Ilmu Padi & Shishihakuto: How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome

These Eastern principles will help you clear your self-perspective.

The Impostor: You

Yeah, and me too. We’re not so kind to ourselves, aren’t we?

Every time we come across people we look up to, it’s easy to trap ourselves in unrealistic comparison.

When placed among these exceptional people, we often find ourselves terrified of being exposed as the only unexceptional one in the room. Somehow we always find ways to doubt our credibility despite evidence for everything we’ve accomplished.

It’s a classic case of impostor syndrome, a psychological pattern that’s becoming all too common these days.

In a 1978 study, researchers Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes defined the impostor phenomenon as “an individual experience of self-perceived intellectual phoniness.” More than a simple case of low self-esteem, this affliction is especially prevalent in young people that are still in the process of discovering their identity.

While impostor syndrome can be overwhelming at times, we can mitigate it by adopting a habit of reality check. This can be done by internalizing this reminder: No one thinks you’re a fraud. No one even thinks about you at all. Everyone only thinks about themselves — and you already know that.

I understand that it’s easier said than done, so let’s also explore other possibilities. The world has a plethora of philosophical gems that can be used to address this problem.

While the schools of philosophy you’re likely familiar with are those from the Western civilization, such as the Ancient Greek or Ancient Romans, the Eastern hemisphere also has a lot to offer.

In the next sections, there will be two pieces of Eastern wisdom that I believe will help you. The first one is from my homeland.

The Stalk of Rice: Ilmu Padi

Have you ever eaten a bowl of rice? If you haven’t, maybe try it sometime.

Rice is a massive thing for Indonesians. Perhaps even “massive” is an understatement. I’m not sure, maybe “colossal” or “gargantuan” would be more appropriate?

It’s officially classified as one of the Sembako (Sembilan Bahan Pokok or The Nine Basic Materials) — and more than a food staple, rice also has a place in the nation’s culture and philosophy.

I think it’s safe to say that every Indonesian child knows this proverb:

“Seperti ilmu padi, kian berisi kian merunduk.”

(Like knowledge in a rice’s stalk, the fuller it is, the lower it bows.)

Sometimes, it’s referred to as Ilmu Padi (The Rice Knowledge) or Filsafat Padi (The Rice Philosophy). The message it conveys is quite simple: As you grow in knowledge, you will also grow in modesty. A reminder for us to stay humble and remember our root — that no matter how wise we may become, we used to be ignorant just like everyone else.

This metaphor finds its origin from the behavior of a rice plant. If you observe a stalk of rice as it matures, you’ll notice that over time it will bow lower — signifying a fuller weight. Exactly like a wise person who commands knowledge without feeling the urge to show it off. If anything, as he or she grows wiser, this person will only realize that there’s much left to learn, thus becoming more humble.

To further illustrate the significance of this proverb, we can look at a psychological concept known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. It’s a cognitive bias in which people with low competence tend to overestimate their prowess. To put simply (and harshly), this concept says that “stupid people tend to think they’re smart.” — which is the polar opposite of Ilmu Padi.

This tendency is certainly undesirable, but let’s accept that no one is entirely free from it. I know I’m guilty of it, and I’m sure you are too. The best we can do is to admit our vulnerability to this pitfall and try to avoid it. I found it helpful to recall Ilmu Padi every now and then.

If my arrogance resurfaces, I usually remind myself: Don’t be that annoying idiot who thinks he’s a genius, be a stalk of rice instead. I know it sounds weird, but hey, it works. You should try it (maybe with a better wording).

You might think that, being burdened by impostor syndrome, you don’t need another lesson on humility. However, Ilmu Padi is not only about humility, it’s also about recognizing all the knowledge you have accumulated throughout your life — and that you’re not as bad you think.

It tells you two things: know your self-worth, and stay down to earth.

The Lion: Shishihakuto

There’s this Japanese saying, Shishihakuto (獅子搏兎), which roughly translates to “A lion uses all it’s strength even when the prey is only a rabbit.”

I’m not sure if it’s a proverb or a vernacular mantra of any sort, I merely found it while reading a manga and the message kind of stuck. At first glance, the lesson we can learn from Shishihakuto may seem contrary to Ilmu Padi, but I believe the two can be practiced complementarily.

As the aforementioned translation suggests, this saying implores us to do our best even when the task we’re assigned to seems trivial. It’s a mindset to never underestimate any adversary, no matter how small or insignificant — which is also a form of humility.

By using its full might, the lion acknowledges the rabbit as a worthy game — even if the little creature is actually easier to catch than, say, a gazelle or a wildebeest. As the rabbit falls prey to the lion’s fangs, it will pass away with its honor intact, knowing that the hunter has respected the hunt.

The way I see it, Shishihakuto teaches us to be aware of our place in the food chain. Even if we are not necessarily an apex predator like the lion, there will always be others below us. It compels us to understand, objectively, the magnitude of our presence.

If we give in to the impostor syndrome and sell ourselves short, we are making those beneath us feel worse. Being humble is not the only thing that’s important.

As we become conscious of our high standing, our outlook will become clearer. After all, the view is always better from the summit.

Shishihakuto tells you to understand your stature, and be considerate of others.

Putting Things into Perspective

Perhaps, the biggest reason that we’re trapped in the fear of phoniness is because, sometimes, we are too self-absorbed.

It’s not that we care too much about what other people say about us, it’s more because we think too much about ourselves, and we assume that everyone does the same — which leads us to a downward spiral of damaging self-doubt.

Once we learn to forget ourselves, we will be mindful of so much more. At the end of the day, I guess it’s just a matter of putting things into perspective.

I hope the pieces of wisdom we learned from Ilmu Padi and Shishihakuto can help you defeat your impostor syndrome.

You’re not a fraud. Believe in you.

Caulfield Library Saturn, 30th of Maia A.D. 2020

At last, a glimpse of the outside world.

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