“Be aware of your pedestals. Bring them down. Peace and silence will be yours.”

During my early days, I never consciously thought that pedestals existed within me. Yet the phenomenon of placing myself on a pedestal was happening constantly. As my self-awareness grew, I first realized the existence of a pattern at certain moments when I felt the need to always have an answer, always be right, or always be the one guiding others. It used to repeat itself with alarming accuracy.

I came to know that this was not just confidence but a mindset that placed me above others in certain situations. For example, as a mentor, I often found myself in the role of the “advisor”—the one people sought out for guidance. Over time, I realized that I approached conversations with an unconscious assumption: I have the answers. Even when I didn’t, I felt the pressure to say something insightful.

Likewise, I discovered that in various aspects of life, I was unknowingly reinforcing pedestals—whether in professional settings, personal discussions, or even small, everyday interactions. I started to dwell on the question of how and why this happens. I understood at a deeper level that the more I held onto this position, the more it created an invisible weight, limiting my ability to listen, learn, and truly connect.

Then the question arose—what happens when the pedestal is removed? This led me to embark on a journey of self-awareness—recognizing when I was holding onto a pedestal, bringing it down, and experiencing the peace and silence that followed. I started to let go; I felt that some space within me was getting created. I also started to experience a newfound freedom and silence. This paved the way for genuine learning and a lighter, more open way of being.

Chetlur S Prasad

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