read like this:
“I used to be quite set in my ways. I believed strongly that the ‘old-fashioned’ way of doing things was always the best. For example, I insisted on writing letters instead of emails, and I was hesitant to try new technologies. But then, the pandemic hit, and everything changed. Suddenly, I was forced to adapt to a new way of life. I started using video conferencing for work, online grocery shopping, and even virtual socializing. At first, I resisted these changes, but eventually, I realized that they were improving my life. It was a humbling experience that taught me the importance of flexibility and open-mindedness.”
The person who wrote this was a random individual who decided to post her experience. She was in her 60s, so it was understandable why she was not familiar with technology. Be that as it may, the pandemic forced her to use devices and software that she was never akin to previously. Finally, she realized its significance and how her life has improved because of it.
I am going to share another unknown quote now. Most often, I share a quote that’s written by a renowned individual. This time, let’s take a different route as my way of saying that it’s okay to change things a bit. No harm in it.
“A stubborn person holds onto their beliefs even when presented with overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”
~Unknown
Sometimes, our stubbornness is so high that we can’t see things differently even if the differentiating factors hit us like a truck.
Imagine a time traveler from the 19th century transported to the present. They would likely be shocked by the advancements in technology and society. If they clung rigidly to their 19th-century beliefs, they would struggle to navigate the modern world. Similarly, our rigid beliefs can hinder our ability to adapt to new circumstances.
Atlas: “You analyzed my statements?”
Computer Program, Smith: “Yes. That is correct. I am learning from you.”
Atlas: “Well, stop.”
Computer Program, Smith: “It cannot be helped. I’m programmed to adapt to your behavior.”
Atlas: “Tell me about armaments. What weapons are you carrying?”
Computer Program, Smith: “If you use the neural link, I can download the weapons inventory directly into your cortex.”
Atlas: “I’m not letting you into my head.”
***
After Atlas is badly injured in the armored suit.
Atlas: “What’s our probability?”
Computer Program, Smith: “Would this be an appropriate time for humor?”
Atlas: “Any recommendations on how we can improve our odds?”
Computer Program, Smith: “Just one.” The neural link device lights up. “At 100% sync, we will be a unified whole. Your analytical mind paired with my fighting capacity and data access. It is not only our best shot; it is our only chance of survival.
Atlas: “Okay. We’ll sync,” she says reluctantly. “But you stick to the goddamn mission! No digging around in my personal memories. You’re a goddamn guest! You got that?”
Computer Program, Smith: “Understood.”
Atlas is an incredible movie that emphasizes the consequences of stubbornness that we are conditioned to develop through traumatic and negative events. Atlas Shepherd is a counterterrorism analyst in the movie who finds herself in the throes of battle on another planet. She is fitted with a body suit integrated with a battle-ready AI module. However, her reluctance to sync with the AI to fight the battle and improve her chances of survival is slim only because of her stubbornness. It is understandable based on her traumatic childhood memory.
Atlas: “It was me. I let Harlan upload the code. I got my mother killed. I got my mother killed. Oh God!”
Computer Program, Smith: “It’s not your fault.”
Atlas: “Did you hear me? I caused the death of three million people!”
Computer Program, Smith: “Atlas, it’s impossible to be responsible for an event over which you had no control. You’ve carried the weight of this alone your whole life. But you are not alone now. You might be the reason for Harlan, but that also means you’re the reason I exist. Please, Atlas. Let me in.”
Atlas: “Okay. Synchronize.”
Once Atlas and Computer Program, Smith synchronizes 100%, Atlas is able to analyze all data efficiently. She says to AI Smith, “This is what it feels like to be you.” To which Smith replies, “This is what it feels like to be us.”
Atlas was traumatized by the guilt of her mother’s death, and blamed herself, to the extent that she built high and stubborn walls of letting anyone in. She was not ready to sync with AI Smith even at the brink of her death.
“When we are clouded by our stubbornness,
we are blind even to the gravest of times.”
~Krescon Coaches
Trauma, the loss of a loved one, guilt, anger, repressed memories, and so many other types of negative experiences can slip us into a coma of delusion.
We are simply wading through life with beliefs that limit us to countless possibilities.
It is only by gaining self-awareness that we can understand who we are and where we should be headed. Self-awareness is gained by improving our Spiritual Quotient (SiQ) and after this, we can bring ourselves, physically and mentally, to the Ground of Neutrality.
It is easy to look at a situation only from one angle. We have to look at it from all angles but to do so, we must improve our sense of neutralism. It might feel silly to drive in neutral gear but when it comes to making crucial life and professional decisions, the neutral gear offers hope and clarity of a better outcome. Not just neutrality, but also awareness.
Because of our stubbornness to improve our Ground of Neutrality, we are forced to face things in the ugliest way. Taking Atlas as an example; she had to finally face her fears in the guise of her rigidity during a massive battle with a rogue AI called Harlan. She had to fight AI with the assistance of AI which was so difficult for her but the situation presented to her was stubborn in itself.
If you are stubborn, so is life. If life is stubborn, you are forced to become flexible. That is how experiences surface in the absence of one’s Ground of Neutrality.
I hope that when you understand your identity and the purpose of your life, one day you can achieve the success that you thought you could never accomplish. Opening your mind to things you thought were impossible will help you experience something amazing that I can’t describe here in words.
Here is a beautiful poem called ‘Risk’ by Anais Nin that sums up what we need to realize about our stubborn beliefs.
And then the day came,
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to blossom.
