Let me share the story of the caterpillar and the butterfly. The caterpillar wants to fly. But to fly in life, it has to undergo a major transformation, and it can be a painful transformation. Even after it has given up being a caterpillar, and it is transformed into a butterfly, it still has to struggle its way out of a cocoon.
And at first we think, how terrible. It should not be so difficult. But what we have learned now is that this struggle out of the cocoon strengthens the butterfly's wings. So what initially seems like a struggle, this condition, this cocoon, can actually be the necessary strengthener to fly!
In this story, the cocoon represents the condition, and gradually these tools and techniques that we learn in this program strengthen our wings of centeredness and mindfulness, so that when we come out of the cocoon, we can truly fly in life.
If we allow this cocoon time to be a gift, if we would shift our perspective and see it like that, rather than an obstacle, we can come out of the other side of this condition stronger, lighter, and just feeling like we have those authentic wings to fly.
So we can completely change our perspective towards the condition. Normally, we are annoyed at it. We just want it to all go away. We resist how we are feeling. But what if instead, we can realize that this condition is an opportunity for a deeper evolution of who we are as human beings.
Because by struggling in the cocoon, the butterfly was able to strengthen its wings, so by the time it got out, it could spread its wings and fly!
Whatever you are going through in life right now, as difficult as it may be, let’s reflect on how that situation might be helping you to grow, how you might be becoming stronger as a result of it.
Ashok
Ashok Gupta is the Director of the Gupta Program. He has dedicated his life to helping people get their life back from Chronic Illness, improving people’s well-being, and helping them achieve their potential. He has been teaching meditation around the world for over 15 years. He runs a global e-clinic specializing in treating ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia & Multiple Chemical Sensitivities – guptaprogram.com
Ashok has spent many years researching the brain neurology of emotion and linking well-being tools with science. He has published medical papers on the basis of stress-related illnesses. He has appeared in many media as an expert on stress on the BBC, CNN, Guardian Newspaper, ITV, The Independent, and many others.
He wrote and presented the Meaning of Life Experiment which is a Free, Award-winning Meditation and Self-Development App www.themeaningoflife.tv
He also works with companies around the world, teaching courses in Leadership, Time Management, and Personal Development. www.ashokgupta.tv