By Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar | Posted: July 10, 2020

How do you like it when your friends show off? You may not like others showing off, but you like to show off. Where does that get us? Have you thought about it? Hypocrisy and  too much ego.

You know, it’s okay to show off, but you should do it only rarely and sparingly. Don’t be so docile that you never show off, and just remain quiet and keep all your talent to yourself. No point! But when it comes time to really show your talent, you may get nervous. You don’t show off when it’s appropriate. And then you feel regret, thinking, “Oh, I should have exhibited my talent.” Right? 

Leaving space for others

So, what’s the solution? We don’t like others showing off, but we like to show off. We know we want to show off and we don’t leave that space for others to do the same. If someone is showing off, let them! Why not compliment people?

We’re so stingy, we cramp up when we have to compliment others, yet we like to receive compliments. This doesn’t display good character. You can’t be loved by people if you want to show off, while you don’t let others exhibit and express themselves. 

People who show off too much aren’t respected. Do you want to be respected or do you just want to show off? Respected! Still, in the same breath I’m telling you to show off! You know the peacock? It just shows off sometimes during the day, not all the time. You wait to see that, wow! Like the peacock, wait to show off at certain moments in life. 

Show off and celebrate

When it’s needed, show off. When you go on the stage, show off. When you’re with people, show off. When there’s a time to show off, you do it, without nervousness. If you feel nervous, take a long, deep ujjayi breath. Do you know what ujjayi breath is? Breathe in from the back of the throat with a little sound. Learn meditation. Do bhastrika.

Then you’ll know when to show off and when to close in. Do you see what I’m saying? Suppose you’re playing with people younger than you, juniors. Do you want to show your power with them? Suppose you’re playing cricket or basketball or some game with young people where you have 100% chance of winning. Do you enjoy that game? Which game is more enjoyable? Competition creates enjoyable challenges. 

When others win

But you should enjoy playing with children also. Why? You must make them win. There are only two positions in life. Either you win and you’re happy, or you make others win and you’re still happy. How many of you are upset or unhappy when you lose a game? When you lose you become miserable. 

Do you play games with your friends or with your enemies? Suppose you win the game and your friends feel miserable because you won. You live with such a double standard, such hypocrisy. You want your friends to rejoice and feel joy in your victory, correct? So will you change your own reactions starting today? 

Joy is in the process

That’s what a game is. Whether you win or lose, irrespective of the result, you’re happy. The whole process, the whole playing of a game, is something that’s meant to be enjoyable. So now, you’re going to be happy even if you lose because you’re celebrating the joy of someone else winning.

We don’t have to win all the time. Why should  we have to win all the time? It gets boring! Life will be so boring if you have to win all the arguments. In our life, come what may, enjoy every moment, attend to every moment. That’s living. This is Art of Living. Enjoy the whole process. The whole process is what life is all about. 

Just like this talk suggests, you can discover how and when to display your talents at Beyond Breath - A FREE Breath & Meditation Online Session With a Live Instructor. With confidence, you can enjoy the unavoidable ups and downs in the process of the game of life.