Page 46 - NAMAH-Oct-2024

The Myth of Self-Love

James Anderson

Abstract
Contrary to popular understanding, self-love is only falsehood; it amounts to little more than self-
interest. It does not support a true and sustained well-being. Seeking satisfaction in our personal
wants is no foundation for progress. For that, we need to purify ourselves and our love. For
practice, we have to climb the gradations of Love. At the summit, one loves for the sake of loving.
One becomes it. This is the supreme state.

self-love is a pillar on which we have built our
lives. There is a whole culture behind it. Self-
love is a core teaching in self-development
circles. It is almost mandatory and taken
for granted. We might believe that self-love
addresses the entirety of ourselves but that
is not true. Eventually we realise that this
self-love is only an illusion.

We have to be honest with ourselves. We
“Self-love is the great obstacle. need to make a reality-check and look more
“Divine love is the great remedy (1)” disinterestedly into the validity of self-love.
This edifice is not grounded in Truth. It rests
Much is said these days about the necessity on shifting sands that constantly crumble
for self-love. How can we love others unless because the love we hold within ourselves
we love ourselves first, it is reasonably asked. is imperfect. Self-love is but a disguise for

Through this movement, we construct our vanity and our selfishness. It goads us to rest
well-being. The self-worth that comes with on our laurels. But this self-love will ultimately
it is how we equip ourselves for everyday bring us misery. We should consider the
living. With self-esteem, we can stand on our Jealousy, the self-pity and countless other
own two feet and make our mark on life. So, toxic movements that are a consequence of

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