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A few months back, I was watching a children’s television show with my nephew about Indian folk tales in cartoon form. The story is one that even features in the Osho Zen Tarot Card deck as the explanation for the Major Arcana card called Conditioning.
It’s about a lion that was brought up by a herd of sheep and even thought he was one.
In the television version, the lion even wore a sheep skin and made sounds like a sheep, sharing their habitat and eating grass.
Then one fine day, an old lion that was passing by saw the sheep-lion and literally forces him to see his reflection in the forest pond.
At that moment, the sheep-lion awakens to his identity and lets out a huge roar that resounds throughout the jungle. Leaves fall, birds fly away, the deer go scampering and the rest as they say is history.
I’d say the lion found his Gravitas!
Looking at it in modern day context, quite a few of us get caught in a herd mentality.
We forget there is a difference between personality and individuality.
It’s an indicator of low Self-Awareness and consequently low Emotional Intelligence.
We adopt a personality based on others’ perceptions and externals instead of looking within and finding our true voice – Our Roar.
The 2 Life Direction Choices Before Us
This story brings out the two choices that we have for direction in life.
We can either go along with the majority of society without thinking for ourselves. It is easier not to take decisions and responsibility for the quality of our lives.
Or we can choose to break free of conditioning and be guided by our inner Higher Source of wisdom.
A person who is tuned into one’s Higher Source or God-Mind will find that they will be intuitively self-directed to rely on that intuitive self-direction from a Higher Source.
The many benefits of choosing to turn to the Higher Source
When one embraces guidance from one’s Higher and true self, the decisions that we make are the right ones for achieving the purpose of our soul in this lifetime.
Letting go of personal egotism, we also let go of our illusions. Thus, becoming more aware of ourselves and our surroundings.
Focusing on externals alone can get us caught in judgments whereas turning inwards to our Higher Mind by maintaining a positive and peaceful attitude at the surface part of one’s consciousness through the practice of meditation, visualization, prayer and affirmation will enable us to raise the right vibrations in the atmosphere for our Higher Mind to more readily influence us through intuition.
While the directions for affirmations, prayer and visualization are simple and can easily be learned by reading self-help books, it is the student who has to be prepared to let go of any previous conditioning.
The student must seek to listen to his/her Inner Voice and committed not to let personal ego and emotion corrupt the guidance messages received.
Making changes however may at times require being shown our reflection in the mirror either by our well-wishers or a guide.
This is perhaps where the old lion came into the story. To be the catalyst that changed the sheep-lion into a real lion!
But there’s more to just realizing that we need to step into our authentic power. Once we have the wake-up call, it’s time to answer our Call to Adventure. This Kindle book will guide you on your transformation journey – guaranteed!
Have you ever had a catalyst that awoke your sleeping inner Lion? Would love to read about what it took to help you find your True Voice in the comments box below.
ROAR!
Once you’ve found your Roar, it’s equally important that others become aware of it, whether in your business or workplace. That’s where you’ll find this Executive Presence Tutorial useful.
Lion Roar by Lee Wag
Image by Heri Santoso from Pixabay
Written By: Vatsala Shukla
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What a great story and illustration of our universal need to belong that ends up looking more like fitting in rather than expressing the authentic truth of who we truly are. I am grateful for my life’s journey in authentic expression and the encouraging and celebrating others on the path! Thank you!
Authentic self-expression is important for us to live a meaningful existence, Kelley. One can always belong in a group of like-minded people but we must never allow our voice to get lost in the crowd.
I can’t remember the last time I was a part of any herd ever except maybe when I was very young. I was usually the one who spoke out and challenged authority. Motherhood awakened me to the idea that we don’t need to be one of the flock and I’ve always tried to teach my children and grandchildren that same idea.
Same here, Barb. I was and am still quite outspoken although I temper my words and use logic to get my views across now. Individuality is important and the only herd I would join is one where there is a common cause for a higher good. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
This is a powerful story Vatsala, and perfect example of how people hide their true identity trying to fit in to the accepted norm. This stifles our true authentic roar. Part of the wisdom of growing older is learning to follow our own ‘inner’ path and express it in the ‘outer’ world to the best of our ability.
Thanks Debra. We owe it to ourselves to exercise self-expression because one never knows who needs to hear us for inspiration and motivation.
I love this story because from the point of the sheep the Lion, realizing his true nature, must have seemed scary and dangerous. It is possible that aligning with our true nature may seem threatening to other people, especially to their Ego’s. We have to trust in our loving intention and with divine guidance, without blaming the sheep for trying to protect themselves.
Lots to reflect upon.
I agree, Ana. Stepping out away from the crowd and acting on the possibility of ‘I am unique or different’ can be daunting.
I have always been one to break away from the family and crowd.It was born in me, I began as a child. Although, it can feel lonely at times,I need to follow my inner voice rather than go with the crowd. I have been on a wonderful journey and trust in the Divine’s plan for me. Thanks for your writings Vatsala!
I can relate to that Lisa. Individuality is a gift and if our parents encourage it when we are young, it is a blessing. It can indeed be lonely at times but if our views are heard by the right people, we can inspire them to find their own unique voice too. That’s worth a roar!
Great and thought-provoking post, Vatsala! Thanks!
You are welcome, Vanita. Glad you enjoyed reading it.
Beautiful analogy. I would think the reborn lion would always hold his sheep family deep in his heart. He may be roaring, but I’d hope he’d still exhibit gratitude for the family that raised him. 🙂
Thanks Debra. It would be nice wouldn’t it? That might happen but there would be a lot of emotions that the lion would need to deal with before realizing that the sheep were kind enough to take him in. Often happens when we wake up and discover ourselves. Then begins the journey of healing, forgiving and moving on in our journey towards self-realization and actualization. Thanks for dropping by my blog!
I love this story. In our society, sometimes great damage is caused by conditioning from those we view as authorities or purveyors of the ‘norm’ – young girls are often portrayed as having poor body image or self esteem resulting from popular culture’s influences. And, when those norms are re-enforced via personal friends or school biases, it can either send someone to therapy for years or a strong sense of ‘not belonging’ that can lead to more therapy! It takes a strong, healthy sense of self and supportive family to defy the narrow paths many are told to follow. Frankly, I think the internet is a marvelous tool to discover alternatives and I believe the 21st century is opening up many minds and imaginations to the greater choices we all can make to find and enjoy enriched lives.
By the way – just wondering what happened to all the sheep buddies of that reborn lion??? Lunch???
Thanks Andrea. I agree the internet when used properly makes for broadening horizons and learning of alternative viewpoints. There will always be those who will try to condition others towards their views to maintain status quo and it will take courage and perhaps an older or stronger person to remove the smokescreen for more lions to be reborn.
I always assumed that the reborn lion and the old lion would have become sparring partners and had a shot at the sheep buddies. Or maybe the reborn lion decided to leave his past and sheep family behind and moved on to greener and juicier pastures?