It is hard to find anyone in any of the Scandinavian countries who does not know this law. Although the law exists since the beginning of civilization, it was only officially declared in 1933 by writer Aksel Sandemose in the novel “A refugee goes beyond limits.”
The sad truth is that the Law of Jante is a rule applied in every country in the world, despite the fact that Brazilians say that “this only happens here,” and the French claim that “unfortunately, that’s how it is in our country.” Now, the reader must be annoyed because he/she read two paragraphs and still does not know what the Law of Jante is all about, so I’ll try to explain it here briefly in my own words:
“You aren’t worth a thing, nobody is interested in what you think, mediocrity and anonymity are your best bet. If you act this way, you will never have any big problems in life.”
The complete Law of Jante (thank you Lars!)
Don’t think you’re something
Don’t think you are worth the same as us
Don’t think you’re smarter than us
Don’t think you’re better than us
Don’t think you’re wiser than us
Don’t think you’re more than us
Don’t think you’re good at anything
Don’t laugh at us
Don’t think anyone care about you
Don’t think you have anything to teach us
The Law of Jante focuses on the feeling of “power. And this law is accountable for the world being manipulated in all possible manners by people who have no fear of what the others say and end up practicing the evil they desire. We see a huge abyss between the rich and the poor countries of the world, social injustice on all sides, unbridled violence, people being forced to give up their dreams because of unfair and cowardly attacks.
Mediocrity may be comfortable, up to the day that tragedy knocks at the door and people start to wonder: “but why did nobody say anything, if everybody could see that this was going to happen?”
Simple: nobody said anything because the others did not say anything either.
So in order to prevent things from growing any worse, maybe this is the right moment to write the anti-Law of Jante:
“You are worth far more than you think. Your work and presence on this Earth are important, even though you may not think so. Of course, thinking in this way, you might have many problems because you are breaking the Law of Jante – but don’t feel intimidated by them, go on living without fear and in the end you will win.”
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Bom dia,só gostaria que soubesse que adoro seus trabalhos,que Deus o ilumine sempre.
Just like the saying:
something that is impossible in the eyes of almost all the people around you, is like a diamond in the bush – it is worth all the sacrifice to obtain/ attain.
Hi Yan,
Just wanted to say I loved your story. It is so essential to believe in what you do and frustrating when others can’t see it or tell you it can’t be done. Well done for sticking to it! This is how great things are created!
All the best
Birgitte
This is one of my favorite articles, and so I leave the translation till today, as I had more time to think and did a little bit background research, to make the information as accurate as possible.
I tasted this law in my own life, without realizing it.
A true story:
Two years ago, as my husband and I were interested to invite a world famous karate master to visit Germany, I took my idea to my former Sensei. I told her my idea with enthusiasm, and wished she would be very happy about that. As you know, how often will you have the chance to learn from a real master.
Surprisingly, she was not interested at all, and the only feedback I got from her is: “Nobody has ever spent so much money to invite me to do a seminar.”
But we decided to do it any way. My HB and I took the whole cost, risks and responsibility, organized everything and got the master here. And he is sooooo loved! We got karate lovers from all over the Germany to visit him, and even people from other European countries. (My former Sensei had actually left us without notice before the master came, which was another shock to me. )
And just two weeks ago, we invited the master again to do a seminar in Germany (That’s why I was busy.) And this time even more people were coming. We had in total 60 people from 9 nationalities! How amazing is that!
And funny though, my current Sensei, who is already a renowned karateka in Germany, took part in the preparation and were all time enthusiastic, participating and learning and my former Sensei didn’t show up at all.
And for us two. We covered the cost of the flight for the master with the seminar fee, have some money left to give him as present, become good friends with him, made new friends from many other countries, and improved our karate. :D What a great experience!
