what lies beyond greatness

"...we are moved by contact with greatness
because it is innate in us."

A few months ago, I was sent a copy of the book Something Beyond Greatness. As with all books I'm sent for free, I was skeptical. According to the website dedicated to the book, the book's focus is "deconstructing the internal shift that gives rise to acts of courage, heroism and altruism," and I couldn't have said it better myself. After reading the book -- which  was a very quick, interesting, and relateable read -- I was moved. Not only did the book include stories that were inspiring, but the book also discussed an important topic that we all think about but rarely delve into in depth: greatness. 

What IS greatness? It's one of those words that I think to myself, "I know what it means," but I can't quite describe it. I'm sure that many, like me, struggle with finding a perfect definition, which is why I suppose it's taken these two authors -- Judy Rogers and Gayatri Naraine -- quite a bit of research to understand what it is that greatness really means.

Greatness is not an easy thing to identify. Or maybe it is easier to find than I realize. What authors Rogers and Naraine did to find what greatness is -- and what lies beyond it -- was ask two very wise individuals -- Dadi Janki and Humberto Maturana -- what they thought about greatness and its impact on the world. Through interesting discussion and concrete examples, the book dives into what these two wisdom-filled individuals believe greatness is. Though I'll let you read the book to find out more about what they say, I have been fortunate enough to get in touch with the authors and ask them a few of the questions that came to me after I finished reading the book.

What did you want readers to understand
about greatness when you wrote this book?  

All human beings possess the innate qualities to give love, to care, to grow, and to create a sense of belonging for others.  How do we know this?  Everyone seems to recognize when a great person is in our midst.  We feel it, sense it, and see it!  There is a quality of “being,” a quality of love that resonates with all of our innate needs for love and peacefulness, of unconditional acceptance of who we are.  When we act from this natural space of love for others in generous ways, others pronounce us to be great.  The “great one” rarely feels that she/he has done anything great.  They feel that they have done all they could do in the moment.

How was writing this book
a positive experience for you?

Creating a list of criteria that described what we were looking for took us into the unlimited horizon of two great minds:  a man of science and a woman of God.  Exploring the ineffable quality we refer to as ‘beyond greatness,’ they took us from understanding to experience; the experience of being transformed simply by being in their presence and in conversation with them. It was a several year inquiry into heroism and generosity.  Our minds were constantly in the space of reflecting on generous and loving acts.  This is a rich and fulfilling space to live in.

Do you think the concept of being present,
living in the moment, relates to greatness?
If so, how so?

Being present means to be ever-ready to act with the recognition of being an instrument without the identity of “I."  Living in the moment is to be aware that time puts me in the right place so that when the situation calls for it, I am able to act from the heart without thinking, without a strategic plan, just knowing what I have to do with natural precision and accuracy. As we explain in the book, the kinds of “being and doing” that others call great has almost nothing to do with thinking or planning.  It is about being fully present with a vision of love and acting from the heart in that moment, so yes—it does have to do with being present.

Though greatness cannot be taught,
is it possible to seek out greatness
in ourselves and others?

To see with systemic vision, that is with love, to act from the heart, and to trust that I am in the right place at the right time and that I will naturally know what to do without thinking is what greatness is all about.  Greatness is not sought after, it presents itself in the least expected ways.

How does the concept of "letting others be"
play into the concept of greatness?

Greatness is a behavior that encompasses love, wisdom, understanding, and detachment.  This behavior recognizes the uniqueness of every human being and gives rise to the legitimacy of the other without placing expectations or demands on them.  Greatness is to let the other be his/her own original self.

Can you expand more on the idea of how
positive emotions, triggered by greatness, can spread?

A scientist and a yogi explain the phenomenon of the “ripple effect” of greatness in different ways.  A scientists, such as Dr. Jonathan Haidt, from the University of Virginia, who we quote on this subject, gives his research subjects an experience of witnessing moral acts of beauty or generosity (Jon had some of his subjects watch films of Mother Teresa serving the poor in Calcutta) and then interviews them at length about how they felt watching the film, how they felt after the film, physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.  They do this hundreds of times.  The emerging field of positive psychology is filled with this kind of research.  What it says, in essence, is that witnessing elevated action, elevates and inspires us.Though we don’t describe Dadi Janki’s perspective on the ripple effect of greatness in the book, she would likely say that when we witness virtuous action, it resonates with the qualities of the soul.  An inner state creates a certain field of vibrations.  So an inner state of generosity and love produces a wave of love and ripples out into the atmosphere affecting all it touches.

