Our interference, although well intentioned, deprives another of the opportunity to expand the territory of the heart. We may reveal our own discoveries as often as we like. However, this indulgence may only serve to delay another's journey. What seems like a merciful intervention is perhaps an extension of turmoil. Ironically, people will tend to be grateful for mercy and deny the consequences of it. Good, bad or indifferent, change comes in its own time.
Life on Earth is an advanced course that includes interaction with others. The course catalogue tends to be nonlinear. We cannot master a relationship with ourselves without others. One lifetime is inadequate for beings who undergo continual metamorphoses. We have one brain throughout all the changes and challenges, and minimal intervention to adapt it.
Caring for others at the expense of self leads to the temptation of not caring for and/or working on self.
A perfect model of self-sacrifice existed once upon a time. His character and actions are not easy to understand. We vaguely remember to feel guilty and unworthy. That was not the lesson.
A perfect model of self-sacrifice existed once upon a time. His character and actions are not easy to understand. We vaguely remember to feel guilty and unworthy. That was not the lesson.
Here is an attempt to understand it:
The symbolic act is the sacrifice of the ego; not to gain love, but to give it, unconditionally and unilaterally.
Since that time, we have carefully avoided the acceptance and impersonation of this gift in order to protect our hearts from breaking and our egos from being lost. Ironically, we cannot be rid of the ego. It keeps bouncing back like a rubber ball. And we cannot begin to imagine the true capacity of our hearts once the portal is opened by removing the delusion of the ego. Our hearts are a channel for love. But in the meanwhile, in the shadow of ego, we damage our beliefs and our perceptions until our souls become tortured in a hell of our own creation.
Mysteriously we often find our best selves by giving ourselves away. However, it's better to do this for the right reasons and motivation, and when we have a positive reservoir from which to give.
“Give, give, give. We must give. Don’t be selfish. Be selfless,” is only a partial message, which, on its own, can harm the recipient as well as the donor.
So fortify yourself. Do the work. And give when ready.
Giving when you are empty or from darkness contributes to the soul sickness of the world, the health of which begins with you.
The symbolic act is the sacrifice of the ego; not to gain love, but to give it, unconditionally and unilaterally.
Since that time, we have carefully avoided the acceptance and impersonation of this gift in order to protect our hearts from breaking and our egos from being lost. Ironically, we cannot be rid of the ego. It keeps bouncing back like a rubber ball. And we cannot begin to imagine the true capacity of our hearts once the portal is opened by removing the delusion of the ego. Our hearts are a channel for love. But in the meanwhile, in the shadow of ego, we damage our beliefs and our perceptions until our souls become tortured in a hell of our own creation.
Mysteriously we often find our best selves by giving ourselves away. However, it's better to do this for the right reasons and motivation, and when we have a positive reservoir from which to give.
“Give, give, give. We must give. Don’t be selfish. Be selfless,” is only a partial message, which, on its own, can harm the recipient as well as the donor.
So fortify yourself. Do the work. And give when ready.
Giving when you are empty or from darkness contributes to the soul sickness of the world, the health of which begins with you.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, then when? - Hillel
Homework of Self:
Homework of Self:
- Try 6 Steps to See Yourself More Clearly by Martha Beck, Oprah.com
- Read "Advice to Myself" by Louise Erdrich, The Writer's Almanac, May 29, 2007, "Pursue the authentic—decide first what is authentic, then go after it with all your heart. Your heart, that place you don't even think of cleaning out."
