Self pride is often equated as ego. But to some self pride is good but not ego.
Ego drives one to get what one wants, never mind if in the process it hurts others or causes disservice to others.
Self pride is often the feel good factor for oneself. To feel good, one must do something that promotes one's self worth or esteem. One would have to be sensitive to what others feel of oneself, for that will somehow still contribute to the feel-good factor.
There is the drive for self needs, more for improvement not just in worldly terms but in spirit as well. There is need to know that one has arrived or able to arrive.
How and what one does or can achieve must be such that will have good impact on others or at least have no negative impact. Any negative impact especially of the adverse kind on others will not promote self pride or esteem.
Ego on the other hand is more of the raw animal nature of man. It is sometimes seen as the need to be superior, to compete and to get what one wants, never mind the consequences on others.
It would inflate the ego if others fawn on the man with ego. He is like the alpha dog in a pack of dogs. He is king and the others must serve him at all costs. This sadly is and ever will be the fate of many a pastor or priest, for they are not without ego.
So ego promotes ill-will and not love. At best, ego promotes self love but has the adverse side of less or no love for others except for self. That is not good.
Self pride is satisfaction in oneself for ability to do good for oneself but there must always be that ability to win recognition from others, otherwise self esteem or self pride will take a hit and be driven down by many notches.
It has to do with the more worthy love that is not based on self-interest but more on consideration for others as well though not self sacrifice for interests of others.
It has to do with the more worthy love that is not based on self-interest but more on consideration for others as well though not self sacrifice for interests of others.
It is and must be a balanced approach based on how one's self interests be balanced with others opinions and interests. It is the state of the art that promotes self cultivation and it depends on balance approach very much akin to the yin yang approach of the sages of old in China.
How one fares in this world and how one is at heart matters. What one achieves must not do disservice to others but able to win their heart felt recognition. If possible, others must see him as a benefit to society.
But as stressed, it is not sacrifice at expense of self. It is not service before self. Often, self pride is better promoted if there is love for self and society in a balanced way - akin to concept of yin yang balance.
Love for self and love for others must go hand in hand in sort of equilibrium. This too is yin yang balance but the balance point is dynamic. We cannot have hard and fast rule of never this way or that way but must weigh the consequences and assess the situation.
But in all and in whatever situations or scenarios in life, we must be atop the polarities or contingencies of the situation while balancing them. This is so that we are still atop of it though still with the situation.
We will then be able to have higher and more inclusive helicopter view - to have macro-approach not micro approach. This is referred to (by sages) as awareness or mindfulness which promotes insight.
By thus seeing the whole view by being atop, we are not part of the madness or restless conflicts of polarities. We stay still with life but are ever at peace. We are not swept around and kicked around by conflicting interests and events - the polarities or contingencies.
This is depicted in the image of Lord Bo Tien with feet atop and balancing the elements - the events and contingencies of life.
By thus seeing the whole view by being atop, we are not part of the madness or restless conflicts of polarities. We stay still with life but are ever at peace. We are not swept around and kicked around by conflicting interests and events - the polarities or contingencies.
This is depicted in the image of Lord Bo Tien with feet atop and balancing the elements - the events and contingencies of life.
As like in the image, we will be at rest and seated. We will then be at peace and able to gaze beyond the situation at hand. We will have foresight of life beyond the event and not just insight of the event at hand.
With the often common good values and doctrine of the sages of religions in one hand as depicted by the scepter in the right hand of the good lord, we will be equipped to handle life and be on way to be saint like the good lord. This is regardless of the religion we are in.
We will be steady and calm like depicted by the left hand of the lord in salutation. If we are at peace, we can better handle any situation. The life conflict if any fizzles out and the conflict or battle is won before it can start.
No wonder the good lord says that his image is the doctrine and the doctrine is his image. In his image lies the universal doctrine behind all religions for the good of all men and beings. This will help to save souls through existing religions.
The good lord is not here to start any religion or sect though he did make use of a Chinese style temple to show that even in such a temple, there is the universal doctrine. Though his temple is meant to be exemplary, it does not need to be so but may well be a receptacle of human issues.
But this only means that we can learn from them. The issues of men are many and plentiful. This the good lord did say. The issues are often due to ego and absence of self pride, grasp of doctrine, insight and foresight. There is no balance of give and take and only "I know better and you don't."
The issues of men are to be found anywhere be it in a church or temple or beyond the houses of God. That is why God sent the good lord as the messenger for the mission to right the wrong and to put things right in all houses of God. This is the Mission of Heaven.
The mission is not to champion any religion or favor any and definitely not to make men idolise the good lord. Those who idolise the lord may think they are near but in fact they may be far if they do not live by doctrine or Tao.
The near may be far and the far near. This applies to men of all faiths in relation to their prophets or saints. Didn't Lord Bo Tien said so?
If men do idolize a saint or any man, be it himself or others, he is in a way idolizing ego, ultimately his own ego projected in what he is idolizing. Well some may not see this point. This is alright. Peace be with all.
The mission is not to champion any religion or favor any and definitely not to make men idolise the good lord. Those who idolise the lord may think they are near but in fact they may be far if they do not live by doctrine or Tao.
The near may be far and the far near. This applies to men of all faiths in relation to their prophets or saints. Didn't Lord Bo Tien said so?
If men do idolize a saint or any man, be it himself or others, he is in a way idolizing ego, ultimately his own ego projected in what he is idolizing. Well some may not see this point. This is alright. Peace be with all.
