Let You Be Greater Than Your Life

– By Dr Nav Ropra. 

Some say that life is short.

What are they comparing it to when they say this?

Does anyone have anything which is longer than their life?

Life is the longest thing you will ever have!  It has both linear (quantity) and depth (quality) aspects to it.  Let us explore what this means.  Mankind tries to emulate nature as it has harmony, beauty and golden proportion.Nature touches something deep within us as we relate to its vastness and our senses come alive. It expands us.  Plants utilise photosynthesis to grow towards light, towards something bigger than them.  This movement towards a greater energy source is a powerful attraction for them.  In that growth, flowers bloom, colours shine and scents develop.  Plants are designed to spread their seeds long after the flowers have gone.  Some say there is innate intelligence in this, that the flowers have a purpose.

Animals also have an inbuilt intelligence to move towards that which is nourishing and avoid that which is harmful.  Theirs are more instinctual and survival based responses with primitive thought.  Migration of birds during the seasons or hibernating during winter time. They can also be considered as purposeful.

So what do humans do?  How are we purposeful?

We have something which moves us and makes us grow.  I call them the five I’s of life.  Instinct, Intellect, Intelligence, Intuition and Inspiration.  Each need to be clearly understood in order for us to reach our full potential in practice life.

We have Instinct just like animals have.  This happens faster than we can think and our actions preceed our conscious thoughts.  You may have suddenly withdrawn your fingers from a patient’s mouth to prevent them accidentially biting you.  This is Instinct.  It is a body orientated reflex to protect us from harm, from the unknown.

Intellect is mind orientated and involves the known.  The taking in of information, much like one does to pass dental exams.  It can be a regurgitation of facts or figures and relies on memory.  Perfectly acceptable for getting an education.  One can have a great intellect and be educated, but due to a lack of experience in practice, not be very wise.

Intelligence involves a knowing.  The journey of intelligence involves experiencing, learning from ‘mistakes’ and adapting.  The practitioner who runs an intelligent practice will get far.  They will see both sides of the coin.  They will have the wisdom to embrace both the supports and challenges of practice life, the ups and the downs and still maintain their vision.

Intuition goes a little deeper.  It involves wisdom and the heart.  It is a certainty in what you are doing and a knowing that you know.  The practitioner who listens to their intuition, has great sensitivity.  The are able to relate to others, patients, staff, relationships in a way which magnifies their life and the lives of others.

Lastly comes Inspiration which has the greatest depth.  This is the cresendo of life and embraces Instinct, Intellect, Intelligence and Intuition.  It is a knowing that you know, that you know.  Inspiration does not come from you, rather through you. When you are Inspired you have the maximum amout of kinetic and potential energies to create.  When you are inspired, then there are no problems or challenges  just opportunities to share your love and wisdom. When you are Inspired, the purpose which calls you is vast.  You become the energy which others are attracted to.  When you are Inspired, you have the opportunity to consciously create something greater than your life.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said;

“Its not the length of life but the depth’ 

Let each moment of each day in practice be Inspiring and have depth.  This is the You which is greater than your life.  Then You are eternal.