If you haven't had a chance to read the book, I'd suggest you pick up a copy. It's an interesting, quick read that will probably make you think differently about greatness. Greatness is something we want, something we look for in others, but is it something we really can define? When I first thought about it I realized that this wasn't any easy task. Ready this book has helped me to center my ideas about greatness and to understand how greatness fits into the world. For more information about Something Beyond Greatness visit these sites:

Beyond Greatness Blog
HCI Books
TLC Book Tours

And check out what other readers on the blog tour had to say:

Reading, Writing and Retirement
Worducopia
Joyfully Retired
In the Shadow of Mt. TBR
The Bookworm
Happy Lotus
The Jungle of Life
Create a Balance
Book Reviews By Bobbie

Comments

[Karl Staib - Work Happy Now]

My favorite answer is definitely the last one. When we can elevate other people to be great then we have found an easy way to enjoy life. So many people worry about their own happiness or greatness. If they only took some of their time to help others, they would realize that it is easy to elevate their own lives.

[Lance]

Hi Dani,
I love the picture you've used here, the extended arms really give a feeling of greatness coming from within - a thought I like very much.

Thanks so much for sharing a little more in-depth look direct from the authors on this book - very good stuff!

[Positively Present]

Karl - Me too! Making other people great is one of the greatest things we can do in life. Helping others is one of the best ways to find happiness.

Lance - I'm glad you liked the image and enjoyed reading more from the authors. Thanks for your feedback on the post! :)

[Lisa Munley]

Hi Dani, wonderful post! I'm so happy you enjoyed the book. I also love the image you chose to illustrate your thoughts, and really enjoyed the Q & A with the authors. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into reading and reviewing this book and for participating in the TLC Book Tour for Something Beyond Greatness!

[Peggy (aka Tool Box Girl)]

Dani,

This reminds me of the Marianne Williamson quote I posted over the weekend:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles,” 1992

I love this quote...and it speaks volumes...

I'm going to check out Something Beyond Greatness!

[Srinivas Rao]

I think the concept of presence is one of the most important qualities of greatness. I haven't mastered it yet, but I think what it does for you mentally and spiritually is amazing and allows you to exude greatness.

[Stacey / Create a Balance]

Your question relating to being present was powerful to me. I think being present allows us to BE more than DO, which perhaps brings us closer to our natural inner greatness.

[Ia]

Thank you for sharing this! I have a lot of trouble being present, but I find it's getting easier and easier to do so. However, being present in a positive way, from my real self, is more of a challenge. I have a tendency to behave the way the people around me do, so even though I'm in the present, it's not really quite me. I'm sure many others have this issue, and I am working on it by being consciously present.

The ripple effect of greatness I definately have felt. I watched Amelie, and though some things she does are not quite the best (such as driving her neighbor mad), it does have a good impact and overall she's constantly doing wonderful things. It really inspired me to want to do the same (and my wheels are turning on it, trust me!).

And, I love the Marianne Williamson quote! I'm sure a lot of people often stifle themselves as a means of acting 'humble' so as not to appear 'arrogant.'

[Barbara Swafford]

Hi Dani,

I love the part where the authors say, "Greatness is to let the other be his/her own original self." It's amazing what happens when we let the beauty in others unfold naturally instead of trying to convince them they should meet our expectations.

[Positively Present]

Lisa - Thank you! I really did enjoy the book and I hope those readers of mine who pick up a copy will enjoy it too. It was a pleasure to review it and write about it so you're welcome!

Peggy - That's a great quote and so fitting for this post. Thanks so much for sharing it in the comments. I love quotes and it's great to see how they can fit in with my posts.

Srinivas - Yes, I agree. The concept of presence and living in the moment are truly connected with greatness. Cultivating our abilities to be present is, in a way, similar to cultivating our abilities to be great.

Stacey - That's a great point. The closer we are to our center, to being, the closer we are to our inner greatness. That's a powerful idea. Thanks for bringing it up here.

