Human beings are so strangely obsessed with goals that the games that they designed to have fun too become quite stressful because we get so obsessed with winning. This is reflected in almost every game we play in the streets or in the Olympics. As soon as winning the game becomes primary, we stop enjoying the game. Probably, the reason for the same phenomenon is the basic architecture of our brain. Our brain can hold on to only one thing at a time. Either we think of the result or play the game. If we get obsessed with the result of the game, either the expectation of winning or fear of losing takes over our attention and we lose concentration on the game and end up performing worse than what we could have.
There are few, who would say that until and unless we are concerned about the result, we would not be able to concentrate on the game. I fully agree with these people in situations where the player has no love for the game and playing under peer pressure. In that case, if he is relaxed, there is a possibility that his attention will get diverted to the thing he loves. Fear may keep the attention on the result of the game and due to that fear he may be able to concentrate on the game. However, the moment he wins or loses, he will no longer be interested in the game. That is what happens with many people who qualify for IITs, NEET, UGC-NET, and Civil Services examinations. They give their best for the examination, due to the fear of being regarded as a failure or for the sake of getting the job, and the moment that target is achieved, they are no longer interested in learning and remain mediocre throughout their career because they have no love for the job or the subject they handle. And the ones who could not qualify for these exams always live with a scar of failure.
It appears to me as a criminal waste of life. We live fearfully for the entire duration of studies, fearing for the results and after we have cleared or failed in the examination, we have nothing to look forward to. Or alternatively, we set new targets to achieve level two or three, or further levels. Our eyes are always on the result and we suffer in the present moment. Post the result, we set a target for the next result and get ready for the suffering in the present moment again. We end up living our entire lives suffering and as a result, when we are on the death bed, we feel quite disgusted and die full of regrets.
As opposed to this, if we have an interest in life, every subject is a window to life, as my mentor, friend, Philosopher, and guide Chabra sir tells during the dialogues. Once we see the reality of the games society plays with us, we are no longer interested in earning points while playing the game. We are no longer interested in winnings or losing. We are just interested in exploring the game. We want to understand life while playing each game. We want to enjoy each delivery and every stroke we hit the ball. Each catch and fielding is fun. That brings our attention to the present moment and when we are in the present moment, unconcerned about the future or past, we live life fully.
If we are curious about life, everything will be quite interesting. If somebody loves cricket, he loves every game, whether his favorite team plays well or worse, whether it wins the game or loses, whether the match takes place in India or abroad. Similarly, if somebody loves exploring life, he would explore the same in every activity and assignment, in the office, and at home. Yes, where there is a choice, he would like to opt for deeper explorations such as reading books, being with nature, having deep discussions on life, and exploring deeper subjects like Science and Astrology. It is because these explorations give us chances to know the deep secrets of nature. However, if that is not an option, every routine discussion, and work too offers an opportunity to explore reality. Even a talk with a shallow person gives an opportunity to explore why certain people are so fixated on their shallowness. However, the moment we get fixated on the results of such interactions, they become quite painful. The explorer gets fixated on his desire to explore a particular phenomenon, rather than exploring what is available for exploration. Explorers, have keenly explored even while living in hell-like conditions such as Nazi concentration camps, and have got the inspiration to design new techniques like Logotherapy from those experiences. It is not the type of experience that matters, but rather what matters is the way we observe the same: focussing on the outcome or the process. If we are curious about life, we will always connect to the process. The moment we lose that curiosity, we start focussing on the outcomes, and crossing the levels in the game society is playing with us.
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