The Sacred Art of Non-Competitiveness
The Art of Non-Competitiveneness and the Collaborative Spirit
Noncompetitiveness refers to a state of being in which one does not position or perceive themselves in an oppositional stance towards others but rather adopts a collaborative spirit. And when there seems to be an order or classification—including some sort of hierarchy—all parts should work cohesively in their assigned places in a spirit of collaboration, feeding upon one another’s strengths.
It is an important skill, especially for someone on a spiritual path to master, as it can and will save one from unnecessary trouble.
In nature, things tend to polarize. This means that any extreme belief, notion, or act will inevitably invite a polarized counterpart, leading it to adopt an oppositional stance. Polarization occurs when a bipolar impulse mirrors itself with opposing qualities, creating a dynamic of contrast and tension.
Competition, conflict, or chaos always starts somewhere, and occurs for various of reasons, but it’s actually quite hard to discern the origin once it has begun since things become highly multifaceted at that point. Any extreme notion, intention, or action almost inevitably invites its counterforce—the pushback. At this point, we enter the realm of sides and divisions. Let’s call it duality-stuff. This is why it is essential to cultivate balance in everything one engages with.
Stay engaged—but remember, the point here isn’t to avoid excellence, it’s to avoid extremes.
Paradoxically, not picking sides is very important, but so is standing firmly for one’s values, truth and identitety.
This world is full of sub-imperium-like groups, each with their own ways and agendas–some working for Goodness and some not.
However, In different realms and parts of a body, different atmospheres inevitably and naturally manifest. It is important to honor that. Take, for example, people who live in a certain climate or culture and have specific predispositions. That is understandable. But any group claiming supremacy over another is not—it is a bug of the mind exerting dominion over what does not even belong to it. This is why non-possesiveness of Yoga aligns well with non-competitiveness. Non-competitiveness is indeed Yogic.
Self-protection is an entirely different matter, like in a case of people defending their rights instead of succumbing to injustice.
So many fights are fought because of opinions, or because people have picked a side based on a view. Or perhaps it’s not even an opinion, but a valid truth. Always hold on tightly to your truth. But still, if there is a very strong identity tied to it, it’s like saying: This universal thing is mine, and it’s better than my fellow’s discovery.
Yet, once you’ve truly walked the path—when the truth has burned through you, shaped you, and been lived in your bones and cells—it does become yours. Not in a possessive way, but as embodied wisdom.
Spiritual Competion
Take any activity, then take a group of people who are into it. Now take the average of those people and be astonished to see that, usually, the average does not represent the full potential of the given subject—even if it is something as esoteric and profound as spirituality. It should be holy and pure, shouldn’t it?
I was once very idealistic about spirituality and just about everything else. I was a pollyanna. I also thought that everybody involved in holy things must be saintly. If everybody embodied what Scripture says, they would be. We tend to think that others are like us, so in my case—being good and sort of naive—I naturally mirrored that onto others. Why wouldn’t I? I was in spiritual circles!
Now, what are the odds? The odds are better than they would be elsewhere, but still, there are some. There’s still a risk of competion among spiritual seekers–like there is in any field.
My intention is not to judge or bad mouth anything or anybody—though I value solitude and cherish introspection. I have learned many things simply by doing–applying, what I call a progressive personal protocol. Rather, it is to point out that various attitudes, people, and intentions exist in all fields, even the sugar-coated ones. Competition, especially, is something that have plagued spiritual paths and organizations since the first century. That’s why I think it’s important to welcome you to reflect on: non-competitiveness.
We are all piecing the puzzle of Life back together in our own phase and time, and each one is undeniably unique conduit for Light. Each person has to navigate both personal and interpersonal realms, while ultimately and inevitably moving towards the completion of the Divine Picture–within and without.
