The Realist And The Idealist
Pulkit Sharma
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As children we live in a world of fantasy where everything happens according to our will. In fairy tales, the dead are resurrected, truth always wins, illnesses are cured magically , human limitations are transcended and bliss and harmony prevail and people live “happily ever after“. As we grow up, everyone around us thinks it is important to puncture this childish world of idealism and make the youngster come to terms with reality . This is done through explanations, reward and punishment.We are often given kind advice by family , friends, neighbours, teachers and traditional psychotherapists: “Be anchored in reality ,“ they say. Despite this, some of us remain idealists; or, we experience a life-long conflict between the realist and idealist part within us.The realist is someone who upholds factual, scientific truth and pragmatism and sees himself and the world as being governed by these laws. He will often follow and accept socially and culturally constructed reality and aim to live in the present. Realists wish to limit themselves with mainstream existence.
The idealist, on the other hand, is more of a dreamer; he chases perfection, unity and looks for a hidden grand agenda operative in everything.He rebels against mediocrity and wants to harness what he believes is a vast potential in self and the cosmos. For idealists, an authentic and meaningful living that makes world a better place, is the guiding force.
Modern science, medicine and psychotherapy warn us against the toxicity and hazards of idealism. They concur that because an idealist lives and chases a fantasy he is bound to fail miserably and become frustrated and psychotic. In fact many prevalent models of psychotherapy including psychoanalysis and cognitive behaviour therapy have detailed strategies to make people renounce their exaggerated fantasies and develop a robust reality principle.
The big question is: Does it really help to be a realist? While a predominant majority would say `yes', new studies in the field of positive psychology are proving the opposite. For example, in a 2014 research carried out at Florida International University with a group of students, it was found that individuals who demonstrated a high level of self-actualisation by following their ideals experienced a greater sense of well-being regardless of life's adversities.
In her teachings, The Mother explained that perhaps the grea test human misery of our times is renouncing the childish fanta sies and ideals that all of us hold, r of harsh realism. She said that in favour of harsh realism. She said that although it may seem silly to those who have not practised it if we build stories in our mind that are truly beautiful, harmo nious, powerful and well-coordinated, these stories will start shaping our life.
In the Mother's practice of Integral Yoga, the dreams of childhood are potential realities of mature age provided we paint and chase those dreams with perseverance. From this perspective, realism and idealism are not divorced from each other. Idealism can give birth to a newer, better and beautiful realism.
Then why do we need to endorse a current reality which is so depressing and filled with darkness, anger, greed, hatred, violence, abuse, separateness, pain and mundaneness within and all around us? Why not use our poetic, artistic and spiritual consciousness to create a new reality that is full of truth, love, light and bliss? Somewhere, hopefully there is a rose garden that awaits us
The idealist, on the other hand, is more of a dreamer; he chases perfection, unity and looks for a hidden grand agenda operative in everything.He rebels against mediocrity and wants to harness what he believes is a vast potential in self and the cosmos. For idealists, an authentic and meaningful living that makes world a better place, is the guiding force.
Modern science, medicine and psychotherapy warn us against the toxicity and hazards of idealism. They concur that because an idealist lives and chases a fantasy he is bound to fail miserably and become frustrated and psychotic. In fact many prevalent models of psychotherapy including psychoanalysis and cognitive behaviour therapy have detailed strategies to make people renounce their exaggerated fantasies and develop a robust reality principle.
The big question is: Does it really help to be a realist? While a predominant majority would say `yes', new studies in the field of positive psychology are proving the opposite. For example, in a 2014 research carried out at Florida International University with a group of students, it was found that individuals who demonstrated a high level of self-actualisation by following their ideals experienced a greater sense of well-being regardless of life's adversities.
In her teachings, The Mother explained that perhaps the grea test human misery of our times is renouncing the childish fanta sies and ideals that all of us hold, r of harsh realism. She said that in favour of harsh realism. She said that although it may seem silly to those who have not practised it if we build stories in our mind that are truly beautiful, harmo nious, powerful and well-coordinated, these stories will start shaping our life.
In the Mother's practice of Integral Yoga, the dreams of childhood are potential realities of mature age provided we paint and chase those dreams with perseverance. From this perspective, realism and idealism are not divorced from each other. Idealism can give birth to a newer, better and beautiful realism.
Then why do we need to endorse a current reality which is so depressing and filled with darkness, anger, greed, hatred, violence, abuse, separateness, pain and mundaneness within and all around us? Why not use our poetic, artistic and spiritual consciousness to create a new reality that is full of truth, love, light and bliss? Somewhere, hopefully there is a rose garden that awaits us
