Reflection of Emotion: As the Mind, So the Vision

"Jāki rahi bhāvanā jaisī, prabhu mūrat dekhi tin taisī" — This profound verse from Bālkāṇḍa of the Rāmcharitmanas encapsulates a timeless psychological and spiritual truth. It translates as: “As one's feelings are, so is the form of God perceived.” This suggests that the Divine, or any greater truth, appears to each individual in the shape that their own inner emotions and beliefs project. Interestingly, this idea is not limited to devotional philosophy alone; modern psychology echoes the same principle through its studies on perception, projection, and cognitive patterns.

To understand how this phenomenon works, one must first consider how the human brain interprets the world. Our perception is not a passive reception of reality but a deeply subjective construction influenced by memory, expectation, mood, and emotion. This explains why two people may witness the same event but walk away with entirely different experiences of it.

This aligns with the Perceptual Set Theory in psychology, which posits that our expectations, prior experiences, and emotional states guide the way we perceive objects or events. For example, if a person is filled with love, compassion, and faith, they are likely to perceive God as kind and merciful. On the other hand, someone grappling with guilt, fear, or anger might experience the Divine as judgmental or stern. Thus, the “form” of God is not fixed; it is shaped by the inner lens through which we view the world.

An illustrative story brings this idea to life.

In a serene village, three seekers engaged in deep meditation at a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. All three yearned for divine vision. One day, they were blessed with a moment of spiritual revelation. The first seeker saw Shiva in a fearsome, fiery form and recoiled in terror. The second saw a calm, meditative figure and wept with devotion. The third saw Shiva as a joyful child and smiled with affection. Upon sharing their visions, they were bewildered—how could the same God appear in three different forms?

A sage who overheard them calmly said, “As your feelings are, so is your vision.” The first seeker harbored fear and conflict within, and thus saw a fierce form. The second was full of peace and devotion, and saw serenity. The third had a childlike, pure heart and saw joy.

Psychologically, this story is a metaphor for the Cognitive Appraisal theory, which suggests that our interpretation of a situation determines our emotional response. What we "see" is not necessarily the truth of the object or person, but a reflection of our own emotional processing and meaning-making system.

Carl Rogers, a prominent humanistic psychologist, spoke of the Phenomenal Field—a concept describing the individual’s subjective experience of the world. According to him, we do not react to the world as it is, but to the world as we perceive it to be. In this sense, God or truth takes a form that resonates with our inner state.

Furthermore, the Freudian concept of projection is deeply relevant. This defense mechanism involves attributing one's inner feelings or conflicts onto others. A person overwhelmed with guilt may see God as punishing. Someone who has learned self-acceptance may envision the Divine as compassionate and forgiving. Essentially, the outer world reflects the inner emotional landscape.

These ideas are not limited to spirituality alone. The same principle applies to relationships, education, leadership, and even self-image. A student may view a teacher as a guide or a dictator based on their own emotional framework. The world we experience is shaped not by objective facts, but by emotional filters.

Childhood plays a crucial role in forming these emotional filters. A child raised in love, trust, and encouragement will likely perceive life with optimism and openness. Conversely, a child exposed to neglect, fear, or rejection may see the world as harsh and God as distant or judgmental. These early experiences solidify into cognitive and emotional schemas that continue to shape perceptions throughout life.

Thus, this doha ("couplet") from Ramcharitmanas reveals a deep truth: If we purify our hearts, cultivate compassion, and shift our emotions toward harmony, our external experiences too will transform. It is a subtle call toward inner work. When the mind is calm, the Divine feels near and gentle. When the mind is agitated, even God appears distant or harsh.

In the present era, where mental stress, depression, and identity struggles are prevalent, this idea is more relevant than ever. It requires no grand religious experience—only the self-awareness to ask: "Am I seeing things as they are, or as I am?"

Therefore, the next time we find ourselves perceiving someone or something—be it a person, a moment, or even God—through a particular lens, it may be wise to pause and reflect: Is this the true form, or is it shaped by my inner state?

“Jāki rahi bhāvanā jaisī…” is not just a poetic line but a gentle torchlight on the path of introspection, reminding us that the Divine is often a mirror, reflecting our own essence back to us.

©®Payal laxmi soni