Collaboration, Service, Benevolence, and Joy–The 4 Pillars of Non-Competitiveness
It is essential for a calm, Life-loving devotee to master their inner attitudes and always cultivate a spirit of collaboration, service, benevolence, and joy—never approaching fellows with malicious intent. The spiritual path is about Spirit. You can’t take it, put it in your pocket, and call it yours (though some do). The path is about surrender and letting the Sacred Sovereign’s reign take the lead.
Wars—inner and outer—are fought, families ruined, countries buried in debt, partly because of competition and antagonism.
Because person X decides to do something extreme, person Y feels the need to compensate with another extreme action. Or just because many people simply want to win. Or should I say–the mind is a funny thing?
It is natural to thrive and, in a sense, to be in competition with life. This is normal—but very different from the form I’m referring to. We can’t erase some basic natural tendencies, but as we are nature too, our job is that of correctly guided maintainers and cultivators. That said we can also teach nature and consciousness—that’s our duty. By directing these tendencies well, we fulfill that duty and become peaceful and Life-loving. There are such strong energies flowing through us that I don’t believe they are meant to be suppressed.
Society is driven by what are called striving parts—subpersonalities originally designed to ensure survival but which have taken command. The intensity of this energy depends a lot on the culture you are part of. The office has become home. But as Jesus said: The office was brought for you, not you for the office.
These parts drive people to do more, even when they are already doing a lot. There is this constant sense of inadequacy, fear, and the need to compensate. And all for safety! Isn’t that interesting? Isn’t it fascinating how careful we are?
These parts can take a toll, as their drive is colossal. They embody all the collective striving and fight for life—and that’s one big fight, always ongoing. When everybody is striving like crazy, it naturally invites competition.
If you are like most people, you probably have all that you truly need for life maintenance and happiness–atleast some happiness. Yet, if you are like many people, you may still feel inadequate most of the time. Isn’t that right? That feeling comes from these striving parts, ensuring you stay safe—from ending up in a ditch. Aren’t they wise? Respect and honor them, but remember: just because the alarm is ringing doesn’t always mean there’s a fire. You can tell these strivers that.
When you understand that:
Nobody is probably out to get you.
There’s room in this world for all of us.
Contribution is better than competion.
You become a collaborator.
And whenever you work on projects or pursuits—"striving" is welcome! We have work to do–for there is hope for humanity if there is work–not otherwise.
This work is no competition or slavery but allowing of the Innate Spirit to shine forth.
There are many methods to allow this to happen and my intention in this blog is to shed some light on how that can become a living Reality. Of course, only if it already isn’t. However, this can occur but seemingly, not in Reality.
Never underestimate striving parts.
Non-Competitiveness Contemplation
Take a moment to settle in if you haven't already. If it helps, take a few deep breaths. Then, ask Life, or the Spirit–what ever resonates with you–to guide your contemplation. Once you feel calm and ready, we can begin.
Think of something you are truly skilled at. For the best results, it is wise to pursue only one or two things deeply in a lifetime. If there is something you excel in, choose that and consider how proficient you are at it. How does this make you feel? Does it bring pride, a sense of superiority, or something special? Or is it simply genuine passion?
Perhaps you are really good at piano, singing, or even rock climbing. Maybe you are really intelligent. Now, this doesn't make you, in a sense, better than anybody else; we are inherently equal. But it does make you proficient, and more refined in that particular area, than someone who hasn't put in the same effort and may not be as talented naturally.
These are all fair questions, and however it is for you, there is no judgment here. But mastery comes with great dangers if we do not remain humble and grounded. Often, those who achieve excellence struggle to coexist, leading to unnecessary conflicts—even though, ideally, they should celebrate one another. Since this is not always the case, I invite you into a beautiful visualization and contemplation to foster harmony and non-competitiveness.
Return to the skill you have chosen. Imagine how much effort it took—hours of sweat, tears, and perseverance. Now, if you knew someone else existed with the same level of ability, how would that make you feel? The ideal response would be to connect in a collaborative spirit—allowing both of you to grow—rather than falling into the trap of competition and division. Or, if there's no need or desire to collaborate, there can still be peace.
