Selflessness or Self- denial:

Selflessness or Self- denial:

The ability to contribute to the well- being of a community and / the world as a whole in any form without engaging in self- glorification and or gratification of the carnal or sensual desires can be safely regarded as selflessness or altruism.

Whereas,

Neglecting ones acquired or inherited qualities, negating ones basic lawful demands, and living a life of self-effacement can be regarded as Self-denial.

While altruism may be very difficult to adopt and exhibit it often is confused with self-denial. The latter being draped in the garb of the former or vice-versa.  A very porous border sits between the two, easily transcended and thus produces much misunderstanding. 

As we live our lives, many of us may be making unfair sacrifices and stifling ourselves, denying ourselves of just justice with a proud notion of being selfless, humane and thus treading the right path; the path of the pious and righteous. However, we may not be what we think we are; Altruistic in the true sense of the word. Instead we might have unknowingly slipped into the terrain of self-denial. Unfortunately yet indisputably only the weak-spirited may choose to live such a life. It might be easy to run away in the forest and pronounce yourself a Samana following asceticism, but to bare the extremities of life and find solutions for the multitude hiccups and band-Aids for the numerous loopholes on the way is much challenging an ordeal. And history reveals that no civilization accomplished such arduous ordeals without there being several strands of selfless struggle supporting it. 

There hence erupts a very imperative need to keep ourselves constantly in check if exercising altruism. While selflessness may be healthy, self-denial may not, and can never be. If Homo sapiens have been blessed with certain   peculiar qualities and abilities, it sure is for a purpose. Fulfillment of our fundamental needs may never be lethal to a society’s well-being nor may contribute towards any catastrophe whatsoever if the methodology adopted for the fulfillment does not impinge on the safety, peace and existence of the ecosystem. And such attainment of needs will not turn us into selfish species. What should be taken into consideration is the fact that many selfless souls have indeed treaded this earth and most of what we possess today both material and immaterial is undoubtedly accredited to them. Hence altruism rightly is, the need of the hour. Had it not been for their selfless contributions the progression of human race with all its development would not have been possible.

To get recognized, to express oneself, to get identified, to outshine, to reach the summit; all this and much more is so intrinsic a part of human nature that to think of extricating these intentions from his personality may seem very unlikely. Identification, first as somebody’s someone (a daughter or son ) and then as an individual laced with particularistic capabilities  forms most part of our lives. Wanting the best life, living the best life is undeniably the epicenter, today, of our capitalist prone lifestyles. Nevertheless, proper and justified potencies of self-expression and self-actualization should not in any way be confused with selfishness as it is through these traits that we as humans may exert our rightful roles.

Challenging and befuddling, these terms may appear to be, but a modicum of the right sort of “S”expressed in the right way may work wonders; wonders that may likely change much of what we are today and wonders that may surely bring us towards a far better tomorrow.