Ia - Thanks for your comments. I've not yet seen Amelie, but I'd like to. Being present is not easy for anyone, but I do believe that when we focus on the present moment we are more likely to be closer to our own personal greatness.

Barbara - I loved reading that too. It's so important to be true to ourselves and to let who we are shine through to the world. It is in doing this that we're much more likely to be the greatest we can be.

[Lori]

How awesome that you were able to speak with the authors! This book sounds right up my alley. This is my favorite part: "Greatness is a behavior that encompasses love, wisdom, understanding, and detachment. This behavior recognizes the uniqueness of every human being and gives rise to the legitimacy of the other without placing expectations or demands on them. Greatness is to let the other be his/her own original self." Letting others be is something anyone can do, and it doesn't take much.

[Veronica]

Reminds me of one of my favorite (and ever popular) Shakespearean quotes:

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."

The concept of letting others be is powerful to me. The old 'live and let live' idea, which is so much easier said than done. It's a goal of mine to embrace this concept more fully, and to let it spill into forgiveness. Tough stuff.

Veronica
www.drrussbuss.com

(PS How'd you get the free copy, if I may ask?)

[Positively Present]

Lori - I like that part too. And you're right about letting others be. It can make a HUGE difference but it doesn't necessarily take a lot of effort.

Veronica - Thanks for sharing that quote. It's a great one and so perfect for this post! It's not always easy to let others be, but it such a great way to cultivate greatness. I received an email asking me if I would review the book if I was sent a free copy.

[Gretchen Cawthon]

Awesome review - I'll have to pick up a copy. :)

[Caroline]

Dani, this was wonderful to read today! Sometimes I compare my "lack of greatness" to others and feel like I am not good enough. I am getting better at just being myself and not worrying about being "better." I don't want to diminish myself anymore... I am me and that is good!

[Megan Bord]

This part jumped out at me: "The 'great one' rarely feels that she/he has done anything great. They feel that they have done all they could do in the moment."

Resonates with the Tao Te Ching (and something I wrote for a future post about being sage-like), and is something I've noticed in those I consider "great."

What a beautiful sounding book. Thank you for sharing it with all of us and helping spread positivity and greatness!

[Hayden Tompkins]

Slam dunk, Dani. And you haven't mentioned it here, but I saw you were starting a "Happiness" group and wanted to say - You. Go. Girl.

{HUG}

[Positively Present]

Gretchen - Thanks! You should definitely pick up a copy. It's a very easy, quick read but there's a lot of great info in the book.

Caroline - That's a wonderful thing to realize: "I am me and that is good!" It's tempting to compare our abilities and our "greatness" to others, but it's more important to stay true to ourselves and to celebrate our unique great qualities.

Megan - I like that part too. I think greatness is such and interesting topic and it definitely related to Tao Te Ching. I'm looking forward to reading that post of yours.

[Positively Present]

Hayden - Thanks! :) I'm in the process of getting it up and running and I'm sure I'll be talking more about it on the site. Thanks for the words of encouragement and the virtual hug!

[Mark]

I am sold, I am going over to the bookstore across the street to see if it is in stock! Thanks for the excellent review.

[Positively Present]

Mark - Awesome! I'm not sure if would be in the bookstore, but you can always order a copy online if you can't find it. It's a great read. :)

[Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings]

This very much resonated with me;

"...witnessing elevated action, elevates and inspires us."

This just proves how damaging all the bad news is that we're subjected to each day as the opposite is also true. I'd love to see the media place a much greater emphasis on the great, inspiring, generous and loving things people are doing out there. Can you imagine the ripple effect that would cause?

I also love the idea of acting from a place of generosity and love.

@Karl, totally with you when you say; "So many people worry about their own happiness or greatness. If they only took some of their time to help others, they would realize that it is easy to elevate their own lives."

A great review PP. Thanks very much.

[The Exception]

I love this. The greatness is nice to see around me and in others. The harder part for me is to recognize it in myself. It is there... the challenge is trusting love and that everything happens in time an at the "right" time. That we are tools to be used when the time is "right."

[Positively Present]

Sami - That's such a great point about the news. It would be so amazing if we heard about news that was inspiring and focused on greatness. If that were the case, I might even start watching the news!