If we had listened to my former Sensei’s comment and gave up our plans, we would never have the chance to see the master. Actually, the whole Germany would miss the chance!
love
Yan
詹代法则
by Paulo Coelho on February 3, 2012
在斯坎德纳维亚地区的人民很少有不知道这款法则的。尽管这款法则在文明伊始就存在了，一直到1933年，它才被作家阿克塞尔.桑德摩斯在小说《越过极限的难民》一书中书写成文公布大众。
现实令人遗憾，不管是巴西人说：“这种事儿只有这里才有。”还是法国人宣称：“很不幸，我们国家就是这样。” 詹代法则存在于世界的各个角落。也许有些读者已经开始不耐烦，读了两小节，仍不知道詹代法则究竟是什么。那么我下面就来用自己的话概括一下：
“你一钱不值，没人会关心你到底在想什么，平庸和默默无闻是你最好的选择。如果你遵守这条法则，一辈子都不会遇上大问题。”
詹代法则的全文是（感谢Lars提供信息!）
1. 不要以为你很特别。
2. 不要以为你和我们一样。
3. 不要以为你比我们聪明。
4. 不要想像自己比我们好。
5. 不要以为你懂得比我们多。
6. 不要以为你比我们更重要。
7. 不要以为你很能幹。
8. 不要取笑我们。
9. 不要以为每个人都很在乎你。
10. 不要以为你能教訓我们什么。
詹代法则的重点在于人们对于“能力”的感受。是这条法则导致世界被那些肆无忌惮，为了欲望实施恶行的人摆布操纵。我们都能见到贫富国家之间的鸿沟，社会各方面的不公正，恣意的犯罪，还有那些因不公和懦弱的攻击被迫放弃梦想的人们。
平庸或许令人惬意，可等到悲剧临门的那天，许多人会开始质问：“为什么没人站出来说句公道呢？如果所有的人都看到了为什么这种事情还会发生？”
很简单：没有人敢站出来说话，因为其他人也没有这么做。
所以要预防事情恶化，现在或许是该写下“反詹代法则”的时候：
“你比自己所想的要有价值的多！你在这个地球上的贡献和存在是很重要的，即使你自己不这么认为。当然，这么去思考，你会遇上很多麻烦，因为你打破了‘詹代法则’ — 但是不要被它们吓倒，无所畏惧地去活，最终你会胜利的！”
The law looks good, if I take the law in, I become free of what others might think of me and my actions… I am entitled to do anything; give my best, anyways nobody does care for me, I am not worth others.
But generally people have seem to taken to like due to their inner fear of failure and considered it true due to that.
More better, like others here quoted or said, its we that matters. I believe or precieve all of us as one. Eachs action interlinked and all togetter can move together for a better world, is it love trust or I dont know what will make us all realise it.
Il se trouve que s’il existe une loi, c’est qu’elle est très utile à tous, et c’est le fait des lois, d’être utile.
Et pourtant, la loi n’est pas la loi, parce que, la loi s’adresse à qui ? A un homme et non pas à un groupe d’homme, non pas à tous les hommes, non pas à la totalité des hommes-individus comme une loi le fait.
Il y a ici un mensonge capital, celui de s’adresser à tous, alors qu’il s’adresse à quelques-uns, en particulier à celui qui veut réfléchir à sa vie, à son autorité.
Il s’agit de la loi d’un groupe sur un autre, qui parle comme si le groupe était entier, et en fait les groupes sont ici plusieurs et surtout divisés.
Principe de l’autorité tyrannique, de la dictature.
La réalité est différente, et la vérité hors le mensonge, c’est que cette loi devrait considérer non pas un groupe qui commande, mais comme des individualités à respecter respectées par l’autorité.
En effet le groupe social n’a pas pour vocation de se prendre pour une quantité de philosophes, mais chacun y a droit.
Cette loi n’est applicable que par rapport à l’interdiction qui est faite à des individus de s’opposer au groupe de tête.
La loi s’applique à un homme, non pas à un groupe. Elle est faite par un groupe de tête.
Cette loi est l’anti-matière de la statue de la Liberté.
