What Is a Threshold in Life and Why Do Transitions Often Feel Uncomfortable?
In every Indian home, the threshold of a door holds a meaning far deeper than architecture. It is not merely a strip of stone or wood separating inside from outside. It represents a point of passage, a moment of crossing, and a subtle reminder that movement from one state to another requires awareness. Across centuries, Indian culture has treated the threshold with reverence, caution, and symbolism.
This understanding of the threshold extends far beyond physical spaces. In life itself, thresholds appear whenever we move from one phase to another. These moments of transition are often the most sensitive, confusing, and emotionally charged periods we experience. Ancient wisdom teaches that what feels “not right” is often not failure, but transition.
Why the Threshold Holds Special Meaning in Indian Tradition
In Indian households, the main door threshold is traditionally respected and even worshipped. Women decorate it daily, children are taught not to sit on it, and elders caution against careless crossing. These customs are not superstition alone; they encode a deep psychological truth about awareness during transition.
A threshold marks neither inside nor outside. It is an in-between space. When one stands there, attention is required. This cultural sensitivity mirrors life itself—when we are between decisions, roles, or phases, we are most vulnerable to confusion and imbalance.
What Does a Threshold Represent Beyond the Door?
A threshold is the moment of transition. It exists when something old is ending and something new has not yet fully begun. In mythology, philosophy, and even astrology, these moments are considered powerful and unpredictable.
Indian scriptures narrate how Lord Vishnu, in the Narasimha avatar, defeated Hiranyakashipu at the threshold—neither inside nor outside, neither day nor night. This symbolism highlights that thresholds are places where rigid rules dissolve and transformation takes place.
Life mirrors this pattern. Career changes, emotional shifts, spiritual questioning, or changes in health and relationships often feel unsettling not because they are wrong, but because we are standing at a threshold.
Why Transitions Create Disturbance Across All Dimensions
Nature itself demonstrates sensitivity during transition. Weather changes bring illness, seasonal shifts affect mood, and lunar cycles influence emotions. These are not coincidences; they are reminders that change disrupts equilibrium before a new balance is formed.
Human life follows the same rhythm. Emotional vulnerability often peaks during life-stage transitions. Spiritual traditions recognize these phases as moments that demand patience, compassion, and inner stillness rather than forceful action.
In markets and money management, similar principles apply. The most dangerous moments are not trends themselves but the turning points—when cycles shift and clarity is temporarily absent.
How Awareness Helps Us Cross Life’s Thresholds Safely
Ancient wisdom suggests that awareness is the key to navigating transitions. When we recognise that we are in a threshold phase, we stop resisting discomfort and start observing it. This awareness itself reduces fear and confusion.
Instead of labeling every disturbance as failure, one can ask a more powerful question: “What is changing?” This shift in perspective transforms anxiety into curiosity and struggle into learning.
Makara Sankranti symbolises exactly this principle. The sun’s transition marks a shift toward light, growth, and renewal. It reminds us that transitions are not endings, but gateways.
Investor Takeaway
Derivative Pro & Nifty Expert Gulshan Khera, CFP®, often draws parallels between life and markets: the most crucial moments are transitions, not destinations. Whether in personal growth or investing, recognising a threshold phase allows for patience, discipline, and wiser decisions. Explore reflective insights at Indian-Share-Tips.com, which is a SEBI Registered Advisory Services.
SEBI Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers must perform their own due diligence and consult a registered investment advisor before making any investment decisions. The views expressed are general in nature and may not suit individual investment objectives or financial situations.
