If I could write just one line, it would simple be – ‘There is no self’, but it shall offer not much practicality for anyone, but is the truth. Therefore, will provide some writing.
All humans seek to better their lives, one way or other. Openly or secretly, all are seeking a way to find some meaning, purpose, have healthier relationships, peace, love, respect and so on. Nothing wrong with that, as viscerally all want similar things, to change something about their inner or outer world, only the details might differ. Intention is benevolent and pragmatic but path chosen is often credulous.
In recent years, Self-Love has emerged as a new hack, more so as promoted by societal well-wishers, mentors and gurus. Majority indulge in this new divine technique without clearly understanding the truth of Self-Love, leading nowhere tangible in the pursuit. It becomes just another empty chase with desired results out of sight. Not sure why so many wake up around New Year time and make such resolutions, maybe the sun sets and rises in a different way that day!
In today’s modern society, pursuit of self-love centres on enhancing and polishing of the fabricated Ego-self, the baggage of identity, one adopts and blindly carries throughout his lives. Simply put, understanding of Self -love is limited to Self-care of how others perceive him. Whether it is starting a new hobby, adopting a new beauty routine, caring for our aesthetics, enrolling in online or offline courses, attending retreats or a new book he reads to sound more spiritual or intellectual. All of it is driven to make his self-image better in one way or another. Do not get my words wrong, some individuals have genuine pursuits and make meaningful strides as inspired by true self-love.
Covered in the blanket of falsehood, he keeps engaging in these societal dogmas, as he believes practicing self-care under the guise of self-love will bring him the happiness he seeks, resolve his internal conflicts, or make his relationships better in some way. Temporary benefits shall be experienced surely as most hacks and routines do in some way. Honestly, vast majority is merely chasing a fleeting dose of dopamine! And this chase, never ends.
My friend, the reality is that the hollow mantra of self-love, as sold by society can never fill the voids in the lives or bring the peace most seek. Simply because it lacks the necessary ingredients of clarity. Take an honest moment to reflect on your own life and see if this pursuit ever provided the genuine fulfilment you originally desired?
Self-love is a journey one takes to arrive at a place where the relationship with SELF evolves, how we LOVE ourselves transforms. Not merely limited to enhance the self-image as most adhere to. As one makes progress on this path, the grip society has over him starts to loosen and relationships with those around starts to evolve. He then lives with greater awareness to his actions and reactions, where peace becomes a natural visitor in his daily lives.
A person who truly loves the self, can genuinely love others. Without being at peace with oneself, one lacks the prerequisites to find peace with any other human being.
