NikolaiI
05-31-2009, 11:34 PM
The Buddha is quoted to have once said,
"There is no one in all the worlds who is more deserving of your love than you yourself."
And it's a quite common thought, "How can one treat others well, and compassionately, if one doesn't treat oneself with compassion?"
It's essential for one's well-being physically, mentally and spiritually, to act with kindness and love toward oneself, as well as to others.
Selfless work is good, it's also good to be strong enough to endure a little suffering. But it's also necessary to have balance. Treating ourselves as we would have others treat us might be a good rule. If for no other reason, than the logical one - if we want to help others; then we want them to act toward theirself with kindness, and what is the better way of learning than by example? So if we act with kindness and compassion toward ourself, others will notice and be influenced, just as if we act harshly toward ourself, others would be influenced (probably in a small degree; though with children more so).
Some people are wary of the phrase "to love oneself" as they are wary of narcissism, self-centeredness, and egoism. But to love oneself is not to be narcissistic. It is rather a calm way of living, peaceful, joyful. As Kierkegaard wrote in "Works of Love," to love oneself truly is to love God.
"There is no one in all the worlds who is more deserving of your love than you yourself."
And it's a quite common thought, "How can one treat others well, and compassionately, if one doesn't treat oneself with compassion?"
It's essential for one's well-being physically, mentally and spiritually, to act with kindness and love toward oneself, as well as to others.
Selfless work is good, it's also good to be strong enough to endure a little suffering. But it's also necessary to have balance. Treating ourselves as we would have others treat us might be a good rule. If for no other reason, than the logical one - if we want to help others; then we want them to act toward theirself with kindness, and what is the better way of learning than by example? So if we act with kindness and compassion toward ourself, others will notice and be influenced, just as if we act harshly toward ourself, others would be influenced (probably in a small degree; though with children more so).
Some people are wary of the phrase "to love oneself" as they are wary of narcissism, self-centeredness, and egoism. But to love oneself is not to be narcissistic. It is rather a calm way of living, peaceful, joyful. As Kierkegaard wrote in "Works of Love," to love oneself truly is to love God.