Elle doit être combattue, merci Paulo !
I am told and I do believe that when Hitler executed the Holaucast, this same law applied…!!!
I think so, too. The world saw it, but nobody dared to make a sound. And this kind of things are still happening in all corners of the world. To speak laud, you must risk a lot (it could be even life-threatening), to avoid being in trouble or in danger, a lot of people remain silent.
But the thing is, evil won’t let you free, if you just avoid it, it will grow bigger and one day knocks on your door, or your family’s or friends’.
I’m half Brazilian, and live in Norway, where the Law of Jante is in everyone’s subconsciousness. Being raised in Brazil, that law did not apply to my morals. I tend to feel that peoples reaction to beauty and taking care of ones self in Norway is outreageous.
If you wear high heels, people will judge you. If you have plastic surgery, people will judge you. If you spend time and money on yourself you’re going against the law of Jante, with other words, because you’re trying to be a better being.
Growing up, people used to call me “vaidosa”. “Vaidosa” is a Portuguese word that means a woman who is vain. However, depending on how “vaidosa” is used in a sentence, it can also mean a woman who is confident.
Its perfectly fine to have standards, its perfectly normal to adore nice things & take pride in actions you achieve, conquests, how you look (etc..)
and it’s totally acceptable to love yourself because you should!
I want to encourage people to love themselves for who they are because true beauty lies within us. Confidence is one of the key ingredients to real beauty, along with personality, honesty and integrity.
Afterall, “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”, which is why you need to love yourself the way you desire to be loved. You also need to treat yourself the way you wish to be treated!
Not to mention that it should be a necessity that we take the utmost care of our bodies, simply because our bodies are the temples which contain our precious life.
Monica,
Thank you for this, you hit the nail on the head, some people just don’t understand! I love your explanation, keep on sharing! And thanks again, also to Paulo for his wonderful insights!
Monique :):)
I really loved what you said, Paulo did point his finger on a very important subject . I didn’t know that there is a law called ” Jante ” and there are followers and believers ! How far people believe in this ! Is it really applicable in the Scandinavian countries ? Does it explain the high average of depression in these countries ? Any recommendation for a book about it so I can know more , its really interesting and it is more important to face such a thought …
Don’t think
Don’t think
Don’t think
Don’t think
Don’t think
Laugh
Laugh
Laugh
Laugh
Laugh
Cuando se llega a la aberrante situación de vivir en el estado de la ley de jante es cuando ya se llegó al límite. Es un indicador de que el mundo ya llegó a un nuevo punto bajo. Es cuando ya se piensa demasiado Cuando la inteligencia se convirtió en otra cosa entonces el pensamiento es la menos creativa de las actividades humanas. Pensar menos, crear más es el antídoto para ese veneno. Se pueden crear muchas cosas buenas,como riqueza, arte, emociones. Cuando el pensamiento se vuelve estupidéz hay que detenerse y dejar de pensar. Yo por ejemplo dejé de usar la lógica cuando vi que la gente no la usa. Es una cuestión de práctica.
I can only understand english, so i understood only the english part of your comment. Why should we not think and just spend our time laughing all over? True, excess of anything is bad but are we not blessed with mind so that we may brood? Unless offcourse if we are drugged to insanity we are inclined to think. Then why should we not think and just laugh our heads off?
Good Afternoon,
Thankyou!
Love doesn’t see barriers,
like Mother Theresa said, it is a fruit always in season.
That comes from the eyes of the heart.
Writing down the last paragraph to carry along as a reminder, it speaks of this. All loved equally. Precious.
Love to All,
Jane xo
Thank you for anti-jante…..it made me feel better …. Its my birthday today..I shouldn’t be sad that they didn’t wished me…..
regards
Sadaf.
I used to believe the anti-Jante Law, I believed that most about me is great despite of what they said. But I met a very influential person, someone who told me he loved me, and he told me that the Jante Law applied to me. That I’m no better than anyone else. I believed him. It has been hard to unlearn that. But slowly I’m claiming my rights to the world. I’m sure I’ll win.
