Inspiration depends on whether a person has been able to set selfishness aside. On the difference between inspiration and manipulation, service without expectations, and the physical, psychic and spiritual energy of inspiration.
Inspiration depends on whether a person has been able to set selfishness aside or not. When a person's mind is biased and they have their own "agenda," they will always interfere with the harmonious divine flow. It is this flow that is the main fuel of inspiration. To kindle inspiration in another, you yourself need to have this fire — the pure energy that our selfishness destroys. If there is no such flow, no words, even the most correct and clever, will have any effect on others.
On manipulation
Many people think that to inspire means to persuade others. But you can persuade from different positions. For example, sometimes you can persuade a person of something they don't need. In that case you can only overpower your opponent by force of mind: reasons, arguments, assurances. All of these are different hooks, and this kind of "inspiration" is called manipulation. Someone who has been "persuaded" this way will feel no inspiration and no joy; they will feel that they are going against themselves. People absorb such unconstructive, manipulative patterns of behavior from childhood.
To inspire, we need to go beyond selfishness and get rid of the mind's bias. The question should not be "How do I get the other person to do what I need?" but "What can I do to help the other person find themselves?" And in the course of the conversation, to help the other person find exactly what is truly important and necessary for them. This can be done only if we are ready to give the other person our spiritual energy, so that, at least for a short while, they have the strength to take the first step.
In yoga there is a principle, brahmacarya, which means "seeing the divine in everything." When interacting with others, it is important to see the very best in them, to believe in their infinite potential and their ability to be transformed. Don't hang labels on people: "you're irresponsible," or "you're not capable," or "your body isn't good enough," and so on. This comes from a lack of respect. Every person is a divine being; we need to remember, understand and respect this. When we love and believe in another, it is an incredibly rewarding feeling.
Inspiration does not belong to a person — a person belongs to inspiration
Inspiration is not a business deal in which we expect something from a person in return: "I'll do this for you, and you'll do something for me in exchange, or behave in a certain way." We don't know what we ourselves should be like, yet we expect certain behavior, words or actions from others. And when we don't get them, we try to remake the other person according to our own ideas of what is right and what is not. This is called bias — a selfish approach in which there is always the expectation of a certain reaction in return.
Inspiration implies an orientation toward service without expecting anything in return. The center of the universe is not ourselves but the other. When a person realizes that they love and respect another so much that they believe in them. This is quite a difficult path, and it requires awareness.
To inspire others, a person needs to have this energy within themselves. In all three of its forms: physical, psychic and spiritual.
The energy of inspiration
To have energy for inspiring others, first of all you need to take care of your body. We all enjoy spending time with young people. They are full of energy, they shine. Over time this energy needs to be preserved in the physical body. This is achieved through practice. Who do we prefer to spend time with: a gloomy, joyless person, or a healthy, cheerful one? We avoid the company of the first, while the mere presence of the second charges us and gives us positivity. When a person is overflowing with vital energy, they naturally want to share it with those around them. And when that happens, the space around comes alive and is transformed.
Inspiration is also expressed on the level of speech. A person's speech should be constructive, positive and inspiring. Any criticism, whining or gossip, in turn, kills life and drains energy.
The third level is the spiritual. On the physical and psychic levels we are all different, but on the spiritual level, inside, the world is one. Meditation is an important tool for awakening ourselves and others. When a person has made the effort to know themselves through meditation, they have come to know everyone. They can see what is in other people, what in them needs to be awakened and brought to life.
The opportunity to practice meditation is an incredible blessing, a grace, a tool that must be used for the good of others. One good meditation is enough to "feed" you with its spiritual energy for a whole week. Sometimes it's hard for us to concentrate, we go through various difficulties in life, our mind is clouded. But we make an incredible effort, sit down to meditate and regain our footing. Then at once there is a feeling that everything around has changed, the world has been transformed, and you are filled. This feeling of abundance fills us with the desire to share, to inspire others, to change the space around us. That is the power of meditation.
The key part of inspiration is the spiritual component. If a person has it, they become a match ready to light a million wicks around them by the sheer force of their inspiration.
Sustain your own spiritual energy through meditation. Remember the orientation toward service. Don't expect anything in return. Like a loving father — while helping, give everyone the freedom to choose their own destiny.
The world is waiting for your inspiration!