Self-Love For Spiritual Growth
Self-love, often defined by the unalterable concept of “love for one’s self” or “esteem for one’s self” is the ideal that we aspire to in life. It is the most powerful force in shaping our values, beliefs and attitudes towards others and the world in general. It is the essence of the path on which we lead our lives, not by detaching from it but by connecting to it and integrating it in our very being.
Self-love is the attitude we have towards our own self. The ability to love oneself comes hand in hand with the ability to love and respect another. To be able to give another person, or to anyone, the essential value of self-love is to be able to turn away from our own faults and the defects that invariably set us apart, turning instead to the excellence of our character. Thus, self-love is the ability to detach oneself from the defects of their character, and to incorporate the qualities of kindness, compassion, and truthfulness into our own character – qualities that are invaluable to our fellow beings.
In order to move beyond the self-absorption that comes with an attitude of self-love we must begin to be more aware of the quality of what we feed into ourselves. That quality may be called spirit, energy, or good will. Whatever we feed into ourselves (spirit, energy, and good will) becomes part and parcel of who we are as well as what we are capable of doing. Thus, turning away from the self-absorption that can inhibit spiritual growth and well-being and connecting with the essential qualities of ourselves is the first step toward connecting with and following our divine essence.
A second step to improving your self-love would be to become consciously aware of the different kinds of connection you have with other people and other beings as well. It is possible to be connected to another person as much as to your own self; however, not all of us are equally connected to one another. Those who have a good sense of who they are as well as those who have a good sense of who they are not will naturally feel a stronger affinity with others. Such people will naturally want to be connected with others in a way that gives them well-being and true spiritual growth.
Low self-esteem and suicidal ideation do not necessarily go together. No one with a low self-esteem is automatically suicidal. Nor do those who are depressed or suffer from low self-esteem necessarily intend to commit suicide. Conversely, no one with a positive self-image and high self-esteem will necessarily engage in suicidal behavior either. We can, however, make our own better decisions and live better lives if we improve our self-love.
For example, it may be difficult for someone who has a very poor self-image to love himself enough to give up cigarettes, alcohol, or other addictions. However, such a person might also wish to improve his own life and connect more with others by overcoming addictions. Similarly, there may be someone with a very low self-esteem who wishes to become a happier person and learn more about the spiritual world he could be a part of. He might want to become more appreciative of the good things he does have and connect with others more. Such a person could develop a positive relationship with an inspirational leader. Overcoming self-doubt, developing self-love and following up on our own aspirations with spiritual growth are all crucial elements for spiritual growth. See here https://www.wizdomspeaks.com/