Im from Sweden and this is a huge problem for us. I sure hope people will take note and start beaking out of ignorant habits.
/Hanna
God created us unique. It is our choice then to do what is right/ what is good for us. We all have different perceptions. The thing here is to stay humble and constantly faithful to God, doing you’re very best as your gift to God.. Trust in Him and always ask for guidance….that God will light our way to Him.
This Law reminds of a prayer that was found on the wall of the children’s home in Calcutta where Mother Teresa lived, she is said to have written it there.
A friend first sent it to me and then, I wrote it out for my daughter.
Here it is: “Do it Anyway”
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centred. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
The original version was written by Dr. Kent M. Keith
Love, Sue x
Essa lei é uma perfeita tradução da sociedade .
Já perdi muitas coisas na vida por causa dessa lei . Quem nunca ouviu ?
” Você vale o que tem “. Eu acredito que tenho algum potencial , mas as pessoas não acham isso .
Tenho uma vida confortável , mas não sou rico . Segundo essa lei , eu não valo muito coisa . e por incrível que pareça , não estou sozinho , milhares de pessoas por todo o mundo são vistas apenas como meras mercadorias, que podem ter um preço baixo ou alto .
Recebi um ultimato da minha esposa , ou minha lenda pessoal ou ela .
Eu fiquei com minha lenda pessoal , estou sofrendo bastante , mas sofreria bem mais se abandonasse o meu sonho .
Por que não posso ter as duas coisas , o amor e o sonho ? Tive que optar por uma delas .
De qualquer modo eu sofreria , qualquer escolha que eu fizesse eu acabaria com o coração partido .
Dói muito em saber que eu não passarei a vida ao lado dessa mulher . Nos últimos três anos fizemos planos juntos , planos para uma vida inteira , e agora acabou tudo .
Não compraremos mais o apartamento , não teremos filhos juntos , não teremos netos juntos , não envelheceremos juntos . Acabou , tudo não passou de um sonho .
E tudo porque sou pobre , não posso sustentar um sonho e um amor ao mesmo tempo .
Agora é esperar o tempo passar e a dor cicatrizar,.
Talvez algum dia no futuro eu me arrependa da minha escolha , ou não .
É como aquele filme .
Cinema Paradiso .
Essa lei é cruel com os sentimentos !!!
It is about time I took the reigns of my life and start believing in myself. From today henceforth I am my own hero and I can do everything I set out to do. Thank you Paulo! :-*
I like the anti-law of jante very much….
thanks..
Thanks sir!
“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, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s 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.”
A quote from Nelson Mandela’s speech.
PS: Dear Paulo, ,you are invited to visit my blog and comment, love !!
Achieving one’s true potential requires motivation, which stems from a purpose in life. Any purpose that is either a responsibility or a sense of achievement.
However, if events in life are staged and faked away from originality, then such purpose dies and so does the motivation and consequently the true potential is not achieved. It is therefore, important that events are allowed to happen in originality and not staged in life.
Dear Mr. Coelho,
I’m sure you get this a lot – from wannabe writers all over the world… but I am summoning up the courage to ask whether you would like me to work for you. I’m a 37 year old mother of two who works full-time in the financial industry at a job that is intellectually fulfilling, but just stress-filled, and not my idea of following my path. I love your books, love to read and write and cook, but, like most responsible adults with families, cannot afford to take the risk and put my children’s future in jeopardy. Would you, could you, consider employing someone out of a leap of faith? I can proof-read, write for you – or even manage your calendar. I am a global program manager and have a lot of skills. The daily grind in corporate America is taking its toll. Please write me back if you have the need for a smart, hard worker. Thanks!
The Law of Jante is used by both sides to intimidate people as well, It works in such a way that it goes full circle and people don’t want others to go out of that circle for whatever reasons. It is applied everywhere within society. Everybody is supposed to be in its little box and remain there according to ‘their’ Law. It is not the ‘Jante el’ way .
