Monday, February 2, 2015

KATOR RE BHAJI

Jose stood on the pulpit of the royal chapel. He faced the Queen, the King and the Court of Lisbon. Seized by stage fright, he was tongue-tied. His father, who sat below the pulpit, whispered in Konkani: ‘Hi sogli bhaji, kator re bhaji’ (they are mere vegetables, chop the vegetables). The son lost his dread and delivered an articulate sermon to great appreciation and generous applause.

From then on, Jose Custodio Faria deliberated how a mere phrase from his father could alter his state of mind so drastically as to wipe off his stage fright. This thinking had far reaching consequences in his life. Abbe Faria was one of the pioneers of the scientific study of hypnotism. He defined the power of suggestion and demonstrated the impact of ‘autosuggestion’.

So often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the situation. We know what to say but our thoughts go numb and actions get paralysed. Seeing his son’s predicament, senior Faria was able to make the suggestion that the task was never greater than chopping vegetables. He got his son to realise that since he knew what to say, he had no reason to fear.

Self belief is empowered by suggestion. However we may not always have the benefit of someone making the suggestion. Hence, we must choose the option of autosuggestion. We must cheer ourselves on. Of course, to be good at chopping vegetables or delivering speeches or taking on challenges, we must unite preparation and practise with the power of positive autosuggestion.

We must ‘unite to impact’ practise & preparation
With the liberating power of auto-suggestion!

- Pravin K. Sabnis
Goa, India.

No comments: