There seems to have been an unusually high number of posts in the immediate past that rush to judgment and just call it narcissism or arrogance. I can't say I know the difference or even if there is a difference, and I'm sure that there really is naricissistic behavior that is damaging to the person and those near his or her influence. Maybe it's just a matter of some people being more publicly honest with their love of self than others. Or perhaps those accusing of narcissism simply don't like themselves as much and are uncomfortable with others expressing high self-worth. Sometimes a person intending to inspire, uplift or clarify is taken as condescending, and there's never a consensus on which is actually the case; one can easily perceive elements of healthy self-esteem to be patently narcissistic, especially through such a narrow medium with no total human interaction. Anyway, I don't mean to convince anyone of anything, but to put the idea out for consideration. I'm sure there's some cool perspectives on this matter. I'll just throw out a few crude examples of what might be the difference between narcissism and self-esteem, if there is a difference. "true" love of self means that one sees no distinction between his or her self and the surrounding people and things of the world. In this case love of self means that the person loves others as much as his or her self, in the same way a person would cherish both his right and left arm equally, and even though one arm would be used more, or given more attention, the other arm is not valued or loved any less. The strong arm is simply the more familiar arm. ^that's my main thought, but here's a few bullet points that I'll just throw out there which may or may not be true, and some items might belong in both categories. As a disclaimer these are not "two types of people" these are two modes of being that are within all people and more of one tends to be the case than the other at a given time: self-esteem or love of self: breeds personal contentment, feeling of having seeks to elevate others is quieter holds same respect for others as self gives confidence narcissism: breeds personal dissatisfaction, a feeling of yearning for something seeks to humble others is louder doesn't respect others as much as isolated self shows confidence
I concur my good man. I've said/posted it before but I feel this from the New Testament says well.. You have echoed a lot of the same in your ideas on self-esteem/self love. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Yes!I've noticed this trend and am worried it is the way the forums are going. It would be a real shame. This is supposed to be about love and acceptance. Isn't it?
good remarks. that part of corinthians is so relevant. Another analogy I'll add is that love of self is similar to a healthy, honest well-functioning marriage or r'ship, and narcissism is more like a puppy-love type infatuation in which the people can't or won't see problems in the r'ship. Maybe narcissism is infatuation with oneself, rather than love for oneself.
it definitely is. it's unhealthy for people, let alone acid heads. their minds on over-drive, who knows?
I'm a narcissist, straight up. I suspect narcissism is different for everyone. I am just entirely pleased with myself and I love me significantly more than I love anyone else. I think I'm hilarious and gorgeous. Narcissism is unhealthy love. To me, it's unrequited love, y'know? I love me, and me doesn't love myself back. Oh, yes, and I think I'm witty as fuck. I regularly think about things I said and think, "God, that was smart/funny. I'm so smart/funny."
good thought, something that would have taken me deep consideration and long thought to put into words.. i think that "self-love" comes from appreciating all life equally and feeling true compassion for other human beings. only then can one truly begin to be happy and love one's self. reminds me of a quote from the movie "equus" (sp?) the quote is: "worship all that you see and more will appear."
i think that narcissism is healthy to a certain extent. Once it begins to affect ones life and lead them away from the truth then that is when it becomes uhealthy. There is a reason for elitism, and for superiority. But it doesnt necesarily have to do with what a person believes or how narcissistic they are. It is something you are born into. These people made themselves, it is their karma. The superior and inferior people are equal on a spiritual level, they are just playing different roles. It is impossible to have a standard without something to compare it against. Most things in life operate by a system of duality. All people deserve equal oportunity and equal rights. And we do have them. People are equal in this way, in a spiritual context. But to say that we are all equal is just ignorant, because we arent. We are all individuals, and some people take more advantage of the opportunities afforded them than others. In this particular instance the polarity is a case of narcissism vs humility. Without enough narcissism one becomes airy, unable to exert their influence or understand their worth and relationship with god. With too much narcissirm and too little humility one becomes too weighty and cannot transform theirselves for fear of detatchment.. A middle ground must be found, a heavenly unity. However the ultimate goal is to know god, not to follow him for peronal gain or profit. Narcissism must be balanced out with a healthy amount of divine love, humility, and compassion for god as well as other beings. It should not be done away with completely. With more power a greater burden must be entertained, and to not realise ones worth and place in life in relationship to god may undo all the good that may be possible. A healthy narcissism is a necesity, as is undestanding ones place and purpose in life. Sorry for the wall of text, my enter button is broken.
haha no worries D, your post flowed with an easy airy humility and with influental narcissism. excellent thoughts