The Exception - I think it's harder to find the greatness in ourselves than it is to see it in others. We tend to be harder on ourselves. It's important to remember that we all have greatness within us.

[Laura Cococcia]

What an inspirational story - I'll definitely be picking up a copy. Fantastic interview as well - you ask great questions!

[Giovanna Garcia]

Hi Dani
This book sounds wonderful.
Greatness is big question and the answer is different for everyone. Thanks for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

[J.D. Meier]

I really like your questions and I think it set the stage for some really good answers.

I especially like this insight ... "The “great one” rarely feels that she/he has done anything great. They feel that they have done all they could do in the moment."

[Evelyn Lim]

I enjoyed the Q&A very much. It is wonderful that greatness is not defined in the conventional way. I like its relation to present moment awareness. It is also nice to know that we all have innate qualities of being great! Thanks for sharing about "greatness" here!

[Davina]

Hi Dani. I love the format you have used for this book review. Contacting the authors and interviewing them is a great idea. It really gives life to the interview. The idea of "letting others be" playing into the concept of greatness is something to appreciate. Can you imagine being in the company of someone and "knowing" they are consciously letting you "be"? No expectations? Just appreciating and listening.

[Diggy-Upgradereality.com]

Hey Dani!
How are ya? :)

Mm, very nice review, it definitely sounds like a book I want to read.
Bookmarking it and when I have time I'll read it:)

Greatness reminds me of Kanye West's song 'Stronger' where one line in his lyrics go 'bow in the presence of greatness' :)

Random I know:)
Cool post!
Ciao Ciao
Diggy
Upgradereality.com

[Positively Present]

Laura - Thank you! It's a really good book and you should definitely check it out if you have time. I'm glad you enjoyed the questions!

Giovanna - You're right. Greatness is such an important issue and it can be different for everyone, which is why this book is such an important one. It deals with a grand issue that has so many layers to it and it does so in a way that's easy to understand too!

J.D. - I'm glad you liked the questions. I really enjoyed the book and tried to tailor my questions to topics that I talk about frequently on the site, and I ended up getting some really great answers (like the one you mentioned, which I think is so true!).

Evelyn - So nice to hear that you enjoyed reading the Q&A. I also liked how greatness is put into perspective in relation to the present moment and awareness. It's a different take on the subject that I hadn't thought about before reading this book and I really like thinking about greatness in that way.

Davina - Thanks! Glad you liked it! You've posed a great question in your comment. What if we were all to just let one another be? To just sit with each other and not judge? What a world that would be! A world filled with all kinds of greatness no doubt!

Diggy - Hi there! You should definitely check out the book when you have time. It's a quick, easy read but filled with lots of great ideas. I love that you brought up Kanye's song, "Stronger." It's one of the great ones to listen to when I'm going through a rough time. I think we all possess greatness and, as Kanye says, we should bow in the presence of it. By that I mean we should all work to recognize not only the greatness in ourselves (as Kanye clearly does, haha), but the greatness in others as well.

[Tess The Bold Life]

Sounds like a wonderful book. I love what they say about greatness.
"It is about being fully present with a vision of love and acting from the heart in that moment."

I love to live in this state and am doing so more and more as I age.

[Rosa]

Aaaand I`m in!
I`d never thought of the concept of greatness and man, it`s a thinker. I think you`re right with this:
Greatness is something we want, something we look for in others.

We all definitely want it and look for it, not thinking in what it really means. I´ll check out those blogs and the book whenever I get the chance.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post Dani!

[Positively Present]

Tess - I love that part too. It's such a great way to think about greatness and how it relates to the present moment.

Rosa - YAY! I'm glad it finally worked. Sorry for the delay, but I appreciate your dedication and patience. :) Greatness is an interesting topic and one that I hadn't given much thought to before so I'm glad I was given a copy of the book. It was an eye-opener!

[Liara Covert]

To believe everything just is in the now helps a person move beyond a traditional sense of time. Reasons for anticipation are illusions. You always have all you ever need. You may simply forget.

[Positively Present]

Liara - I love what you wrote: "You are all you ever need." That is so simple, so true. We do forget that greatness, our own personal greatness, is within us all the time, and it's important to stop and take the time to remember that.