Law upside down is nothing but a wal l,
For a free society ,this needs to be removed.
The picture illustrates this quite well for me : I see an obstacle course going up the ladder .
Dear Paulo and friends!
I am from Iran, living in Sweden since 25 years ago. The low of Jante is one of returning questions that I after all this years still see as a contradiction. Perhaps the law was/is more pronounced in Scandinavian because of the politic of social democracy and its ambition to make a equal society : the collective and its power was more important then individuals, it was maybe an “anti- American dream” position BUT in other hand the process of individuation ( not individualism) which according to Paulo’s terminology is to follow the aim of our lives is arrested in such a contradictive law. As psychotherapist I see a lot of “rich world” problems in working with my patients who lives “the middle way life” We are not created (Of God or if you so believe of evaluation to go the middle easy way)
According to the new anti low of Jante: Each human being should consider her of him self as the legend and the hero of his/her own life’s journey. We have to stay and ask our self what is the name of this chaptel of my book of life…. Take care
Hi there…This is fascinating and even though I have experienced it I have never heard of the law of Jante….So today I learn something..Thank you dear Paulo…I also like the reverse law of Jante…..with love…
Carissimo Paulo,
rispetto ciò che pensi sulla legge di Jante. So o meglio, presumo che tu ci creda. Ho letto la prima volta la Legge di Jante sul tuo libro e ci ho creduto anch’io. Così ho provato a metterla in atto, e sai quale è stata la mia deludente sorpresa?
…………………….
Poi ti ho scritto per chiederti un aiuto.
E tu sai quale è stata la tua risposta.
GRAZIE.
Ora non credo più alla legge di Jante, ma ciò non toglie che creda molto più in me stessa e meno, molto meno alle parole facili.
Saluti carissimi.
” La Discorde est le plus grand mal du genre humain,
et La Tolérance est le seul remède .”
VOLTAIRE
“Discord is the greatest evil of mankind,
and Tolerance is the only remedy. ” VOLTAIRE
Piet Hein siger at det er i orden at være egoist, så længe der rækker til hele menneskeheden.
Mange holder sig ikke tilbage for at kritisere et kunstværk, ved at sige at det kunne de også have lavet; men det sværeste ved kunst er i virkeligheden, kunsten at gøre den.
Alle kan opnå hvad de ønsker sig, når blot intentionen med ønsket er uden bagtanke og kommer fra et rent hjerte.
Mange beder til gud om hjælp til at opnå noget, til dem selv. Prøv i stedet at bede gud om hjælp til at hjælpe dig selv, til at opnå det man ønsker sig.
Janteloven er en modvægt til for meget selv iscenesættelse og derved opnås der den ydmyghed, som tjener den som af et rent hjerte vil vise sig frem uden at træde på andre. Janteloven kan derfor bruges som et redskab til fremgang i det man allerede ved hvordan, kritikken vil fremkomme.
Vil du opnå noget, så læg ordet i munden på den som har magt til at gennemføre dit ønske. Du får ikke selv ros for det opnåede; men undgår også risikoen, hvis det går galt. Derved opnår du i ydmyghed det du ønsker uden at tage ære og risiko fra magthaveren og den som har magten, bliver afhængig af dine råd.
Prøve at kombinere Janteloven med I Ching og deraf, vil man kunne se store sammenfald i det at træde op på den store uden den store lader sig beskæmme og ikke som de fleste fortolker Janteloven, hvor magthaveren bruger den som et redskab til at holde den lille nede med.
You too are worth far more than you think:)) i got ur book ‘The Alchemist’ as a prize in debate competition near about 3 years back. You write so simple yet so magical…I love that book.
Fantastic topic Paolo.
I am really happy you have involved yourself in this. I live in Denmark (after many years living abroad) and The Law of Jante still lies like a dark cloud over the population here. The Law of Jante is also often mentioned in the media as a reason for us disliking success.
