BASIC NATURE AND PERSONALITY

Written by

 Brij Sachdeva

A child is born with certain distinguishing constitutional personality traits that are fundamental to an individual. It does not mean that these distinguishing personality traits are the only criteria to figure out the basic nature of an individual. Three factors are responsible for the development and establishment of the ultimate basic nature of a person.

1) Constitutional Traits 

2) Childhood Reality 

3) Overall Environment

Constitutional Traits

‘Constitutional traits’ is the embodiment of characteristics of an individual's genetic makeup, which is largely inherited, also described as genotype and phenotype. When you visit a homeopathic doctor, they may prescribe a constitutional remedy intended to address all the ailments and diseases you may encounter throughout your life. The doctor will ask you various questions about your symptoms, such as whether you find the smell of car smoke pleasant. They will also inquire about your likes and dislikes, food preferences, and personal habits, including activities like reading, playing, and your emotional tendencies such as happiness and sadness, as well as whether you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert. Based on all of these constitutional symptoms, they will determine the appropriate constitutional remedy for you. These constitutional traits are indicative of your genetic makeup.

Childhood Reality

Childhood reality consists mainly of the surrounding life situations in the initial years of life. A child who gets respect, care and love in the family develops a different kind of ego, swagger and strength of mind than a child who is deprived of all these privileges. Actually, the damage or the enhancement caused to the strength of mind by the closest people and surrounding life situations in the initial years of life is almost irreversible. Childhood reality leads to the development of basic nature. When a child turns to their parents to share concerns about friends or experiences of being treated unfairly, the parents’ reaction can significantly influence the child's emotional development. The way they address these feelings can lay the foundation for the development of a child's basic nature. For instance, if a parent listens attentively and validates their child's feelings, saying, "I understand that it hurts when friends don't treat you well," it encourages the child to express emotions openly and fosters a sense of security. Conversely, if the parent dismisses the child's concerns or responds with indifference, it may lead the child to feel misunderstood or reluctant to share their feelings in the future. This supportive interaction not only strengthens their bond but also equips the child with the tools to navigate future challenges in relationships, ultimately promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

Overall Environment

Overall environment includes the reality that one lives in, in the broadest sense. Physical attributes, social standing, relationships, financial status and nationality, all contribute to the totality of an individual. It includes literally anything and everything deemed to have social significance. In addition to this, the comprehensive understanding of an individual's life circumstance is not solely the result of their current and historical environment throughout their lifespan; rather, it is also significantly influenced by the extensive conditioning of the human mind over millennia. This concept may be referred to as systemic totality, fundamental reality, or another term, yet it is a critical factor that shapes an individual’s fate and destiny.

Basic Nature

Basic nature is a relatively permanent part of the way one thinks, feels and behaves. It is unique to every individual. As one grows, everything changes, within and without. People, situations, preferences, priorities, inclinations and prejudice- everything changes, but there is something deep inside- the self, the real you or the basic nature that never changes, down the decades. Once the basic nature gets established in the initial years of life, overall environment has only a little effect on basic nature. After the establishment of basic nature, environmental changes can affect personality only, not basic nature. The foundation of the basic nature of a person develops in the initial eight years of life. Some people may develop timidity during childhood due to circumstances. Even if they later become a prime minister, they may remain timid. Others may develop boldness and remain bold, even if they become a servant. You can wear different types of armor to conceal your true nature. By avoiding certain situations, practicing abstinence, and pretending to be someone you're not, you may hide your real self from others. However, your true nature will eventually reveal itself through your gestures and reactions during critical moments.

Personality

If you are a plumber, you will behave like a plumber. If you are a bank official you will behave differently and if you are an agent of an insurance company you are bound to behave that way. You might have noticed the fact that all the plumbers behave in a similar way. They will be less talkative and reserved kind. Their work is monotonous. Their nature of work is such that they acquire the typical personality of a plumber. On the other hand, carpenters have their own kind of personality. They are more talkative. They mix up with others very soon. This is because their work is creative. Have you noticed the behaviour of a tyre puncture fixer? They have certain distinguishing personality traits. You might have wondered sometimes why most of the clerks acquire a certain kind of behaviour which is very specific to a typical clerk. Especially, almost all the bank clerks seem to be made of same kind of psychological stuff. Their work is monotonous kind and they don't need to interact or mix with people. On the other hand you might have noticed that taxi drivers are very talkative and have good sense of humour and communication skill. This is because they have to interact with different types of people each day. There may be exceptions. If there are rules, there are exceptions too.

Determinants of a person's individual identity

So it is a mix of environmental factors, physical attributes, priorities, preferences, inclinations, vested interests, fears, fearlessness and all kinds of psychological attributes that make a man. And out of these, vested interests and fears are the primary.

If you want to know the reason for the difference between the behaviour of two persons, focus on their vested interests first. Then focus on their fears, risk factors and vulnerabilities. Thirdly, focus on the richness and poverty of their totality which includes everything mentioned by me in the overall environment. These are the primary drivers of personality. The main factors that shape personality are crucial to understanding the behaviors of individuals. By understanding why a daughter-in-law behaves as she does and why a mother-in-law acts in her particular way, you will start to realize that they are fundamentally similar. The illusion of good versus bad will diminish, and the tendency to judge between them will gradually fade away.

Conclusion

When you finally come to the point of realisation that all the humans are same, only their realities are different, maybe you become more tolerant, more forgiving, less judgmental, less discriminatory and more sane.