#Inner Conflict

Embracing Contradiction as a Pathway to Growth

Transitioning from personal development to a broader cultural context, history is replete with examples where innovation stems from embracing the unresolved. For instance, during the Renaissance, figures like Leonardo da Vinci thrived by fusing science with art—realms once viewed as disparate. This synthesis of contradictions sparked creative revolutions and set the stage for future advancements, illustrating that growth on a societal scale often mirrors the internal acceptance of conflicting perspectives. [...]

Desire and Fear: Fragile Forces Shaping the Self

Desire, according to Tagore, disrupts the natural rhythm of the heart. Just as a sudden yearning can quicken our pulse, the heart’s metaphorical steadiness is threatened when longing overtakes reason. Literary examples abound, such as in Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ (1847), where desire leads characters to emotional tumult and heartbreak. This theme reminds us that, left unchecked, desire wields the power to destabilize emotional wellbeing. [...]

Conquering the Inner Battle: Lessons from Buddha

Transitioning from doctrine to daily life, self-conflict often arises between short-term impulses and long-term aspirations. Whether resisting unhealthy habits or overcoming self-doubt, these battles are universal. The story of Siddhartha Gautama’s meditation under the Bodhi tree illustrates this perfectly; he faced and subdued the temptations of Mara, symbolizing his own internal struggles. [...]

Embracing Destiny as Embracing the Self

Ultimately, acknowledging one’s destiny can become a catalyst for personal evolution, not passive resignation. Viktor Frankl, in *Man’s Search for Meaning* (1946), writes about finding purpose amid unavoidable circumstances, suggesting that embracing one’s path enables a deeper expression of self. In this way, to cease struggling against destiny is not defeat—it is the beginning of authentic growth. [...]

Living Restlessly: The Burden of a Bad Conscience

Psychological research has confirmed the proverb’s wisdom. Studies on guilt and regret, such as those by June Tangney, show that guilty individuals experience disturbed sleep, anxiety, and even physical symptoms. Guilt activates the mind, causing rumination that replaces comfort with restlessness—the very opposite of what a soft pillow implies. [...]

Writing as an Inner Struggle with Alien Ideas

Ultimately, Adichie’s insight suggests that by facing what is foreign within, writers cultivate empathy—not only for others, but for forgotten or denied parts of themselves. This process transforms alienation into belonging, allowing the writer, and by extension the reader, to forge deeper connections across lines of difference. Thus, the struggle embedded in writing enriches both the individual and their community. [...]

You May Find the Worst Enemy or Best Friend in Yourself - English Proverb

It warns against self-destructive behaviors such as procrastination, insecurity, or fear, which can hold one back. At the same time, it encourages developing inner strength and resilience to overcome obstacles. [...]