It is so often mentioned as a “reason” for not wishing wealth and prosperity on others “It is because of the Law of Jante that you dislike me being wealthy, driving a nice car, living a life of luxury etc, etc….” that we have forgotten the broader influence on us.
Mentioning the Law of Jante has become so ingrained in Scandinavians as a way of speach, we have stopped discussing what it is exactly. More importantly -what is the result of its influence on society? Seeing the words of the ‘Law of Jante’ again in writing reminds me that there is still work to be done!
Some authors tried to reverse the Law of Jante in the late 70s/80s but it is as if we still can’t quite shake it off.
I am including a translation of the version that I know of the ‘reverse law’ by Poul A. Joergensen from 1978:
1 . You need to know we are counting on you .
2 . You need to know that at least 4-5 people from your close community are counting on you.
3. You need to know that there is something in you that is good and worthwile, something we all need.
4. You need to know that you have some human qualities in you that we care about.
5. You need to know that all of us can relate to the feeling of being worthless, lonely and a failure.
6. You need to know you belong here with us.
7. You need to know that we will do a great deal for you.
8. You must believe that your own life and our society depends a great deal on you and your contribution
9. We – you and I – can solve problems together.
We need to reinstate these more compassionate words in our governments, businesses and communities around the world – anywhere influenced by the paralysing ‘Law of Jante’, so that we can all work in togetherness.
I believe the future is a future of ‘we’ and the ‘I’ is meaningful in connection with ‘we’.
Thank you for bringing it up. I am going to continue this in Denmark :-)
All the best
Birgitte
Yes, the Law of Jante goes for all countries in the world. Growing up in Norway, I ‘ve known this “stay in your limited place, don’t believe you are something special” kind of thinking all my life. Sandemose really summed up this general “law” that keep most people “imprisoned by society’s expectations”.
We are all unique. Period. It’s our birthright to be our unique selves.
When I was in 7th grade we got a wonderful new teacher, and she was so sick of the Law of Jante, that she wrote “The Anti Law of Jante”, much like the one you wrote at the end of this post. She wrote the new laws on a big poster, and hung it up in the class room. Every morning we read those ten laws, before we started the day. Every morning. Kids of today, all over the world, should have a teacher that make them believe they are unique, and that it’s a good thing.
Thanks for this post!
Love, Aina
Paulo, as an immigrated latino in the midst of a chilling environment at -18 degrees Celsius I just felt compelled to give yet another angle. It is an interesting discussion :)
I discussed this law over the internet with a friend some months ago, and as a fan of reframing things to find perhaps hidden messages I took the following view.
I see the Law of Jante as a test for true leaders. I imagine myself coming to a small place in Sweden somewhere around the 17th century and wanting to acomplish something. Being met with the ideas in the law of Jante I would like to feel compassion and understanding for the people expressing them and still know that “this does not apply to me”. And then, get on with the work that needs to be done.
Kind regards,
Victor
Love reading your books. This blog is also great!
Thanks Paulo you healed my mind, i love and deeply in love with your writings. may the ultimate intelligence keep showering you with more and live long for us all to realise who we realy are only by looking at you. Thank you man.
I always believe, what ever we do, no matter how small and big will have impact in long or short terms. I chose to care, although along the way I don’t get same treatment back, at least I know I tried. I believe if we do our part to care about something we believe and truly comes from the heart, it will only showed and proved, we do because we care. Not about how high, how smart, what status of life we have, how rich we are….none of those matter without sincere act of doing what I think is ought to do. I want to feel everything, I know for sure I don’t want to feel numb and being ultra selfish in this life. It’s too precious.
What’s on your mind?
Lucy Sarkis
So true…and this should be written in huge letters in usa anbassies all over the world cause they apply this law more then any body in the world…
Why i say this?
