UPBUILDING THE SELF

The Inspiration - Insecurity Continuum

Are you driven by inspiration or insecurity? For most of us, the answer will be some combination of both. But are you aware of the relative weight of each, and to what degree you project insecurity as inspiration?

In this episode, Hari Prasada interviews Rasanath about his coining of the term, “Inspiration-Insecurity Continuum.” They discuss the dangers of avoiding our insecurities, how to discern real inspiration from insecurity, and how to use the framework to be our best selves.
Podcast Hosts: Rasanath Das and Hari Prasada Das

Highlights

  • [1:40] Defining the “Inspiration-Insecurity Continuum”

  • [3:50] Projecting insecurity as inspiration 

  • [5:50] An experience in 2007 of an investment bank CEO projecting confidence about this being the best time to be working in the stock market 

  • [7:50] Overpowering a negative emotion with a positive emotion 

  • [9:00] Rasanath’s projection of inspiration even though there was also insecurity 

  • [14:00] How identifying only with inspiration prevents us from being our best selves 

  • [15:30] How individually avoiding insecurity leads to cultures of avoidance and overcompensation

  • [19:00] How to discern real inspiration from insecurity and how can learn to live with genuine inspiration

  • [28:20] Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s freedom from the ego as he was passing away from cancer 

  • [30:15] The Vedic teaching that we see the world the way our mind is

  • [32:20] The danger of self pep talks

  • [35:30] The culture of sharing our insecurities at Upbuild

Quotes

  • “When we project on the side of inspiration, we tend to hide the insecure parts, and become attached to the story around the inspiring piece.” -Rasanath

  • “Inspiration is a thing of the heart. The heart feels it and experiences it. It gets transmitted without needing to say something.” -Rasanath

  • “The most dangerous thing is our investment in the ego. And when we blow up our identification with the inspiration, we lock ourselves in the stories of the ego, which keep us in the prison of the ego. And then we never get to who we really are.” -Hari Prasada 

  • “What is most inspiring is true authenticity.” -Rasanath

  • “Authenticity is not the lack of insecurity. Authenticity is the full embracing of insecurity.” -Rasanath

  • “The weaker the ego, the stronger it’s hold on us.” -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.