Self-Honesty
The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be. ~Socrates
Being honest with oneself, without any sense of pretense, pride, or shame, is one of the most significant undertakings of a human life. It is at that moment that our outlook on life begins to change. One comes to a place in life where pretense is tiring and unless authenticity of existence takes place, all will have become a farce and a big lie that begins to build upon the next lie and then the next.
Self-honesty is also one of our most difficult undertakings and those who choose to take this path will find that they spend much more time in the process of becoming a loving and compassionate human being than they ever did in trying to “fix” others or the world around them. With much contemplation, it will become apparent that each human being has much work to do if they desire to evolve and grow in this lifetime.
I love this quote by Socrates, which I used today, because it brings this work down to the level where we all live. Each and every one of us projects our ideal onto the world. We want others to see us in the best light possible. We want to be seen as good, as caring, as intelligent and as someone who cares enough about others to contribute positively to their lives in some fashion. In short, we all desire to be good. These are tangible ideals and desires, and not at all impossible to attain. Yet, within each of our lives, it seems, there are many struggles and much pain to face. Motivations must be looked at honestly.
I have mentioned before how impressed I was by the work of best selling author and Psychiatrist, Dr. Scott Peck, and the conclusion he had come to after many years in practice. In one of his later books, Dr. Peck mentioned that the greatest healing a human being can encounter is through a total spiritual surrender and commitment. Similarly, the famous Swiss Psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, once had to be completely honest with one of his hopeless patients, Roland, when he told him, “Alas, neither I, nor my art, can help you, and your only hope is to throw yourself wholeheartedly into a spiritual program, for it is recorded in history that, although rare, recoveries have occurred under those circumstances.” Roland eventually had a dramatic recovery and he set the stage for what is known around the world as the “Twelve-Step Movement,” as well as other faith-based programs (Hawkins 2006). As a result of this advice, millions of people have been helped and healed in these types of programs.
A friend of mine, Dr. Steve, introduced me to a spiritual teacher by the name of Dr. David R. Hawkins who has changed my outlook on life more than anything else ever has before. Steve has also profoundly touched my life for the past three years. The result of our meeting has been a clearer understanding of my own inner workings, my desires and yearnings, and even of my greatest fears. This understanding has taught me the need to reach deeper within myself to find answers to some very difficult questions and the findings have been well worth the search. Steve has been very influential in solidifying my deepest convictions of God’s presence in my life as he has worked with me with understanding, kindness and compassion. I am very thankful for his life.
Dr. Hawkins explains beautifully, in his work, the reason why we struggle so much. He explains clearly and concisely that our ego, the lower and more primitive part within each of us, is tenacious in holding on, insisting on its own way and wanting to stay in charge. It plays havoc with our emotions and our lives when we allow it to be in control. Dr. Hawkins also explains though, that it is not something to be shunned or hated, but rather to be embraced and accepted. It is a matter of the “will” and re-training ourselves in recognizing that the God, who lives in each of us, has a much nobler path for us to walk. The experience of finding, choosing, and walking that path will prove to be life changing. Self honesty will lead this way.
Thomas Jefferson said, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” It takes enormous courage to be honest with oneself. Looking at every detail of our lives and at every corner of our heart will bring to the forefront those things that need to be turned over to the grace of God. Such radical authenticity will bring greater freedom, peace, and happiness into one’s life.
I am honored to be able to attend a “one-day seminar with my husband,” presented by Dr. David Hawkins that will be held this November. This man is 80 years old and has committed his entire life to helping others and to spiritual research. His work is, I believe, profoundly important in the day and age in which we live. I am deeply thankful for the work he has contributed to our world!
Sounds like a great man. I bet the seminar will be wonderful.
Comment by Rose — September 20, 2007 @ 1:19 am
You have a lot of wisdom. I will check Dr. Hawkins out myself. Thanks for the info.
Comment by anonymous — September 23, 2007 @ 2:43 am
Thank you Anonymous. I would recommend Power vs. Force for your first book by Dr. Hawkins. I think you will enjoy and appreciate his insight.
Comment by Viola Jaynes — September 30, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
I once noted that I always hoped to be the kind of man my daughter thinks I am.
This post causes reflection- of the good kind.
Comment by SC&A — October 19, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Thank you Siggy!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — October 19, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Hi Siggy,
Dr. Hawkins has also changed my life in an enormous way as well as the lives of my brother and my father. Tell me how your seminar went and I will share my experiences with you from the previous seminars I attended in 2003 and 2004. Thanks!
-Paul
Comment by Paul Ambrose — February 5, 2008 @ 6:54 am
Hello Paul,
Thank you so much for coming to visit my site. I am pleased to hear that Dr. Hawkins also made such an i impression on your life. I will e-mail you. By the way, I am Viola, not Siggy!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — February 5, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Hello I’m Tom. Greetings from the high desert also known as the Old Pueblo in southern Arizona. I just had an interesting experience. I sat down at my PC to search Dr David R Hawkins but typed Dr.Steven R instead. It was not my intention, but it was Steven that showed up in the field.And there was your website right on top. From the looks of things I would say Thanks for not being a well without water. Man what has a fellow got to do to get a drink around here. And spiritual things matter. Well we all know what matter is. I really just want to share something I stumbled upon a few weeks ago. It’s a Great Quote by a now deceased French Jesuit, scientist, and philosopher named Pierre Theilhard de Chardin. I don’t know if he made it up or if he read it somewhere or if it just showed up in his field one day but I’m very glad he left it behind. Pierre said “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience”. Thanks Pierre. That one is going to be on the table before me forever. Or as long as I’m having a human experience. Perspective is what shapes our disposition and attitude is everything! How hard is it to hold to a right perspective anyway. In my experience, abiding has some ups and downs. I’ve gone long here, but I’m feeling much better. Thanks, Tom H April 6, 2008 P.S. How about that fellow Dr. David R. Hawkins. Thanks for the fruit of his labor.
Comment by Tom H — April 7, 2008 @ 4:52 am
Hello Tom,
I am glad you landed on my site. Stop by any time. I love that quote you shard with me here. I’ve read it before and I think it is wonderful and so true!
Best wishes to you always!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — April 7, 2008 @ 8:31 am
Whisper this in your ear. I am that I am. I will be what I will be.
Comment by Tom H — April 11, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
Tom, could you explain yourself a bit more. Thanks!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — April 11, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
Looks like graffito. I can’t stand graffiti but graffito That’s a little different. I’ve been reading a little poetry. Remember the sculpture of the fellow we have come to call The Thinker. When he was much younger he was called The Poet. Hi Vi. The verybest to you. I really like your Self Honesty page. Where is self honesty on his list of priorities. Probably not too far from his keep priorities in order priority. Back to what looks like graffito. It’s permitted or it’s not permitted or it’s permitted. What say ye. Have no other god before Love. You said Leave a comment.
Comment by Tom H — April 14, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
I gobbled up the mountains Et the sky and Drank the sea Until I was the universe The universe was me
Comment by Tom H — April 30, 2008 @ 6:49 am