“Giving importance to self-expression causes frustration. The individual expresses himself through his conditioning, and that limitation which he insists is his self-expression, is but sorrow and frustration.”
— J. Krishnamurti
Much of what we call self-expression is just stating our opinions which, in turn, are often based on our conditioning, memory, and personal experiences. We want our opinions to be accepted, and when that doesn’t happen, we turn sour, hateful, and angry.
What if we listened more instead? What if we gave more importance to others’ feelings and emotions than to ours? We would find solutions rather than being stuck in stalemates. We would develop the wisdom to distinguish between things in our control and those outside. We would dissolve our ego and unlock our innate capabilities and goodness. And the resultant self-expression in any form—words, art, or science—would resonate with others and prove useful for them.
Today, when you’re tempted to share your opinions on social media or at work, stop for a moment. Then, consciously practice listening and keeping your opinions to yourself. Absorb diverse thoughts and allow them to circle in your head without losing it. That develops intelligence, the expression of which is always beautiful.