Responding to the Call of Role or the Call of the Soul

 We oftentimes struggle to get into role appropriate behaviour which is out of duty towards people around us. All of us need to be dutiful towards our children, our parents, our teachers, our employees, our students and our colleagues.

We wish to project a good image of ourselves in the world that we exist. This image is also important for good functioning in that particular role. Otherwise, there will be conflicts, misunderstandings, let-downs and interpersonal dilemmas if these are not addressed.

Hence, it is important that in a society there are people who follow the norms, values and discipline of that particular society.

Deep down within each one of us is also a soul which feels, discovers and experiences life with different emotions.

This calling may not be in accordance with the roles or people who sanction your behaviour.

End of the day you are answerable to yourself for who you are as an individual or human being.

Hence, there are continuous dilemmas around whether I respond in a role appropriate behaviour or to the soul which evokes and nurtures a different kind of feelings.

The soul would contain elements of authenticity, integrity, humanity and what it is you wish to be at the end of the day.

The role pulls you into role appropriate behaviours which may not integrate with your beliefs and convictions.

Hence, what is right and what is wrong is decided for each person at that time and place and the moment he is living.

Sometimes there may be role appropriate behaviour that may not tally with some other person’s soul related conviction whereas someone who is extremely responsive to the soul may not tally with the requirements of the role.

Each human being dilly-dallies between these two callings and it is important that you are true to yourself whether in the role or in the soul.

If I were to reflect on myself I would love to respond from the evocation and callings of the soul but I also see myself being caught up in being the good mother, the good wife, the good boss, the good friend, the good colleagues, and all of that.

There is no judgement for anybody which is the right spot or right location where one park himself. But definitely in the human evolution as we evolve as human beings there is a progression towards a higher state of being. The more we move towards the soul related calling the more our society becomes real, vibrant authentic and beautiful.

Author:-Dr. Nayana Shah (Ph.D.)

           Director, Manthan

             Ahmedabad  

Comments

  1. Sudeshna bhojiaDecember 13, 2021 at 4:24 AM

    Wonderful! Insightful!

    The other day, my colleague and I were having a meeting with the the boss - relating to setting the tone of the annual capacity building programme for the leadership team of the organization.

    Having usually reported to the boss in monthly meetings, reviews, budget sessions, etc., I was treading the path with lot of caution and formality. With her immense experience of handling situations and human beings, she must have noticed this and steered the discussion in a way that started making up feel comfortable and hence more engaged in the discussion.

    After some time she reflected, "I wear many hats. The hat that I am wearing now is that of an explorer. I seek to explore how to reach out to people and help them work to the fullest of their capabilities".

    She continued, "I am not wearing the business hat right now. But when I mean business, my transactions would be different!"

    Our meeting concluded after some more time. But what she said made a lot of sense. To a large extent, the goals that we set - the dreams that we dream, the paths we choose to walk, dictates the behaviour. The behaviour is intentional- to create a desired outcome.

    Having said that, it is equally important that we are aware of and attend to the calling of the soul. Then, that becomes the role appropriate behaviour - indulging in soul nurturing behaviour. Only thing we need to be clear about is the role descriptions and deliverables. If that is clear, the role appropriate behaviour is bound to follow.

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