Newsletter #4 - What is Inside-Out game?

What is the inside-out game?

It's pretty simple; the Inside-out game is observing and becoming aware of our thoughts and shifting to a better perspective about the situation rather than trying to change or control the situation or the person.

No, it does not mean you do not take action or let the situation be as it is; it simply means before you look outside to change things, you look inside and take action from a higher perspective.

But how does it work out in life? How do I change my life from the inside out?

Let's try to understand this through a story,

This incident happened a few months ago.

I became aware of the financial situation of my Martial arts trainer Ajith.

Before I talk about his financial situation

Let me tell you a bit about Ajith,

Ajith knows several types of martial arts; he's good at sketching, dances like a pro, knows how to play the Guitar, video editing, etc. He is younger than me and didn't seem to have any self-doubt.

He is one of the most talented and skilled people I have met in a while; at the same time, he is very disciplined.

It was my typical day at the training, and at the end of it, I was sitting on the grass and preparing to leave.

Just then, one of the older adults, who used to come to the park every day, started talking about what Ajith was going through and asked Ajith to share it with me.

I learned that in the place Ajith was living, there wasn't enough space to spread his arms; this room was actually a kitchen. When it would rain, the water would creep inside, and if it rained during the night, he wouldn't be able to sleep.

He didn't have the money to eat even two meals a day, and now the little money he had was coming to an end, and he didn't know where his next meal would come from.

Ajith is from Assam, living far away from his home.

He didn't even have any known person, a friend, or anyone from whom he could borrow money.

It was hard to believe someone so talented and skilled would struggle to meet his ends.

And yet he doesn't have money to even eat 2 meals a day; he is surviving at the bare minimum.

Surprisingly, this is not what surprised me.

What surprised me was that, when he told me about his situation, there was no rush, no panic, no complaints, and no sign of worry.?

He wasn't even asking for help.

Is there something wrong? Is he not telling the truth?

How would you react if you didn't know where the money for your next meal was coming from?

Or think about, How would you react if you got fired today?

Or, How would you react if you cannot reach your goals?

Or, if you cannot sign up a client after months of consistent efforts?

Coming back to Ajith, What's the secret that he was still so calm and composed despite his situation?

I look at his situation, and then I look at his face, which reflects the unwavering peace and contentment within him.

He has nothing, and yet he has everything.

But, what makes him stay so calm and peaceful, despite his situation?

Simply because It is not the situation but our "thoughts" about it that create our experience.

Deep inside he has trust in the process of life and an understanding that this is just a life situation and it shall pass.

Moreover, his well-being does not come from external situations.

As Louise Hay said,

"The only thing we are ever dealing with is a thought, and a thought can be changed."

Our current perception of reality is the outside-in perspective. It is often assumed that we are supposed to act and react in a particular manner, depending on the situation/circumstances.

Every news report, article, movie, Tv-series, etc., is based on an outside-in perspective.

All people are peaceful in the mountains.

All people are anxious and restless in the traffic Jam.

All people are scared of rejection and failure.

If someone gets angry at you, you get angry too, and so on.

For most people, it does turn out to be true, but it's not because of the situation but the similar thoughts we have in that situation.

Let's deconstruct this further,

Why do most people react out of fear when something goes wrong? Or something does not go according to their expectations? What are they thinking?

What are the underlying thoughts and beliefs?

• I never get my way.
• I am not doing enough.
• Life is unfair.
• It always happens to me.
• Why me?
• This shouldn't have happened.
• This is too hard.
• It's just not right.
• This is not fair
• I don't deserve this

No matter what the thoughts and beliefs are, they all arise from a place of lack of trust, lack of trust in the process, lack of trust in the Universe, and lack of trust in the flow of life.

From where does that lack of trust arise?

-Unquestioned thoughts and beliefs.

When we start to pay a little attention to nature and its working, the cyclical nature of nature,

We come to a realization that ups and downs are just a part of the seasons of life.

Like each autumn, trees lose their leaves (without worrying about what will happen to me without my leaves), and then comes the spring, where the new leaves grow and return more beautiful than ever.

It is the same with our mental state; when there is no resistance to anger, fear, or sadness, our state naturally returns to that of joy and happiness.

Notice the natural cycles all around, and you will notice that there is the same kind of pre-existing intelligence at work behind the scenes everywhere in nature.

That same intelligence is available to us when we allow it to emerge, and it guides us to the most beautiful places.

When we look outside of us for our mental peace and well-being, the only choice we have is to control or manage the situations and results, which at times can give the illusion that it's working just fine. Still, even if it seems like it's working fine, it takes a lot of effort, and in the end, it is exhausting.

It is similar to trying to fill a bucket that has holes in it; the water will leak, no matter how much you work on putting the water inside. Fix the holes (change your thoughts), and the water will stay, and it will be easier and more efficient.

And believe it or not,

You are always one thought away from a completely different experience.

-Syd Banks

If you are still curious about Ajith and how she is doing. He is currently in Mumbai and teaching Martial Arts; he is also getting roles in movies as a stunt double or an extra; he is also part of the upcoming film Jawan(feat. SRK).

P.S. - He only had one complaint, the kids that he is training are way too lazy.

If our thoughts create our reality, what are the possibilities we can create for ourselves and the world?

If you want to learn how to play the inside-out game, feel free to reach out to me. :)

Love and Cheers.