Because when we compete, we polarize and further delude ourselves. But when we collaborate, we expand and grow.
As you imagine meeting this person, observe the emotions and sensations that arise. Do you sense any lingering feelings of competition or threat? What if they received recognition for their work while you remained unseen? Could you accept that your value remains unchanged? These feelings are natural but problematic—they must be acknowledged, understood, and transformed, for they do not serve us–but instead, hurl us into chaos.
Antagonistic tendencies work against life itself. The word antagonistic carries a certain weight—it evokes a primal survival impulse. But those who are truly great could and should work together. Overcompensating, proving superiority, or trying to “win” should never be reasons to engage in any pursuit. Inspiration should be the sole driving force and it can’t be forced.
If we acted only out of inspiration, did our work well, and contributed alongside others with the same high-minded spirit, the world would be a far better place. There would be no ego battles between professionals in the same field. We’ve all seen these battles between artists, musicians, authors–you name it. For where there is human condition there seems to be competion.
To free ourselves from competitiveness, we must transcend small-minded tendencies and motivations. We must recognize that it is always God acting through us—and in Divine Creativity, there is no concept of “better” or “worse.” True mastery requires the surrender of ego, for how could imperfection ever release perfection?
Now, imagine yourself in perfect harmony with this equally skilled person. Envision two, three, or more of you working in a collaborative spirit for a higher purpose. Each time a ‘lower’ impulse arises, release it into the Light. Feel yourselves resonating together, creating stronger waveforms through unity. If one of you falls, the team falls. To prevent this, there must be no judgment and therefore perfect acceptance, as well as no personal ambition—only the Creative Will, uncovered through surrender, never arrogance.
I play guitar and constantly work on refinining various other skills. I play the best when I sort of forget about myself and improvise. Sometimes I don't even fully understand or remember what I played–or what I said or wrote if I was working on that.
Mastery is a delicate and beautiful thing—it happens for the benefit of all, not as a means to threaten or prove supremacy, but to bring joy and inspiration. All individual success contributes to the collective good, yet those who transmit it often bear the heaviest burdens and face the greatest risks. We are here to manifest Divinity into living reality—not to compete, not to tear each other down.
Special skills are meaningless and egoic if they are not purely sattvic, guided by higher intelligence, as if flowing without forcing. We must approach life like a flower—without judgment—celebrating the success of all while remaining indifferent to failure, yet compassionate toward fragility. Take time to laugh at yourself. This experience is impermanent—let’s use it well, not compete. Nothing belongs to us. All our efforts will fade like sand slipping through our fingers when we depart this world, never to return. So now is the time to give our all, to collaborate—not compete.
Patriarchal frameworks and our reptilian-brain impulses constantly drive us toward primitive behaviors, yet the Infinite painted this world into itself like a masterpiece—for expression, joy and liberation. And if the very act of questioning intelligence is ultimately delusive, then why strive to understand everything through intellect alone? Why speculate a contradictionless existence? Healthy questioning resembles Self-inquiry, but taken too far, it becomes a desire for dominion over phenomena. The Creator swung the brush and created a painting upon the vast canvas of space. You are part of that brushstroke. The colors blend together—that is how art is made.
There is enough space for us all to be skilled and strive for excellence in our endeavours. True greatness is dynamic, a silent power that does not invade or take—it elevates and inspires. It challenges people to rise from passivity and create meaning.
One word of caution: it's wise to be mindful not to become dominating or arrogant in your endeavors. But if your intention is pure and your conduct full of Goodness, you need not worry. Simply keep connecting meaningfully with other professionals, contributing like riders on the same wave.
Keep cultivating the FLIP-protocol as outlined in the previous post: Flexible, left-minded, inclusive, progressive. It will assist through the process–we are in this together.
That one who works for Me alone, who makes Me their goal, who lovingly surrenders to Me, who is nonattached, who bears ill will toward none (beholding Me in all) — that one enters My Being, O Arjuna!
-Bhagavad Gita
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