UPBUILDING THE SELF

What To Do With Guilt

Michael, Rasanath, and Hari Prasada dive into guilt—an emotion we all encounter but often misunderstand. Through engaging examples—from battling inner critics to avoiding plastic bottles—they reveal how guilt is a reflection of our conscience, the interplay between guilt and shame, and why it’s essential to understand what guilt is truly pointing to. They unpack common reactions to guilt—suppressing, avoiding, or wallowing—and guide you on how to channel this feeling into an opportunity for personal growth.

Podcast Hosts: Michael, Rasanath and Hari Prasada

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform

Highlights

  • [01:00] Rasanath, Hari, and Michael share personal examples of what they feel guilt about

  • [04:00] What is guilt?

  • [11:00] How guilt helps us maintain a "good person" narrative

  • [15:50] Suppression, avoidance, and wallowing

  • [20:30]  The destructive loop of indulgence and suppression, and the concept of bhoga and tyaga

  • [24:50] Insights from Gabor Maté

  • [28:10] Constructive ways to deal with our guilt

  • [33:00] Guilt as a lever for character-building and behavioral change

  • [39:30] Transforming guilt into humility

  • [46:30] Guilt’s role in helping us move toward our true selves

Quotes

  • “Guilt is the feeling of burden in connection with something wrong about me.” - Hari Prasada

  • “…Each time we don't see what exactly [guilt] is trying to convey to us, then we are avoiding or suppressing.” - Rasanath

  • “The important thing is to preserve what guilt is trying to say about our lifestyle, and then take small steps in the direction to…change.” - Rasanath

  • “Guilt is only productive in so far as it inspires change.” - Hari Prasada

  • “Guilt is usually trying to get us to see something negative…but there's also a flip side. What is the potential that this guilt is pointing me towards? What is the guilt allowing me to attain? If I act on it, what kind of character is it shaping me into? If I am to heed the guilt in the most constructive way, the potential is lying on the other side of the guilt.” - Hari Prasada

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.

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