MANUAL
FOR THE JOURNEY OF
BUILDING A LIFE OF SUBSTANCE
The journey
of “Sacred Selfishness” and “Building a Life of Substance”
is the most important work you will ever do. The committed pursuit for
self-knowledge and self-love brings the power to live a meaningful vital
life of purpose, balance, and fulfillment. Use this manual as you read
Sacred Selfishness and actively engage in the process of building a life
of substance. Read and ponder the questions on these pages. There is a
space provided for answers. Take your time; this is important work. Feel
free to change your mind, add more at a later time, be creative, and risk
looking deep within as you discover your authentic self.
BEGINNING
THE JOURNEY
1.Sacred
selfishness means making the commitment
to become a person of substance. The
first step on the
journey of becoming a person of substance is to look
within, to really know oneself, to seek self-knowledge.
What might be the costs to you of seeking self-knowledge?
What might be the promise of self-knowledge?
COSTS OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE:
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PROMISES OF
SELF-KNOWLEDGE:
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How has this
exercise expanded your understanding about the
process of self-knowledge?
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What do you
fear about being in this process or being on this
journey? List some of your fears.
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How might
your need for approval from others like family
members, friends, coworkers get in your way?
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2. Knowing
yourself, really knowing yourself requires recognizing how you are a “captive
of normalcy” and may be trapped in your identity. You must examine
the past.
What does
“normal” mean to you?
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Make a list
of beliefs, values, preconceptions that have structured
your life.
(Ex. Belief: I am rational. Value: Rationality is the best way to live
a balanced life. Preconception: Irrational people are impossible.)
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Preconceptions________________________________________
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What are the
messages you have internalized from
parents/society/culture?
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How do these
messages keep you trapped in your identity?
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What feelings
come up as you read and consider these words?
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How might
these words be challenging to the way you are
living your life?
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How can questioning
everything you’ve been taught to believe as
right or wrong, free you from being trapped in your identity?
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3. “If
we want our lives to be those of growth and unfolding, we must give religious
(the word religious means to pay careful attention, to pay heed, or to
give careful thought to something) attention to every aspect of our experiences
and be willing to see every part of them as manifestations of the human
spirit. Learning that we have to seek the experience of life firsthand
rather than avoid it or transcend it, that our feelings, problems, crises,
struggles and pain are teachers and not just things to be overcome and
avoided, will help us pay attention to areas we normally neglect. In the
Western tradition the mystics consider these things manifestations of
the transcendent God, our higher power, or whatever name we wish to give
it.” (pg. 60)
In what ways
do you sometimes avoid or try to transcend your life?
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Why is it
important to stay “grounded” in living life and pay
careful attention to every aspect of your experiences?
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4. The religious
outlook involves: listening to thoughts and feelings, listening to the
unconscious expressed in dreams, fantasies, intuitions, artistic expressions,
and respecting physical and emotional symptoms. The Buddhist monk Thich
Nhat Hanh says this outlook is practicing “mindfulness.” Listening
to our hearts, minds, bodies and unconscious helps us realize our full
humanity and its potential. (pg. 60)
Describe how
you can practice mindfulness on this journey of
building a life of substance.
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