In the previous installment of Dr. Sinn’s Bin, we explore the constructive mindset applied to two scenes of Disney’s The Lion King. In this month’s installment, we will explore a third scene from the movie. The wise Rafiki discovers Simba is indeed alive and seeks him out. Rafiki learns that Simba’s mindset is affected by the counsel of Timon and Pumbaa, which is to “forget the past, no worries.”
For his part, Simba is already challenged by his chance meeting with Nala, who in an earlier scene confronts him when he tries to explain his “Hakuna matata” theory: “Sometimes bad things happen and there’s nothing you can do about it, so why worry?” Nala retorts: “Because it’s your responsibility!” She tries to convince Simba that he is the rightful King, but Simba does not wish to have anything to do with it.
Back to Rafiki: he counsels Simba to become reconnected with his past, especially his relationship with his father. The following dialogue takes place:
Rafiki: “Change is good.”
Simba: “Yeah, but it’s not easy. I know what I have to do, but going back means I’ll have to face my past. I’ve been running from it for so long.” Whack! (Rafiki hit’s Simba on the head with his staff) “Ow! What was that for?”
Rafiki: “It doesn’t matter, it’s in the past.”
Simba: “Yeah, but it still hurts!”
Rafiki: “Yes, the past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.”
Rafiki highlights contrasting attitudes with the past. On one hand, if you run from it, you display a destructive mindset: you understand the past in direct relationship. The past is against you personally. Your mindset is “me versus you,” with “you” in this case being the past. The consequence of understanding relationships destructively is the use of power to bring change. Since the past is unchangeable, you act as if the past is more powerful than you are. The power you are left with to bring change from a hurtful and unacceptable past is to run and hide.
On the other hand, Rafiki states that the alternative attitude is to “learn from the past.” This attitude displays the constructive mindset: you understand the past in direct relationship with what you have or have not done. It is not you personally that is a problem, you rather become free to take responsibility for past actions and move forward from a hurtful and unacceptable past experience. The change includes a sense of added wisdom that comes from experience. In Simba’s experience, the story unfolds such that he becomes free to learn the truth about his father’s death: it is truly not his responsibility. Instead, it is Scar who confesses his dastardly deed. Simba would not have learned this truth if he had continued his so-called blissful, but unaware life in paradise. Simba had been hiding from what was a lie. How about you? What are you running and hiding from? Whether you are running from something that is actually true or turns out to be a lie, understanding and applying the constructive mindset can free you to live the rest of your life realistically and fearlessly, from the past lane to the fast lane.
Our next installment of Dr. Sinn’s Bin will discuss the movie Ip Man 2.
One Response
The part where Rafiki whacks Simba and his comment after about the past hurting but to learn from it instead of running from it is brilliant.