"I had a sense of something, but I really had no idea! This really help me understand myself."
How many times have you heard someone say something like this?
The reality is, all of us only know parts of ourselves, both before and after moments of enlightenment.
In its purest form, this is just simple observation. There really isn’t even a need for any particular moralization about it either — as it is just simply true.
Most healthy human beings seem inclined to learning more about themselves. This also seems simply observable. Awareness overall, especially self-awareness, is generally both a good and helpful thing.
It is when we become preoccupied with the prospect of self-knowledge that things seem to get off track rather quickly. Full self-knowledge is not only unattainable, it is also unnecessary, not to mention unhelpful because it is usually driven by other, unhealthy forces. It can end up in a kind of narcissism, which is destructive both to oneself and to others because it doesn’t stop. It can't stop — as its appetite is relentless and insatiable. And, it invariably projects itself on to others. A preoccupation with self-knowledge is too often just disguised desire for perfection:
We can (and should) still honor and follow our natural instincts to better understand who we are; being aware, however, that obsession with doing so is no longer about understanding and growth...as much it is about a false sense of control and superiority.
The poor in spirit are blessed and are not crushed by criticism because they are not trying to protect an idealized version of themselves.
-- Rich Villodas
