Complexes, as you would know, are believed to influence an individual's attitude and behaviour.
There are 2 types of complexes: rn1. Inferiority Complex and, rn2. Superiority Complex.
The term ‘superiority complex’ refers to a pattern of behaviours that profoundly express the belief of ‘I am greater than everyone’. Those exhibiting the superiority complex hold a self-image of great supremacy. They always feel that their opinion is far better than the others and that they are much more superior than their peers. This complex itself makes them have an overly high opinion of their self, and they do not even care if others don’t think them to be so.
A normal person may be striving to be superior due to his ambition to be successful; but as long as this striving does not lead to false valuations of the self, which are at the root of the superiority complex, it cannot be termed as a complex.
An innate feeling of superiority exists naturally within the people with a superiority complex. They speak as if they are all-knowing and they are imposing on whosoever they meet. They take up any task without fret or fear. But they fail to love people as they are full of complaints and criticism for everyone. They flair up if someone tries to impose his ego onto them. People in general are scared of them.
They are always wanting to do things they think worthwhile, their sense of ‘I am doing’ extends very far and wide. They are bold and aggressive, never submissive. They are prompt in decision-making and they don’t take much suffering - if it works, fine, if it does not, that too is fine.
Such is the superiority complex. However, it is very different from self-confidence. Let’s see how...
‘I am something’ is a belief that signifies the ego of superiority. An increase of this ego is what gives rise to a superiority complex.
Whereas he who has self-confidence, is someone whose egoism has actually decreased! Lesser the egoism, greater the self-confidence! The feeling of confidence comes from factual valuation but the feeling of superiority is a result of the bombastic ego representation. rnAnd egoism always causes damage; it causes interference. rnUntil things happen favourably, people having a superiority complex are seen soaring high.
•They believe they are better, cleverer, more important and superior than the other side,
•They carry an air of superiority in whatever they do, and
•They flaunt their superiority wherever they go.rnBut when things misfire, they are shattered as their ego gets broken to pieces. They can bear the loss of money, they can bear the loss of people or things, but they cannot bear a scratch to their ego. It brings them immense suffering...
So, what is the cause of this suffering? It is very important to understand...rnOne does not have the power to do anything in this world, things just happen. Yet what do we claim? ‘I did it.’ This is the wrong vision and is indeed the very root cause of suffering.
By believing, ‘I am greater than everyone’, one enters into a competition with the world and starts racing with this wrong vision. While running for the number one position, everyone dies panting and the prize is awarded to only one. And say, the prize-winner happens to be you, how long will the prize remain with you?
The one with the ego of having great skills and know-how will eventually only get exhausted in this worldly race not gaining anything whatsoever out of it. rnBut why did ego creep in, in the first place?rnBecause of our ignorance of “Who am I?” and “Who is the doer in all of this?”
And how does one get rid of this ignorance?...rnTo get rid of the ignorance, you ought to pray that you meet the circumstance of meeting the Living Gnani, the Enlightened One, at the earliest and receive the real knowledge (Gnan) from him.
The Gnani graces you with the realization of who you really are and who is the real doer in this world. And thereafter with the help of spiritual directives and blessings of Gnani, you can slowly get rid of all your ego!
But how does one resolve the Superiority Complex in specific?rnSay ‘I am smaller than everyone’. This too is a form of ego. But by harnessing such ego, one gradually becomes smaller and smaller until he becomes completely and genuinely humble in his worldly conduct. Thereafter, whatever you do will be done wonderfully! For that:
1.Make a strong intent in favour of achieving the status of the smallest in the worldly conduct. The smallest never has any fear of falling or breaking. Achieving the state of the smallest, you can sit on the side and enjoy the race that’s going on in the world. Your personality will shine once you have moved away from the race.
2.Until one’s intention of becoming big is gone, unless the inner belief of ‘I am something’ is gone, the intention to be the smallest cannot take hold. rnSo, garner the awareness of every pitfall in harnessing the superiority complex and also know every benefit of achieving the state of the smallest. Begin by building a list of the two – the advantages of being the smallest and the disadvantages of imposing superiority.
3.Observe in your life that when you do not behave with superiority, how well the other person behaves with you; how people remain straight-forward and down to earth in dealing with you. The fact is that even God is pleased with the one who has no ego. ï
4.Leave behind your habit to see others as inferior by seeing positive in everyone and learn to say, ‘All are right from their viewpoint.’ Your pride will begin to disappear then.
5.To break a complexity is very difficult, it is next to impossible. However, if you:
a.Try and keep a watch on your ego through the day and maintain awareness, it will slowly come in check.
b.Every night before going to sleep, make it a rule to close your eyes and see where all your personality bossed around, where all you criticised people and in what all manner did you hurt each one that came in interaction with you.
c. Apologise to God for every instance of hurt by you and make a firm resolve that ‘no one should ever get hurt by my superiority’.
d.Remain an observer of the complexity and never support it, never encourage it nor take its side, positive changes will occur. Change shall not be spontaneous; it takes time, but it will happen for sure, provided your intent is pure and you are determined to come out of the complexity, no matter how severe the complexity is!rnAfter Self-Realization, the above steps become easier to follow and yield better results too.
With the help of Gnani and the Gnan, you can treat the real cause of the superiority complex. You will yourself notice that the complexity starts losing its strength and gradually you start soaring to real heights. rnOne day, you will have built your real Self-worth and you will be living with your true strength, experiencing an amazing bliss of liberation forever and ever!!!
Please visit
https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/self-help/competition-in-daily-life/superiority-vs-humility/