If at some point in your life, you felt down but still managed to help someone, let's say a friend or loved one or any stranger going through a difficult phase, and you did it without asking about their religion or community, without expecting anything in return and without letting your emotions hold you back, then congratulations! You have a 'Batman mindset'.
It's important to adopt a 'Batman mindset' in today's world. This mindset not only makes you more human but also gives your life purpose and meaning. Below are some of Batman's characteristics and how they can help us become extraordinary individuals who lead a meaningful life.
Justice: Batman fights for justice. He cannot tolerate injustice and always stands for what is right. This is a basic human nature that we all should possess. We must have a clear vision to identify the injustice happening around us, whether it's related to religion, caste, gender, or any other form of discrimination that people face in our society.
Integrity: He has a set of principles that guide his life. One of those principles is that he doesn't believe in taking someone's life, as he thinks it will make him a killer himself. In a world where people are often influenced by the wrong treatment of others, Batman's mind remains resilient and unaffected by good or bad influences. We should also have our own set of principles to follow in life, such as being true to ourselves, being kind to others, loving people unconditionally, and always being a giver. However, we must also remember to not exhaust ourselves and use our ability to observe and reason while giving.
Determination: Batman has everything that most people desire in their lives - luxury cars, attractive partners, and a huge mansion. However, he willingly chooses to leave behind his comfortable lifestyle and instead focuses on developing his fighting skills, observing people, and identifying wrongdoings carried out by the villains. We should also adopt this determination in ourselves to step out of our comfort zone, overcome our limiting beliefs, broaden our mindset, and think critically. We must observe life and learn to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong through rational thinking.
Courage: The courage to face our internal struggles is the first step towards overcoming external challenges. Batman serves as a powerful reminder that we don't need superpowers to confront threats. Instead, we should cultivate the ability to handle criticism and show compassion without imposing conditions on others. To overcome obstacles, we need to have the courage to fight for what is right. But it's crucial to remember that we must first conquer ourselves before we can take a stand for what is right, both for ourselves and for others.
Selflessness: Batman's duty to protect others is above anything else in this world. He does not let his possessions or any materialistic things distract him from his mission. Internally, he is free from worldly things. He leaves his comfort zone and risks his life for the sake of others. Batman is the epitome of selfless service, which in Hindi is known as Nishkam karma. This term means to act without considering any personal benefit. When an individual performs a selfless act, they do so without expecting anything in return. The Gita, a Hindu text, primarily focuses on Nishkam karma as a way to benefit others without expecting anything for ourselves.
Preparation: Batman is a great example of someone who does the internal work necessary before facing the external world. At first, he was afraid of bats, but he conquered that fear first. He then learned skills and developed a resilient mindset before becoming a giver. As the saying goes, a man who conquers himself is more powerful than one who conquers a thousand men in battle. We should all strive to do this internal work to build a resilient mindset that cannot be shaken or influenced by external factors.
Redemption: He believes in bringing a positive change in the lives of those who have committed crimes. According to him, everyone has the potential to change their life by abandoning the wrong path and exploring new perspectives. He strongly believes that violence is never a solution and that people cannot be changed, but they can be shown the right path. It's up to us to decide how we react to external events, be it good or bad. Even if we make a mistake or are going through a tough time, it's important to not beat ourselves up over it and instead focus on moving forward.
Protecting the Innocent: As members of society, it's our responsibility to protect the innocent and vulnerable individuals around us. Unfortunately, we often witness numerous crimes in our area, city, or country, but we fail to take a stand against them. Instead, we get consumed in our own lives, indulging in parties and other activities that eventually harm ourselves and nature around us. This is a clear indication of ignorance. We refuse to seek the truth, jump to conclusions based on half-knowledge, and remain biased without considering other perspectives. How can we make any conclusion if our judgments are based on incomplete and misleading information?
Personal responsibility: Batman has a strong sense of responsibility towards his city and takes it upon himself to ensure its safety. This trait seems to be lacking in many of us as citizens. Shouldn't we also feel a sense of responsibility towards our community? Why do we struggle to control our desires and weaknesses?
Our foolish desires have blinded us, making us forget our responsibilities. We fail to consider other perspectives. it’s easy to say “I don’t have an interest in politics”, or “I don’t watch the news, it contains too much negativity” Who will stand up against the chaos caused by weakness? Why aren't people around us taking responsibility for the daily ravishments? To those with this mindset, "Get a life and be responsible!"