Because,they made war in Afganistan,in Iraq,in Lebanon,in Egypte,in Syria,in Palestine,and coming soon in the rest of the world…
I may ask excuses from my american friends,i love all of you but i hate your damned goverment..you,citizens,you are more then anybody in the world suffering from law of Jante…
The most important thing we can do to change this law is to act different, do the opposite that it says. Working on making changes in our community, giving our opinion, do not agree when we think that something is wrong, eventhough you know it is going to carry problems. With our actions, the other people will get courage to do the same. “Do not ask to the world to change, When you start changing yourself , the world will change with you”
Thank my dear Paulo for sharing with us this kind of information, I did not know about this law. Today I learned something new. God bless you!
The most important thing we can do to change this law is to act different, do the opposite that it says. Working on making changes in our community, giving our opinion, do not agree when we think that something is wrong, eventhough you know it is going to carry problems. With our actions, the other people will get courage to do the same. “Do not ask to the world to change, When you start changing yourself , the world will change with you”
Or as said very well by Plutarch:
“what we achieve inwardly will change outer reality”
‘not to feel intimidated by them, and go on feeling without fear’ is a must. In addition to this, could you share with us, how you worked around your critics. I mean, did u just ignore them or did you try to win them over. Which is better? To ignore or to win them over?
I think this anti-jante manifesto would be like Athena in the Witch of Portobello. When she wants to become a mother, and everyone tells her she’s crazy, she still does it. When she channels spirits for the people, and everyone is against her, she still does it. Everything she does is because she needs it. Like Athena´s favorite saint, Saint Theresa, when she has visions of angels and burns in love. She might be considered a mentally ill person nowadays, or a heretic, but she can’t help it. It’s not a normal “need” or “desire”, it’s something that burns your soul. People all over the world should burst in fire, light themselves up, act freely doing what their hearts tell them to do. It would be chaotic, but we would be closer to happiness. Mahabharat, the Indian sacred book says something similar: it is better to burst into flames, burn with passion even if it’s only for an instant, than to live a long life in cold passivity.
In my country, Mexico, that law is applied in the sense that if we speak against the government, against the drug cartels, or against any rule, they consider us an obstacle, and that can even kill you or send you to prison. Just yesterday I showed my support to a revolutionary group in Mexico through facebook, not because I am a radical revolutionary, but because what they are saying made sense to me, and I received mails from my friends, “scolding me”, because they said I was irresponsible, it was dangerous, these people were idiots, I was a bitch, etc, etc…..but I am an artist and I want to shout what I think, with respect and an open mind, with love, with tolerance, but nevertheless shout. And they tell me that if I do that I might ruin my artistic career (as a writer) because I am not famous yet, I am a “beginner” and so they can crush me. And they really can. But I still need to express myself because I feel the strong need to help my country through my writing. It is not that artists in Mexico are trying to be rebellious or nasty, or radical, because we are not at all; it’s simply that people are not used to speaking their minds and hearts. And if I can’t speak my heart, then why would I want to be a writer? I also love music….why would I make songs and sing them if I have to hide my true emotions?
An anti jante law? Great! We all need that. We can’t achieve our full potencial if we settle for mediocrity. The law of Jante shows us how NOT to be, not how we should be. Its a matter of perspective and attitude.
At my daughter ‘s school here in Norway- This law was buried last year . The had a big ceremony,celebrating that Janteloven no lenger excists at her school .<3.
Yeah, i think we all followed this law at one point in our life…I would call it the ‘cattle type of thinking’…
A medida que vuelvo a ser yo me alejo más del mundo, de las opiniones para manipular, de cualquier forma de gregariedad. Veo como cierta gente manipula con sus opiniones a otras para utlizarlas, veo como necios se disfrazan con gestos, ropas y poses para ser más, veo que no importa la verdad importa más quedar por encima, y por último veo que por fin salgo de ese mundo y que hay otro mundo donde reinan la paz, la armonía y la buena voluntad.
Hay mundos que no me interesan, por fin vuelvo a mi mundo.
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