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Liberation From Self

Is it possible that man can be so self absorbed that he becomes a victim to his own selfishness? What are your points for discussion?

"A human being is a part of the whole, called by us, "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest -- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security."
-- Albert Einstein - (1879-1955) Physicist and Professor, Nobel Prize 1921

Self Liberation

This is a tough question. First, I have a hard time accepting that any person could be a victim of their own selfishness. I then looked up the definitions of the words selfish and victim. Part of the definition of a victim is one who is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any various conditions. Selfishness is excessive concern exclusively for someone's own advantage , pleasure, or well being without any regard for others. So a person who is injured and/or destroyed from their own selfishness can be a victim. It still doesn't sound quite right to me. Anyone who is selfish seems to be making the choice to do so, and it's a bit hard to swallow that anyone in their right mind who chooses to be selfish is a victim of themself. I guess that if you live that way long enough, in selfishness, that it becomes a habit and an unconscious way of living. They may be too far removed in their attitude to understand their own thoughts and actions, therefore making it impossible to change.

I want to point out that this is one way of changing selfishness.

Edited: dawnofthenew on 15th Jan, 2005 - 10:34pm

Liberation From Self Beliefs Religious General

It depends on what kind of selfishness. If you are thinking only about immediate comfort, you will disregard others, and that may create problems for yourself. Most basically: if you don't help others, others will not help you when you need help.

If you realize that, and aim for long-term comfort, then most probably you will benefit.

Self Liberation

This is the essence of the verse, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt. 16:25) To concentrate on oneself is to ruin oneself, while to selflessly prioritize and improve the world around us is to become the people we want to be.

HOWEVER, the notion that artificially altering one's perceived 'self' is the way to become happy is worse than false - it is a malignant doctrine that has become the mantra of those who sell physical beauty and popularity. The self is not an evil entity to be abused into submission - it is as a child who needs vegetables instead of chocolate. The more we say 'yes' to our senseless, vain whims, the more spoiled we become. The more we act in accordance with principles we know to be true, the more we become individuals with whom we will be content to live for eternity. The point is to shape the soul, not to beat it into submission.

Self Liberation

I'm sorry to say that the visual image I received from beating your soul into submission has kept me laughing out loud! That said, I very much agree with your statement. People spend so much time trying to make themselves better that they lose themselves and become someone else. I'm not sure if this is an issue of confidence or selfishness caring more about your self than anything else around you. The people who focus on this find themselves farther and farther away from real relationships and in essence, do harm themselves by way of their focus on themselves.

Liberation From Self

Now, to be clear, self-improvement is not necessarily bad, but if it is done for selfish reasons, it is counterproductive. The point of improving oneself is to have a greater positive impact on the people and situations in his or her circle of influence. If done in a spirit of manipulation, it breaks down the one trying to improve, but if approached with an attitude of charitable love toward others, the one who tries to improve is strengthened to the degree that his or her love is sincere. Intent is the key - two people can practice the same techniques of self-mastery and positive change, and their inmost desires will make a significant difference in their results.

The point is to be realistic - to examine one's own motives for doing anything, and then to take the steps necessary to actually change the motivating reasons for thought and behavior, rather than tweaking the superficial steps to 'success.'

Liberation Self

First, I would like to apologize for those who thought I was being sarcastic, it was late at night and I really did have a visualization of what was being written that struck me funny, I'm sorry I put it in, I should have left it out.

To the point, I don't think that everything done for "selfish" reasons is bad. If you decide to improve yourself superficially in can ultimately benefit yourself and others. I am over weight with high blood pressure, if I choose to lose weight so I can look better, then I still reap the benefits of better health which benefits not only me but my wife and children.
But are you saying its more the attitude that is wrong than the actual act of what you are doing? That is a point that I would completely agree with, that the action rarely harms you as much as the attitude harms you. The body can be fixed and repaired much easier than the soul. Ultimately, I think that is the answer to the question in this forum, spiritually, you can become a victim of your own selfishness. I think this would apply to atheists, christians, and any other religion out their.

Liberation Self General Religious Beliefs

I have found this to be very true. When I'm striving to be more charitable, to serve others more, to give more of myself to others without resentment, is when I really do feel "liberated" from myself. I feel better mentally and physically, I have more energy, I feel at peace with the world, and great happiness. I feel close to God.

On the other hand, when I'm feeling "put upon" and resenting time that I have to spend away from my own pursuits to take care of others, I am miserable! I'm grouchy and snappish, my joints ache, I forget to pray, I don't sleep well.

In effect, it's a conscious act, a choice on a daily basis, to decide *how* to behave toward the world.

In my opinion, of course.
Roz

Offtopic but, I didn't read anything sarcastic, konquererz.

Edited: FarSeer on 19th Jan, 2005 - 5:33am