reply
- Feature
- Like
I don't think it's possible to dislike our True selves. My opinion is that we are in essence spiritual beings. Getting to know ourselves means to learn such things as honesty, spirituality, to be able to know right from wrong and to actually act accordingly, to love ourselves and others more fully, and so on. "To know one's self is to know God"
reply
- Feature
- Like
Just saw this question. As one who is not full of delight, although there is a smattering here and there, I must advocate FOR self-awareness. Even when I find less-than-idea stuff in me, I have a comfort in knowing that I know. I can change me and I have. It's not magic, but you can analyze, humorize, research, pray, experiment, and occasionally ask for advice. Some things I originally thought were awful, I have concluded are not so bad. Its OK to be a flawed human. Just let others do the same. There are things you will not compromise about too of course.
reply
- Feature
- Like
Maybe this is one of the most worthy purposes in life. Even though I am just in the beginning of this quest and may not be qualified to talk much about this, my present understanding is that by learning to see the reality as it is and ourselves as we really are, by mindfully watching things as they come and go and clearly seeing our shortcomings and possibilities, we develop a deep sense of love and compassion for ourselves and our fellow human beings. There comes a realization that deep down we are all one, having common nature, common predicament, common problems and possibilities.
reply
- Feature
- Like
it is definitely worth to discover who you really are. the moment you find out. the whole world changes. the whole rules and boundaries of liking yourself less becomes even less to liking yourself...you actually become more aware and able to find and go for what you like about yourself. i think? i think! i feel so so right~
reply
- Feature
- Like
Yes it is worth it especially if you start finding things you do not like about yourself you can then make the changes to improve yourself.
reply
- Feature
- Like
interesting that you should say that....i recently have begun to discover myself truly & sometimes i don't like what i discover...truth <3
reply
- Feature
- Like
Absolutely. Self-discovery is a path to self-improvement. One must make an effort not to sink into a puddle of self-loathing, however.
reply
- Feature
- Like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YAzAu3Ut6c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YAzAu3Ut6c Videojug on "How to be Happy." The hardest part for me was the "Non-introspective" part. Perhaps it's just that I was in High School, and that's what High School kids do, but I spent most of my time looking inside and trying to figure out who I am. A lot of it had to do with examining my motives, to prove to myself that I'm not a sociopath like my father. I also felt that the more I knew about myself, the better I understood other people. I think that was true, to some extent. Since I have stopped doing all of that soul-searching, I find it more difficult to relate to other people, which was for a long time how I defined myself as a person, my ability to understand people and make them feel better. Since I have stopped being so introspective, I am happier. I don't have the struggles with depression I once had (which were very minor, to be fair. Dysthymia, I think it was called.) At the same time, I often question if it is worth it to be shallower, but happier. Especially since the one thing I used to define myself and give my life meaning relied on my ability to look into myself, so I could help other people. Perhaps I just need to find something else to give me meaning. So I don't know if it's worth it, but I am happier now that I've stopped questing.
reply
- Feature
- Like
We must discover who we really are, not by "finding ourselves" but by "creating ourselves" through finding out what we like and are interested in and pursuing them. If you discover who you are this way, your pursuit will become your quest and because you are doing what you love, I have no idea how anyone could like oneself less.
reply
- Feature
- Like
I would assert that who we all "really are" are creations of a beautiful, perfect, Divine entity - so if we sincerely, honestly discover this Truth, how could we possibly like ourselves less? That being said, I also believe there are an infinite number of varied paths to arrive at this Divine; but in the end, the final "arrival point" is truly all the same. The pain/discomfort/dislike/etc. comes in when we experience the DISconnect between where we currently are, and where we "should" be (i.e, with the Divine). But the closer we get via our quest (again, whatever path that is for the individual), the better we should feel, not worse. If I am feeling worse, I know I am heading in the opposite direction of where I need to be going - so those feelings of dislike/discontent are simply "alerts" for me to change direction. But changing direction doesn't mean giving up the quest; it just means modifying the path I am taking - but absolutely to continue in my quest. Make sense?
reply
- Feature
- Like
Well, if you are trying to discover who you are then how could you feel like less youself?
reply
- Feature
- Like
absolutely! if you like yourself less, that means you can change. if you don't change, so be it; you live in self-loathing, but at least you won't be ignorant of what motivates you. isn't self-discovery the point of this whole life exercise? otherwise, without knowing oneself, you're just living - i imagine it's like one is just using the world as one's personal toilet until your ticket number is called.
reply
- Feature
- Like
Of course it is! Because at least then you're aware enough of your own flaws to know what it is about yourself you'd like to do something about. I think it only becomes a waste of time when you realize who you are and then decide to do nothing about hte parts you dislike, or that you realize are hurting other people.
reply
- Feature
- Like
Knowing you are a horrible person is the first step to becoming an amazing one. So I think it's worth it ^ 3^)b
reply
- Feature
- Like
Hmm.... fantastic question. I can honestly say that I often long for ignorance and the bliss that comes with it. I often wish that that which I've thought could be unthought-even if its just for the sake of social acceptance. Is it worth discovering who I am if it means that I come to like myself less? Well... in the long run, I suppose. I agree with others who have stated that such a discovery brings about a certain level of humility. With this humility will come maturity, And although it may be painful and hard to bear, I believe that maturity is something to be valued. If more people strove for introspection and maturity in their lives the world would look pretty different. Some people wouldn't have to become parents before they realize that some things need to change, for example. If they looked into themselves and came face to face with things they didn't like, they could begin a maturing process where they grow up and become a part of something bigger than living for themselves. When we realize that the world doesn't revolve around M.E. then life becomes easier and less depressing. Its hard to be depressed about your own situation when you understand that its not all about you. That said, its hard for some people to accept their flaws. Instead of having a positive reaction and trying to better themselves they may go the other direction and start down a vortex of self-loathing that they cannot escape. For example, I know a man who has many religious(Christian) convictions, yet also has homosexual tendencies. This man loathes himself because of his 'sin'. This isn't something he can just change. Its wired into him. Its a desire that, if it were possible, he would cut off his flesh for the sake of his own happiness. Knowing that this desire is a part of him destroys him from time to time. I think for the most part he just tries to ignore it. But it gets to him... and he becomes manically depressed and even suicidal. So in this case, would it be better for him to be in ignorance? To not know this is a 'sin?' Of coarse this might be an unfair example because his self-loathing is religion induced(even though he would tell you that God loves him and that makes him happy). But even without religion many people with homosexual desires often long to be rid of them, even if its just for social acceptance. Some things like desires cant just be fixed. There is no step-by-step program to help someone stop being who they are. That said, some religious sects believe that homosexuality is a choice, and the desire for it is completely unnatural. I think that this is gibberish, but another story. Anyways... this was much longer than I intended it to be, lol.
reply
- Feature
- Like
