Theory

          As human beings we never know the reality. We only know our perception of reality. In fact, it is not reality that limits us or empowers us but rather our map of reality. This is what we call as our internal map. We see, feel, think and behave in accordance with our internal map, perception or paradigm. In fact, we see the world not as it is, but we see it, feel it as it is within us. We can find a world with a whole lot of opportunities, if we can broaden our internal map. Our task here is to create the richest map possible that respects the interconnected nature of ourselves and the world we live in.

Story

                  The story dates back to December, at the time of winter, when a small candle manufacturing workshop in a tiny Scotland hamlet received the bulk orders for manufacturing candles for a few churches around. As the orders were more, and with the workers hand few, the workshop was struggling to meet the deadlines. Christmas was nearing and the workshop had to clear the orders.

             The owner of the workshop Charles was just about to leave to get back home, when his phone began to ring. He picked up the call, and it was a reminder call from a church administrator, Michael seeking the delivery of the bulk order, by next day evening. Mr Charles after concluding his telephonic conversation told the workers that they just had a day left, and they should be able to complete the work by the next day afternoon and deliver the candles by evening.  He also added that the upcoming day should be one of immense labour and dedication, and appealed to all the workers to give their best at the workplace, the next day for fulfilling the promise. Having said this owner Charles, waved his hands at the workers, before he took leave for an evening with his family.

             The workshop opens at 10:00 in the morning. The owner Charles reached the workshop at around 10:30 in the morning, the very next day and to his surprise found the workers, quite relaxed and doing no work. One of the workers James was playing with his tools, sitting comfy in an easy chair. Another worker with a beard, named Mathews was leaning against the wall and was sort of day dreaming. The eldest amongst the lot, Chadwick was sitting, with his head on the desk, as if preparing for a nap. The middle aged guy Richard was on the telephone speaking and smiling. The owner Charles lost his temper, and started shouting without waiting to hear anything from his workers. He felt that his workers seemed to be irresponsible, lacking commitment and purpose. He vent out his anger at the workers for not doing any work and simply wasting time, knowing the fact that they had to deliver the candles that evening.

Before the owner Charles could use any further spiteful words, Chadwick rose up and interrupted. “Please listen to me. We have completed the work on the order. After you had left for home, in the evening, we had decided to stay back and complete the work. We worked the entire night and finished our work. The candles are ready to be shipped”, he said. “After the long hours of work, we are all tired and hence decided to relax a bit. We haven’t gone home since we came to the workshop yesterday morning” he continued.

Charles had tears flowing from his eyes at the end of the narration.  He went ahead and apologized to the workers, hugged them and asked them to go home and relax.  The fact is that Charles did not know the reality, but developed his own perception of reality, which was far away from the truth.

Quote

“Your entire life is a virtual reality, because you are seeing it only in the way it happens in your mind.” 
— Sadhguru

Take Away

We can find a world with a whole lot of opportunities, if we can change our perceptions and broaden our internal map.