6 Character Traits of a Great Personality According to Sri Vethathiri Maharishi
A great personality is something we all strive for. We want to be liked, respected, admired and trusted. But how do you go from being average to being extraordinary?
In this article, I will share the character traits of a great personality. These traits will help you become a better person and, ultimately, a better leader.
Here are Six Character Traits of a Great Personality, according to my Guru, Sri Yogiraj Vethathiri Maharishi.
1. Contentment, Not Greed
Greed has destroyed many great people. It has ruined countless marriages. It has killed millions of friendships.
Greed is selfishness. And it leads to regret.
Greed is the enemy of fulfilment.
Greed is an insidious force. It masquerades as ambition. It disguises itself as an achievement. It sneaks up on you while you sleep.
It whispers lies into your ear until you wake up one morning and realize that you've lost track of your purpose.
It destroys families. It ruins careers. It causes pain and suffering, and misery.
Don't be fooled by its seductive powers. Don't be taken in by its promises.
Be wise. Be fulfilled. Be happy.
Practice Fulfillment.
2. Tolerance, Not Anger
How often do we hear stories of people getting angry and losing their cool? How often do we read articles warning about the dangers of anger?
These warnings are well intended. Anger does damage. It hurts others, and it hurts us.
Anger makes us defensive. It makes us less willing to listen. It makes us unwilling to compromise. It makes us selfish.
When we manage to channel our anger into productive channels, it helps us develop new skills. It gives us confidence and trustworthiness. It allows us to build strong relationships. It teaches us patience.
In short, anger is a powerful tool.
But too often, we allow our emotions to rule us. We let our feelings dictate our actions. We act irrationally. We lash out. We hurt others. We harm ourselves.
And this happens every day.
We get angry with our friends. We get mad at our spouses. We get upset with our kids. We get angry at ourselves.
We get angry all the time.
But there's good news.
Anger prevention is a skill. Like any other skill, it requires practice. It requires discipline. It requires effort.
But once mastered, neutralization of anger becomes a source of great joy.
Once mastered, anger prevention is the key to unlocking creativity.
Once mastered, anger becomes tolerance.
3. Charitable, Not Possessiveness
Selfishness is an obsession with me, myself and I. Possessiveness is an obsession with me and mine.
Both are dangerous. Both can lead to unhappiness. And both can prevent us from reaching our full potential. Both can hurt.
When we hurt ourselves, we destroy our potential.
When we hurt someone else, we deprive ourselves of the joy of helping others.
Generosity opens doors. It brings us closer to others. It expands our horizons.
Possession closes doors. It keeps us isolated. It limits our vision. It makes us smaller.
Compassion is love. Generosity is love. Possessiveness is hate.
Charity begins at home. And generosity starts with ourselves.
4. Chastity, not Immorality
In an age of sexual freedom, chastity has lost its value. People seem to think that sex is fine—as long as it doesn't happen too often.
They think that sex without commitment is okay. Sex without responsibility is OK. And sex without consequences is OK.
But marriage is the most potent force for creating stability and security in modern society. Marriage is the foundation of a family. It's the bedrock of a healthy community.
Marriage is the anchor of civilization.
Chastity is the most potent form of morality. Chastity creates order. Chastity builds communities. Chastity gives meaning to our lives.
Immoral behaviour destroys everything.
Without chastity, we destroy ourselves. With immorality, we kill everyone else.
5. Forgiveness, not Vengeance
Forgiveness is an act of compassion. It requires empathy. And it demands sacrifice.
To forgive someone who has hurt you, you must understand why they did it and acted the way they did. What led them down the road of betrayal?
And once you understand the reasons behind the behaviour, you have to decide whether forgiveness is possible.
Is it possible to forgive someone who betrayed your trust? Yes. Absolutely.
But it's not easy. Not without pain. Not unless you care about the person who betrayed you.
To forgive someone who betrayed your confidence, you must care enough about them to put aside your anger and frustration. You have to care enough to open up and share your vulnerabilities.
Only then can you truly forgive. Only then does forgiveness mean something.
Forgiving someone who betrayed your trust is difficult. It hurts. But it also heals.
Your only option is to forgive. To let go of revenge.
You are responsible for your happiness.
You are responsible for forgiving others.
There is no greater gift you can give anyone than forgiveness.
There is no higher form of love than forgiveness.
Now is the time to practice. Now is the time to forgive.
6. Equanimity, Not Vanity
Your mind is a powerful tool. Your thoughts affect your emotions. Your emotions affect your actions. And your actions determine your results.
Most people spend most of their lives chasing vanity.
They chase money, fame, status, recognition, and attention.
They work too hard, worry too much, strive for perfection, compete against others, seek approval, fear rejection, waste hours on social media, neglect their health, and focus on the wrong things.
All of this leads to stress. And stress makes us unhappy.
Equanimity is the opposite of vanity. It's the art of living without attachment to material wealth, reputation, status, praise, adoration or admiration.
It's the art of living with dignity, grace and humility. It's the art of living peacefully and happily, regardless of what happens for the rest of your life.
Equanimity allows you to accept whatever comes your way, good or bad. It gives you the freedom to be happy, regardless of external conditions.
And here's the kicker: Equanimity doesn't require effort.
Equanimity requires detachment. It requires letting go of the desire to control outcomes. It requires accepting that the universe has its plan.
It requires faith. It requires trust.
It requires wisdom.
Equanimity is not vanity. It's the ultimate form of self-respect.
Understand that life is fragile. And that’s why you must practice equanimity.
A superiority complex is the opposite of equanimity.
Superiority is an illusion. Superiority is an ego trap. Superiority is arrogance.
Equanimity allows you to be humble while simultaneously feeling confident.
An inferiority complex is a dangerous thing.
It makes us feel inferior, weak and helpless. And it creates an unhealthy relationship with the world.
It causes us to hate ourselves. It keeps us stuck. And it prevents us from achieving our potential.
At its core, the inferiority complex is fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of looking stupid.
It stops us from becoming the best version of ourselves.
Equanimity is the realization that we are children of God.
By practising equanimity, you develop compassion for yourself and others. And by developing compassion for yourself and others, you build trust in yourself and others.
By mastering equanimity, you learn to accept yourself and others without judgment. You learn to forgive yourself and others. You learn to value yourself and others.
You learn to treat yourself and others with kindness and respect. And you learn to appreciate the good in yourself and others.
I hope you enjoyed listening to this episode.
Do me a small favor.
Head over to iTunes to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. I very much appreciate your review.
Join me in helping people discover the heaven inside.
Thank you!
I have a gift for you.
Visit krishmuralieswar.com and download a free step-by-step guide to forming a life-long meditation habit.
Remember, I am here to help you succeed.
Until next time!
Love you.
Be Blessed by the Divine!
Krish Murali Eswar.