Well, Ann, I find it fascinating to ruminate about all this. For a short while (-: Many spiritual teachers talk about the need to get rid of the ego. I'm just expressing a different view based on contemporary psychology. I could be wrong and or it's probably just a matter of semantics.
On Monday, February 24, 2014 8:25 AM, "awoelfleba...@yahoo.com" <awoelfleba...@yahoo.com> wrote: ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <sharelong60@...> wrote: Thanks, Ann. I tend to come from a perspective of psychological health is good. But I know one spritual teacher, David Deida, who though he thinks it's good too, also thinks that people can love unconditionally even if they're totally screwed up! But the first point in your initial post you made was where I think you were closer to the truth: if you view yourself as inconsequential, as insignificant and therefore as something without merit or relative worth just because of the fact that there are billions of other people and stars and planets, then this is short sighted. And not only that, it is failing to take in the power that even one atom can contain let alone the billions of atoms that make up each human being or rock or leaf. And what makes up consciousness? How big or little is the entity or force that allows for that? And look how powerful that can be. One thought can impact millions of people. But your point was if we don't honor and cherish ourselves then how can we truly look on others as being worthy of such? This is when the world is in danger of breaking down into entropy and lovelessness. Where no one respects or values what anyone else does let alone values that fact that others live and breath in the same space. No, to hold within one's awareness that we are all puny, insignificant nothings is to waste and cheapen the experience of living. On Sunday, February 23, 2014 8:02 PM, "awoelflebater@..." <awoelflebater@...> wrote: ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <sharelong60@...> wrote: turq, I very much enjoy these statistics and understand what you are saying. However, I think the conclusions need to be a bit more nuanced. Because if a person thinks he or she is insignificant, then they will think other humans are insignificant too. And that often leads to all kinds of problematic behavior. I think what's better is a healthy self regard which promotes growth in regard for others, indeed for all life. I like this post, Share. I believe much of what you say here is true. On Sunday, February 23, 2014 1:55 AM, "turquoiseb@..." <turquoiseb@...> wrote: A post for those who claim to value the Truth. Here it is. Now get over your puny self.