We can clearly see our shadow when the light is behind us. We even play with it sometimes and amuse ourselves. We know how it comes and goes. But there is another shadow that enters our mental makeup, veiling the clarity and confidence in us. The shadow of doubt.

The best amongst us can feel a sense of doubt time and again, in spite of our strong abilities. If we are capable and sincere, and we have been effective in the past, where does this shadow of doubt come from?

Doubt is the play of the mind when it has moved from the vital present into the realm of the unknown future. And the future being uncertain, when we identify with that uncertainty, we start feeling a sense of doubt.

It is the play of the mind when things don’t go as per plan. We know from experience that circumstances not being in our control, outcomes will often be different than what we had expected. When our security in success is shaken, the shadow of doubt creeps into our inner world.

It is a manifestation of our ego. When we see someone else doing better than us, the comparative ego in us starts doubting itself.

Just as darkness is nothing but the absence of light, doubt is nothing but the absence of knowledge and faith. Knowledge about ourselves, the world, and our relationship with the world. And faith, that if we have been placed in a situation, we have the ability to manage it. Sometimes life makes us wait. When our patience wears thin, doubt creeps in.

We can see our shadow when the light is behind us. When we turn towards the light, we can’t see our own shadow. Similarly, the shadow of doubt is dispelled when we turn to our inner light of faith, knowledge, focus, commitment, patience, clarity, and confidence.

Each one of us has tremendous untapped potential and inner strength to chart a wonderful life for ourselves and others. We are capable of much more than we know. Let there never be a shadow of doubt on that.

(Picture – West Coast of Ireland)