Know the difference between mind and mindset

open your mind to to magic of life by discarding meaning mindsets

One of India’s most successful second-generation business tycoons, Narayana Murthy, chairman of Infosys says, “Progress is often equal to the difference between mind and mindset”. Because our culture is so ancient and rich, it brings us the heritage of a vast pool of data, beliefs, mindsets and ‘givens’, which means we read the meaning, we want into many words and actions. For example, even in the modern era, millions of Indian considers women as second class compared to men. Lakhs of female fetuses are killed every year, creating a scary situation for population experts in our country. As corollary of the second-class status of women, our society believes in depriving women of education, opportunity and equal status in matters of inheritance and wealth creation. Blind superstitions dog our footsteps at every turn of events. We believe that religion sanctions many meaningless rituals. We are governed by social regulations of caste and creed, which have become lost all relevance to modern life. Men often believe that holding on to their ego and strutting around with a false sense of authority is ‘manly’. They also believe that conquest over women comes through sexual aggression and oppression. Women believe themselves to be ‘incomplete’ without men to call their own. Women also suffer when they remain unmarried or childless by choice or circumstances. A whole lot of beliefs and customs govern our lives and worse still, regulate or bind them. Many of these strangle our growth and progress. Therefore when you choose your own lifestyle, be prepared to use your mind for sifting out outdated customs and traditions, which prevent you from taking your life forward. Break all rules that strangle and limit you. Get rid of the nonsense in your life and open the windows of your mind to let in fresh breezes of new ideas, new solutions.

Do not believe what others say about you. Exercise the right to define yourself. Forget the “What will people say?” syndrome and venture out to find your dream without fear or favour. It is your right to achieve the goals you set for yourself as long as they are not unethical or hurtful to your nation, community, family or yourself.

A closed mind is the worst enemy of good sense.