When in doubt, ask, "What would the Übermensch do?"

By Sadhika on

A realisation struck me a few days ago - I need to expose myself more to environments where I assume an apprentice role, and be surrounded by individuals more knowledgeable or competent than myself in their pursuits. In other words, I need to be humbled more. 

In my discussions with older family members—such as aunts, uncles, and my grandmother—I've noticed that they infuse every other utterance with references to God. Phrases like "Bhagwan ki kripa se sab theek hai" (All is well by God’s grace) or "Upar wale ki marzi rahi, toh ye bhi ho jayega" (It’ll happen if God wills it) are commonplace. Their greetings involve invoking God, as do their interjections. Even after a long, tiring day, they sigh or yawn, followed by the name of Rama. 

While I do have daily praying rituals, I realise that I lack this constant remembrance of God in my moment-to-moment interactions, not only in my personal language but also in conversations with others. I am uncertain if I can fully articulate the value of this God-infused language in daily life. I sense that it arises from a combination of humility and a surrender to God for the outcomes of our lives, rather than attempting to control them to the extent where any unpredictability or setback evokes a sense of failure. 

Like many in my generation, most of my social interactions revolve around friends and colleagues, focusing on problem-solving in areas such as career, finances, family dynamics, or relationships. Over time, my work has become a comfort zone, and it's been a while since I faced a situation where I felt less adept. Even my hobbies and interests outside work follow a similar pattern - measuring a day's success based on completed tasks and progress on various life fronts. When all you do is problem solving, you tend to divide your day out in tasks and micro-tasks, and try hard to “perform” all the time, whether it is in completing work deadlines or cooking a wholesome meal or even reading a book. 

Reflecting on these aspects, I realised my impatience with slower, less productive, or less creative days, as well as sick or sleepy days, or unpredictably eventful days. I've become accustomed to minimising chance, and have little tolerance for uncertainty or incompetence (in myself and in others). In this pursuit of control and efficiency, I couldn't help but wonder: If the Übermensch were to stub his toe, would he curse the stone? Or would he incorporate a triumphant dance into the stumble?

What if I deliberately placed myself in an environment where I'm the incompetent one? A religious gathering, such as at a temple or ashrama, comes to mind. Here, surrounded by older, wiser individuals with greater scriptural knowledge, I would be constantly reminded of how little I know about my own religious faith, how little I accord to God, and the many ways I sin every day. Could this experience teach me patience? Could this voluntary confrontation with failure teach me tolerance? In Nietzschean terms, could this “down-going” be my “over-going”?

“Ah! my brother, hast thou never seen a virtue backbite and stab itself? Man is something that hath to be surpassed: and therefore shalt thou love thy virtues,—for thou wilt succumb by them.”  - Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spake Zarathustra.


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