Distorted self-image and Auto-suggestion

Arjuna has fallen to depression because of his negative self-perception, forgetting what one is and imposing a false image on one self, called as distorted self-image. Bala Hanuman is a best example for this, in child hood while attempting to catch the sun, which was beyond his capacity, got a shock treatment, which lead to loss of self-confidence and in a deep rooted emotional psychological trauma. As a result, a negative distorted self-image was set into his inner psychological layer, masking his true potential.  Present day teenage boys and girls are more prone to such trauma resulting in parent-children conflict and many a times to dangerous outcomes like drug addiction and/or suicides.

Abhyasa yoga or in other words Autosuggestion is the technique to handle such situations, which is what Krishna is using on Arjuna. Autosuggestion involves identifying the strengths of a person and repeating it multiple times in various ways, such that the distorted self-image dissolves and the true potential emerges out. A conscious effort is made to avoid weaknesses and only strengths are talked about. At the sea shores when the entire Vanara sena including Hanuman was sitting direction less, not knowing how to cross the ocean, it was Jambavanta who proposes Hanuman as the one who can cross the ocean. He consciously talks about all the great deeds done by Bala Hanuman which slowly dissolves the distorted self-image and instills self-confidence, in other words Hanuman grows to his true potential Hanumad vikasa. Another example is the plot shown in the Hindi film “Do aankhe barah haath”, directed by V. Shantaram. The film portrays a young jail warden who identifies unique skills of six dangerous criminals, takes them out of the jail and rehabilitates them in a farm. He supports and directs all of them in their respective activities thus helping them grow to become virtuous citizens.

In today’s world, every parent should become an expert in autosuggestion, to help their teenage children discard their negative self-image and project a positive true self-image.