Man Can Outgrow Environments

Man Can Outgrow Environments

It is often said that man is the resultant of his environmental forces. This is not true. We cannot believe this, because the facts always prove the contrary. Many of the world’s greatest men have been born in poverty and in adverse circumstances. Many who have been born in slums and filthy surroundings have risen to the highest status in the world. They have won laurels of fame and distinguished themselves in politics, literature and poetry. They have become brilliant geniuses and beacon-lights of the world. How do you account for this?

Sri T. Muthuswamy Aiyer, the first Indian High Court judge in Madras was born in absolute poverty. He had to study at night under municipal lanterns. He had insufficient food. He was clad in rags. He struggled hard and achieved greatness. He rose above the environmental forces by his strong will and iron determination.

In the West sons of cobblers and fishermen have risen to high positions. Boys who did polishing of boots in the streets and who were selling beer in bars and were cooking in hotels became famous poets and able journalists. Johnson was placed in quite adverse environments. Goldsmith was “passing rich with forty pounds a year.” Sir Walter Scott was very poor. He had no place to live in. The life of James Ramsay Macdonald is worth mentioning. He was a man of great Purushartha. He rose from poverty to power, from a field-labourer to the status of Prime Minister of Britain. His first job was addressing envelopes for ten shillings a week. He was so poor to buy tea that he drank water instead. His main meal every day for months was a three-penny beefsteak pudding. He was a pupil-teacher. He took great interest in politics and science. He was a journalist. Gradually, through right exertion (Purushartha), he rose to the position of a Prime Minister.

Sri Sankaracharya, the exponent of Advaita philosophy, a spiritual giant and a brilliant genius was born in very poor, unfavourable environment and circumstances. There are thousands of instances like these. It is quite obvious, therefore, that unfavourable environments cannot annihilate the potential greatness and excellence of the future geniuses and that one can outgrow environments through diligent application, integrity, sincerity of purpose, iron will and strong determination.

Every man is born with his Samskaras. The mind is not a Tabularasa or a blank sheet of paper. It contains the impressions of thoughts and actions of the previous births. Samskaras are the latent potentialities. These good Samskaras are valuable assets for a man. Even though he is placed in unfavourable environments, these Samskaras give him protection against extraneous, undesirable, hostile influences. They help his growth and evolution. In the Gita Lord Krishna says: “There he recovereth the characteristics belonging to his former body and with these he again laboureth for perfection, O joy of the Kurus.” Ch. VI-43.

Miss not any opportunity. Avail yourself of all opportunities. Every opportunity is meant for your uplift and development. If you see a sick man lying down on the roadside in a helpless condition, take him on your back or tonga to the nearest hospital. Nurse him. Give him hot milk or tea or coffee. Shampoo his legs with divine Bhava. Feel the all-pervading, all-permeating, interpenetrating indwelling God in him. See divinity in the glow of his eyes, in his cry, in his breath, in the pulsation and motion of his lungs. God has given this opportunity to you to develop mercy and love, to purify your heart and to remove Ghrina, hatred and jealousy. Sometimes if you are very timid, God will place you in such circumstances wherein you will be forced to exhibit courage and presence of mind by risking your life. Those world figures who have risen to eminence have utilised all opportunities to the best advantage. God shapes the mind of human beings by giving them opportunities.

Remember that in your weakness lies the strength, because you will be always on your alert to safeguard yourself. Poverty has its own virtues. Poverty infuses humility, strength, power of endurance and the spirit of struggle and perseverance, whereas luxury begets laziness, pride, weakness, inertia and all sorts of evil habits.

Do not grumble, therefore, of bad environments. Create your own mental world and environments. That man who tries to evolve or grow in adverse environments will be a very strong man indeed. Nothing can shake him. He will be of a sterner stuff. He will have strong nerves. Man is certainly not a creature of environments or circumstances. He can control and modify them by his capacities, thoughts, good actions and right exertions (Purushartha). Theevra Purushartha can change the destiny. That is the reason why Vasishthaji and Bhishma have placed Purushartha above destiny. Therefore, dear brothers, exert, conquer nature and rejoice in the eternal Satchidananda Atman.

