Special

por Arleir Bellieny

The vanities of the ego and the good man

“The ancient legend of Narcissus lives on, in our smallest gestures, to a greater or lesser extent. In everything and everywhere, we fall in love with our own image. (...) We accept the collaboration of others, but we find it difficult to offer the contribution that is our responsibility. In every step of the human struggle, we find virtue surrounded by vices and dignified knowledge almost suffocated by the thorns of ignorance, because, unfortunately, each of us, in general, lives in search of the self.” – Emmanuel (1)


Emmanuel's warning leads us to reflect on the commitments assumed, as incarnate spirits, in the present stay on Earth. The myth of Narcissus still seems to jump out of our guts, inducing us to make wrong decisions, and surprising reactions, in the face of problem situations that arise in our relationship life.

In Psychology we call egocentrism the condition or state of mind of the egocentric. It has its origins in Greek, being the junction of egon and Kentron, which means "I in the center". It is an excessive exaltation of one's own personality, making the individual feel as if he is the center of attention. Not being able to show empathy because he cannot put himself in the other person's shoes, because he is always busy appreciating his own image; an egocentric individual is also selfish, because he thinks only of himself, or at least he thinks of himself first.

The continuity of this behavior tends to worsen over time. These are cases that suggest intensive and continuous psychological treatment, with an emphasis on issues of egocentrism that imprison minds in chains of self-images and delusional fantasies, leading the person to the cruel and unusual journey to the cult of the self.

The superior spirits guiding Allan Kardec (2) clarify that all evil derives from selfishness; it is incompatible with justice, love and charity; and it must be attacked in its cause.

It seems that in the course of multiple reincarnations the egoist repeats this behavior so many times that it becomes vicious, compromising him with the law of cause and effect. By refusing to see or turn to the other, he contradicts the maxim “without charity there is no salvation” (2), the most excellent of the virtues, according to Paul (3).

Even in the face of the opportunities that life provides to change habits, customs and values, the egoist tends to repeat the same behavioral patterns, denying and rejecting what is not to his liking or that may escape his control. In doing so, he postpones precious chances of transformation and release of emotional contents encapsulated in the psyche since remote incarnations, being able to manifest itself in the current life in different ways, causing physical and/or spiritual ills; from the simplest to the most severe pathologies; from anger or guilt, to anger and desires for revenge.

On the other hand, those who practice the exercise of humility, being faced with the test and challenges encountered on the road of life, seek to understand that “evil is only repaired by good, and reparation has no merit if it does not reach man in his own right”. pride or material interests” (5); understanding and accepting the reasons why this or that test is imposed on him, he strives to overcome it. It is worth emphasizing that perseverance is essential, without which it will not be possible to move forward. “God refuses consolation to him who lacks courage”. (6)

In chap. XII of The Book of Spirits in question 893, the Lyon professor asks the benefactors: What is the most meritorious of all virtues? Obtaining the following answer: “All virtues have their merit, because they are all signs of progress. There is virtue whenever there is voluntary resistance to the dragging of evil tendencies. But the sublime in virtue consists in the sacrifice of personal interest for the good of others, without hidden intention. The most meritorious is that which is founded on the most disinterested charity.”

I can then say that our habits, customs and values​​learned and modified over the course of reincarnations, in accordance with the Laws of Justice, Love and Charity, point to an emptying of the Ego, free from vanities and therefore adjusted to the behavior of a Good Man.

As the virtues are conquered, in direct proportion to the effort that each one makes to overcome the vicious tendencies in the form-behavior, we will be getting closer and closer to the knowledge and exercise of Christian love, leaving behind the heavy burden of the atavistic behavior, and moving forward in new directions, confident in the promise of the Master Jesus in the Sermon on the Beatitudes: “Blessed are those who are gentle and peaceful, for they will possess the earth and will be called children of God”.

 

References:

1 - Emmanuel, Living Source, chapter 101, FEB.

2 - Kardec, Allan, The Book of Spirits, question 913, IDE, 1974, 96th edition.

3 - Kardec, Allan, The Gospel According to Spiritism, chapter XV, Item 6, IDE, 1978,        217th edition.

4 - Idem, item 5.

5 - Kardec, Allan, The Book of Spirits, question 1000, book IV, chapter II Sorrows and Future Enjoyments.

6 - Kardec, Allan, The Gospel According to Spiritism, chapter V, item 18, IDE, 1978,         217th edition.

 

Arleir Bellieny is a clinical psychologist, an international spiritist expositor and a founding member of the AME-Rio and the AME International.


 

Translation:
Eleni Frangatos - eleni.moreira@uol.com.br

 
 

     
     

O Consolador
 Revista Semanal de Divulgação Espírita