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This article throws light upon the top five dimensions of personality development by Swami Vivekananda. The dimensions are: 1. Physical self 2. Energy self 3. Intellectual self 4. Mental self 5. Blissful self .
Physical Self:
As the name implies, it is the proper nourishment and growth of the physical body. A healthy mind in a healthy body is the principle of the physical self. Body building and proper exercise boosts not only one’s physical strength but also the moral strength. Swami Vivekananda’s statement, ‘It would be better to play football than to read the Gita’ indicates how strongly he felt about one’s physical self.
Energy Self:
Along with the physical self, the energy self is the one without which nothing can sustain for long. The simple act of breathing manifests this type of energy. Well regulated systematic breathing brings solace to the mind, and boosts energy. Feelings of intolerance, impatience, anger and anxiety can be effectively controlled by the energy self.
Intellectual Self:
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Man has been endowed with the gift of intellect. This gift should be properly cultivated and nurtured. Reading good books and literature that stands the test of time invigorates the mind. The intellectual self is stimulated by the reading of books on philosophy, moral science, and biographies.
As Swami Vivekananda says, ‘Fill the mind with high thoughts, highest ideals, place them day and night before you, and out of that will come great work.’
Mental Self:
A strong mental self is required for the grooming up of the personality. The mind by nature is restless. It wanders here and there and makes us deviate from our objective. Full control over the mind is a must for everybody. For this, calmness of mind and concentration are necessary, and should be cultivated.
Blissful Self:
The blissful self, often called Anandamoy Kosh, is the ultimate goal of mankind. To be a man of personality one has to reach this stage where only bliss or ananda prevails. He who has reached this stage can face the world with a smile. Neither joys nor sorrow of any kind stand in his way.
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Failure or success, bouquets or brickbats do not distract him from carrying on his work. This leads to his ultimate success, when he gets endowed with higher vision. According to the Swamiji, whenever we attain a higher vision, the lower vision disappears of itself.
This higher vision as enunciated by Swami Vivekananda is reflected in the behavioural traits of highly successful people. Some of these traits like leadership skill, interpersonal skill, resolving conflict or troubleshooting or the attribute of taking bold decisions are of vital importance to a person aspiring to go to the top.