Man Can Outgrow Environments – Willpower, Growth, and Inner Freedom

Man Can Outgrow Environments is a powerful idea that teaches that human beings are not completely controlled by outer conditions. Environment surely influences life. Family, society, education, poverty, wealth, culture, friends, and circumstances all affect thoughts and habits. But they do not have the final power over a person who develops awareness, discipline, courage, and inner strength. Human beings have the ability to rise above limitations and shape a better life.

Many people believe that their surroundings decide everything. If they are born in difficult conditions, they think progress is impossible. If they grow up around negativity, they assume they must remain negative. If they face poverty, criticism, or lack of support, they may lose hope. But history and personal experience show that many great people have risen from unfavorable conditions through effort, faith, patience, and strong character.

Man Can Outgrow Environments because the human mind has the power to learn, change, and adapt. A person may begin life with weakness, but they are not forced to remain weak forever. Habits can be corrected, knowledge can be gained, emotions can be purified, and character can be built. The outer world may create challenges, but the inner world can create strength.

Environment can either help or test a person. A good environment can support growth, but it cannot replace personal effort. A bad environment can create difficulty, but it cannot completely destroy the power of the soul. If a person depends only on favorable conditions, they may remain weak. But if they develop inner discipline, they can grow even when conditions are not perfect.

Man Can Outgrow Environments through self-awareness. The first step is to understand how surroundings are influencing the mind. Bad company may increase laziness, gossip, anger, or desire. Negative surroundings may create fear and hopelessness. Careless habits may become normal because everyone around is following them. Once a person becomes aware of these influences, they can begin to resist them.

Willpower plays a major role in rising above environment. A person must decide that they will not become a slave of circumstances. This decision should not remain only a thought; it must become action. They may need to choose better friends, read better books, control speech, avoid harmful habits, work harder, and follow a disciplined routine. Change becomes possible when determination is joined with daily practice.

Man Can Outgrow Environments also means that one should not keep blaming the past. Past conditions may explain some weaknesses, but they should not become permanent excuses. A person may have suffered, failed, or been misunderstood, but the present still offers a chance to improve. Every day gives an opportunity to plant new thoughts, new habits, and new actions.

Education is one way to rise above surroundings. True education does not only mean school or college degrees. It means learning from books, teachers, experience, reflection, and life itself. Knowledge opens the mind and shows new possibilities. A person who learns continuously can move beyond the narrow limits of their environment and develop a wider vision.

Man Can Outgrow Environments through good company as well. If the present surroundings are harmful, one must search for better influences. Good people, noble books, inspiring talks, disciplined teachers, and spiritual practices can create a new inner atmosphere. Even if outer surroundings cannot be changed immediately, inner surroundings can be changed through thoughts, values, and choices.

Spiritual discipline gives the deepest strength. Meditation calms the mind, prayer gives courage, self-study gives direction, and service reduces selfishness. When a person becomes connected with higher values, outer difficulties lose some of their power. Such a person does not break easily under pressure. They learn to remain steady even when the world around them is unstable.

Man Can Outgrow Environments does not mean rejecting society or hating one’s background. It means refusing to be limited by weakness. A person can respect their roots and still improve themselves. They can love their family and still rise above unhealthy patterns. They can live in the world and still remain inwardly free.

The journey is not always easy. Old habits may return, people may discourage, and progress may feel slow. But every sincere effort matters. A small improvement in thought, speech, work, and behavior slowly changes the direction of life. One disciplined action repeated daily can become stronger than years of negative influence.

In the end, Man Can Outgrow Environments is a message of hope and responsibility. It tells us that circumstances may influence us, but they do not have to imprison us. Through awareness, effort, education, good company, discipline, and spiritual strength, a person can rise above limitations. Real greatness begins when the inner will becomes stronger than outer pressure.

The Many Phases of the Mind