Pierre

Playlist.com URL

Albums Featured On My Playlists

General Info

It does not suprise me that people feel irritated when they hear this much overused phrase, "Know yourself." The term has been tossed about since the dawn of civilization and has been especially abused over the the past two decades(or more). People offer vague general advice but very little is suggested of a specific nature as how to bring it off. We are seldom told if we can do this alone, if one needs a guide, a psychiatrist, a minister or a mystic. Oscar Wilde said that "only the shallow know themselves." The implication of his statement is most profound. It suggests that there must never be an end to the process. There is a wonderful story of a man who emerged after years of self-study, in a state of uncontroled elation. He finally come in touch with the secret of myself. I know myself!" A passerby stopped him in curiosity. "How wonderful," he said, "and what have you found?" "I am one with all things," the elated man answered. "You are one with all things?" the passerby repeated. "You mean I'm not? asked the man.

It is obvious that since we are far more potential than we shall ever be able to realize, a goal of knowing oneself fully is unrealistic. It is best, an ongoing process. Still, some degree of self-knowledge is essential for survival. Others can only know us to the degree to which we are known to ourselves. We must have a caring relationship with ourselves before we can expect others to do so. Since developing as a person is a lifetime process we must risk disclosing ourselves at the moment as we are - incomplete and imperfect. It is through this loving disclosure, in vulnerability, that others risk and help us to learn more about ourselves. If we place restrictions upon our relating, we will have less opportunity for learning. When we are willing to share, others will share in return. If we are afraid to disclose our imperfect selves we cannot expect others to feel secure enough to do so and we continue to remain strangers. I have a friend who assures us that he may not be much but it's all he has at the moment. This he is willing to give us. He hopes that is enough. Too often we believe that we are ready to give more, be more and adjust more than we truly are. Unless we are realistic about ourselves, ther can be no true relating, no self-growth or acceptance of others. "The first affair we must consumate successfully is the love affair with ourselves," says Nathaniel Branden, in his book The Psychology of Romantic Love. "Only then we are ready for other love relationship." Ultimatly, no matter how concerned we are about others, we must be primarily responsible for ourselves, for it is only what we have that we are able to give to another. If we feel invisble, inadequate, and victimized, then we have no power to give another visibility, security and strength.

To learn about oneself requires constant awareness of self. It suggest a commitment to the unlimited powers of the mind and body and soul to change and grow in a volitional direction. It involves the termination of self-deception and observing, as best we can, how we act out what we believe. Only those who are dedicated to knowing and accepting themselves can accept these quality in others