UPBUILDING THE SELF
Tolerating Provoking Situations
“When you squeeze an orange, you'll always get orange juice to come out. What comes out is what's inside.” It was hearing this quote, by Wayne Dyer, that inspired Rasanath to really look at and feel confronted by a distastefully sarcastic comment that he had made toward someone he loves. In this episode, Rasanath and Vipin do a deep dive into the concept of tolerance, shedding light on the significance of consciously working through problems rather than hastily reacting or seeking escape. They focus on the importance of putting space between stimulus and response, responding rather than reacting, the consequences of a lack of tolerance, and how we can leverage this wisdom for healthier and happier relationships.
Podcast Hosts: Vipin and Rasanath
Highlights
[1:50] Rasanath’s inspiration for his reflection on “Tolerating Provoking Situations”
[3:50] Rasanath’s personal examples during the pandemic
[9:20] The true test is when you are tested
[10:50] The dangers of not being tolerant
[12:50] The first level of tolerance
[15:20] “We have to respond, not react.”
[16:30] “If we don’t transform our suffering, we will inevitably transmit our suffering”
[27:00] Should we address every provoking situation?
[29:30] Tolerance opens us up to what other stories are possible
[45:50] Showing up selflessly
Quotes
“[Tolerance is] the gap between the provoking situation and your response.” -Rasanath
“Any situation that arises, that’s provoking, is creating suffering in me.” -Rasanath
“The container for the transformation of our suffering is tolerance.” -Rasanath
“When there’s a stimulus, the first thing that we need to do is create a pause before we respond.” -Rasanath
“Our entire life is a practice around tolerance.” -Rasanath
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.
