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“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
valueslearned 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.
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