🧱 CATEGORY 1: The Roots of Confidence
Swami said Abraham Lincoln rose above humiliation when he was teased about his clothes.
➡ Question: Why did confidence matter more than what others thought of him?
🧭 Answer: Because real confidence comes from self-worth and faith in God, not approval from others.
You speak in front of class and forget a line. Everyone laughs.
➡ Question: What would true self-confidence look like in that moment?
🧭 Answer: Smiling, continuing calmly, and learning from it without shame.
****everybody makes mistakes
Swami said the Atma is one in all beings.
➡ Question: How does knowing that make you more confident in life?
🧭 Answer: You see equality — no one is higher or lower, so you act without inferiority or pride.
Swami said people have many powers but lose peace because of desires.
➡ Question: How does reducing desires increase self-confidence?
🧭 Answer: Fewer desires quiet the mind; we stop chasing approval and act with clarity.
Faith and self-confidence are like two pillars.
➡ Question: What might happen if one pillar weakens?
🧭 Answer: Life becomes unstable — confidence without faith becomes ego; faith without confidence becomes helplessness.
***more on this next class!!!!
Your friend is chosen for something you wanted. You feel jealous.
➡ Question: What would Swami call the confident response?
🧭 Answer: Be genuinely happy for them — knowing your value doesn’t shrink by another’s success.
Swami compared Atma to gold shaped into a ring, chain, or bangle.
➡ Question: What lesson about confidence does this metaphor teach?
🧭 Answer: Everyone’s form is different, but our inner divine value is the same — confidence grows from realizing that unity.
Swami said self-confidence makes one a true leader.
➡ Question: What’s the difference between confidence and arrogance in leadership?
🧭 Answer: Confidence serves others; arrogance serves ego. One uplifts, the other isolates.
MORE ON THIS NEXT WEEK!!!
Swami told students not to imitate others’ cultures blindly.
➡ Question: How does imitation weaken confidence?
🧭 Answer: It replaces inner conviction with copying — you lose trust in your own roots.
Swami said leaders who lack self-confidence forget their duties.
➡ Question: What happens to a leader who gains power without inner confidence or character?
🧭 Answer: They depend on others’ praise, lose purpose, and misuse power — real leadership needs inner steadiness.
Swami declared huge projects would finish on time — and they did.
➡ Question: What does that show about confidence linked with faith?
🧭 Answer: When conviction joins devotion, even the impossible becomes possible.
Swami said society changes only through people with self-confidence.
➡ Question: Why can’t fearful people create real change?
🧭 Answer: Fear keeps them silent or dependent; confidence gives courage to act on values.
Swami described faith and self-confidence as the base for success.
➡ Question: Why can’t talent alone replace inner confidence?
🧭 Answer: Talent needs trust in oneself to work; without confidence, ability stays unused.
Swami said, “Do not be affected by praise or blame.”
➡ Question: How can staying steady through both make confidence stronger?
🧭 Answer: Because your self-worth stops depending on others — it roots in truth, not opinion.
Swami said self-confidence, faith, and devotion must all grow together.
➡ Question: If confidence grows without faith or devotion, what danger appears?
🧭 Answer: It turns into ego — pride without purpose, strength without compassion.