Suppose we have two acquaintances: one who gently explains to us our limitations during a mature discussion when we are seeking to learn from our experiences and one who sneakily whispers our limitations to us when we are trying to do something worthwhile. The first could be a valuable friend and coach, where the second could be a terrible enemy or critic.

Similar is the difference between self-doubt and self-appraisal. Whenever we strive to do anything challenging and especially when we are unable to meet that challenge successfully, we naturally question ourselves: “What exactly did I do? What can I do better? How? What am I doing wrong? How can I fix it? ” When we ask ourselves such questions calmly and objectively, in a serious yet kind mood that seeks self-understanding, we gain greater clarity and improve our understanding and performance. That indeed is the essential purpose of self-appraisal.

In contrast, if these questions come in sneakily and sinisterly, they undermine and sabotage us without we realizing what is happening within and how it is affecting what we are doing without. While we may have many enemies externally, no enemy can be as deleterious as self-doubt. And the ultimate attack of self-doubt is to severe the connection of the self from the one who frees us from all doubt: the all-loving divinity whose parts we all are eternally.

Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (06.05) encourages self-appraisal when asking us to elevate ourselves with ourselves and cautions us against self-doubt by urging us to not degrade ourselves with ourselves

One-sentence summary:

Self-doubt harms us by sneaking upon us when we are unprepared and unaware, whereas self-appraisal helps us by being taken up when we are aware and prepared.

Think it over:

  •       What’s wrong with self-doubt?
  •       What’s good about self-appraisal?
  •       How can you know when you are doing self-appraisal and when succumbing to self-doubt?

***

06.05: One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.

 

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