PART C - Self Awareness - Beyond Self Centredness

[BarbaraTherese]

This is Part C in the “Self Awareness” series from the Aquinas Institute. For parts A and B and in an earlier thread, go to:

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=177319

PART C
SELF-AWARENESS BEYOND SELFCENTREDNESS
http://www.aquinas-academy.com/body_reflections 116a.htm

The pathology of self-centredness manifests itself, for example:…

…Sometimes the border between genuine self-care leading to self-transcendence on the one hand, and mere self-centredness on the other, is not so clear. That’s life. We do our best to be self-transcendent rather than self-centred. We are constantly …"…(see link above)

All articles that I do post always have said something to me in the first instance…most often indeed causing me to pause and take a long hard look at myself.

Blessings all…Barb

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[InLight247]

Nor should we think that the simple fact of believing in Jesus Christ is enough to preserve us from this tragedy. The quest for holiness can mask self-centeredness. This may be manifest in such attributes as dogmatism, moralism, legalism and judgementalism. The self-centered pursuit of holiness has nothing to do with holiness and everything to do with an infantile wish for a life that is rendered safe and secure in the knowledge that I am doing the “right” thing.

I think the bottom line of this question lies in whether we are self-centered or Christ-centered. I am not talking about theory but from experience. Before one lives and experiences the meaning of being Christ centered, “Christ centered” is a slogan.

Dying to self and live in Christ is a daily, as well as a life time effort. In the earlier part of our journey, one may talk about being Christ-centered, but actually lives self-centered. In that stage, one believes in Jesus Christ, loves Jesus Christ; however this love contains a lot of self-centered love masked by the love of Christ.

When a deep life encounter with Jesus happened, the person then witnessed a true transformation of his own life. His discipleship would never be the same.

The pursuit of holiness, though still includes the motivation of benefiting self (better union with God, going to Heaven, etc…), now contains more genuine love of God. His journey now shifts from self-centered to more Christ-centered. And the jouney continues on.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I think the bottom line of this question lies in whether we are self-centered or Christ-centered. I am not talking about theory but from experience. Before one lives and experiences the meaning of being Christ centered, “Christ centered” is a slogan.

Dying to self and live in Christ is a daily, as well as a life time effort. In the earlier part of our journey, one may talk about being Christ-centered, but actually lives self-centered. In that stage, one believes in Jesus Christ, loves Jesus Christ; however this love contains a lot of self-centered love masked by the love of Christ.

When a deep life encounter with Jesus happened, the person then witnessed a true transformation of his own life. His discipleship would never be the same.

The pursuit of holiness, though still includes the motivation of benefiting self (better union with God, going to Heaven, etc…), now contains more genuine love of God. His journey now shifts from self-centered to more Christ-centered. And the jouney continues on.

I couldn’t add more!

Jim

 

[BarbaraTherese]

As I journey, I am ever confronted with where I actually am not centred in Christ and His Gospel and the call to conversion. I am often taken by surprise by what I considered “only a fault or imperfection” almost suddenly expressed itself to the point where I had an option: to sin, or not to sin. At times I went this way at other times that. Conversion I think is an ongoing matter on ever deepening levels and probably will be for the rest of my life. I dont know about mystics and Spiritual Union/Marriage of course or what they may experience/not experience. I do think of it as being that state where one could say “I live not now, but Christ lives in me”.
I remain confident that Grace will ever be present for me (as for all)to avoid sin and resist temptation.
Am I always faithful to that Grace - no I am not. And sin and imperfections are an indication where one is not Christ Centred, but self centred.
I am reminded of what St. Francis of Assisi said “Pride dies 10 mintues after we do”.
Am I Christ Centred? I hope so generally speaking. Certainly, the article alerted me to places where I can do much better (I hope) than I am currently doing.

There is another way of looking at things it has just occured to me…if I recognize myself as sinner centred in God and His Love and Mercy and absolutely dependant totally on His Mercy - I am then Christ Centred and centred in His Gospel? I guess it rests on the definition of “Christ Centred”.

We are constantly facing gray areas and having to make decisions and move on when we cannot be absolutely certain we re right. This is where we rely on grace and mercy, patience and forgiveness. Adrian van Kaam sums it up nicely:

“The Lord will never ask how successful we were in overcoming a particular vice, sin, or imperfection. He will ask us, ‘Did you humbly and patiently accept this mystery of iniquity in your life? How did you deal with it? Did you learn from it to be patient and humble? Did it teach you to trust not your own ability but My love? Did it enable you to understand better the mystery of iniquity in the lives of others? Did it give you the most typical characteristic of a truly religious person–that they never judge or condemn the sin and imperfection of others?’ The religious man knows from his own life that the demon of evil can be 'stronger than man even in spite of his best attempts; he knows that it is the patience, humility, and charity learned from this experience that count. Success and failure are accidental. The joy of the Christian is never based on his personal religious success but on the knowledge that his Redeemer lives. The Christian is the one who is constantly aware of his or her need of salvation. Acceptance of the mystery of iniquity in our project of existence is a school of mildness, mercy, forgiveness, and loving understanding of our neighbour.” (Adrian van Kaam, Religion and Personality (Revised Edition), Dimension Books, 1980, pp.14-15)

Blessings - Barb
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[BarbaraTherese]

Quoting InLight

I think the bottom line of this question lies in whether we are self-centered or Christ-centered. I am not talking about theory but from experience. Before one lives and experiences the meaning of being Christ centered, “Christ centered” is a slogan.

This is a good point I thought. I think we all hopefully make that transition which I think is the experience of radical “conversio” in one’s life that you mentioned. To understand and believe in God’s Mercy for example can be a concept (slogan) in the intellect and a matter of Faith - and entirely valid and positive - until the day one is “enlightened” I think could be the word and one actually experiences God’s Mercy and it becomes a lived experience. The same could be said of “Christ Centred” perhaps, although I need admit I am unsure of the definition.

Blessings and regards…barb
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[BarbaraTherese]

CHRISTOCENTRIC

Concentrating on Christ. The term is frequently contrasted with theocentric (centered on God, as distinct from the God-Man), and **anthropocentric **(centered on man). There is an absolute sense in which every action of a believer should be Christocentric, being done for Christ, like Christ, with Christ, and in Christ. (Etym. Latin Christus; from Greek Christos, “the anointed [one],” from chriein, to anoint + kentrikos, from kentron, center.)
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Never realized the distinctions and various definitions before…thank you for bringing up the subject, InLight.
As long as I live, I will be learning I hope…

Blessings and regards…Barb
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[InLight247]

Thank you, Barb, for initiating this post. It gives me an opportunity of reflection.

Christ-centered means Christ is our central focus. “In Him we live, move and have our being.” We want to do everything that pleases Him, avoid anything that displeases Him.

I especially like Psalm 73:25:
“Whom have I in heaven but thee?
And none beside thee delights me on earth.”

Whether in heaven or on earth, Christ is always the ultimate One, the center of focus.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

The Psalms are absolutely beautiful aren’t they! Often in the simplest of words they say so very much. They are also beautiful poetry.
I had heard of “Christ Centred” and “Christology” came to me from somewhere or other from previous years, but I never understood until I looked up Father Hardon’s definition that “Christology” is an actual theology…that may sound weird since the word ends in “ology” and is self explanatory. I can be pretty dense:blush: at times and miss the most simplest of matters.
I am going to research into “Christology”. Of course, I did insight that Christ is our focus as Christians and Catholics…as I said, pretty dense at times!

Blessing InLight…and regards…Barb
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