Self-knowledge: A Difficult Path Full Of Satisfaction
In the pronaos of the temple of Apollo at Delphi, one read the inscription Gnothi Senitor, which literally means “know thyself”. A deep message that has transcended over time and that can be found in a large number of works by Greek authors. Even if it is true that its widest distribution corresponds to Plato, who includes it in his dialogues.
Self-knowledge is the support and the door that opens the way to self-realization. It is this thought process by which we know ourselves over time and which enables us to be aware of our inherent range of flaws, virtues, and all the qualities present in between each of these two extremes.
What is the point of getting to know each other?
Knowing yourself is the starting point for making decisions aimed at improving your well-being and improving yourself day after day. Because those who know each other know what makes them happy. What are their needs. And how far they can go. In addition, all of this influences self-esteem and the ability to control oneself.
Self-knowledge also influences knowledge of one’s rights, duties and responsibilities. Somehow, she offers a broader and more sincere view of herself, which implies the possibility of boosting her self-esteem, if she is weakened.
However, one of the most important aspects is that knowing yourself involves less impulsiveness and greater awareness of feelings, thoughts and actions. Somehow it influences us to keep in mind the consequences of our actions as well as everything we go through.
How do you get to know yourself?
In general, people tend to think that they know each other well, that they really know what they are like, but sometimes the reality is quite different.
Getting to know yourself is no easy task and can take years. It is even quite possible that we may never know each other completely. In fact, experiences change us. We are not the same today as we were a few years ago, nor are we the same as tomorrow.
So the first requirement for knowing yourself is to be honest with yourself. To do this, we must free ourselves from the traps of self-delusion and the mechanisms we put in place to protect ourselves from time to time. It is about developing a capacity for deep analysis and trying to tap into our essence, which goes far beyond what we think we are.
The phases of the self-knowledge process
- Self-perception : it supposes the passive observation, although realistic and intimate of our being.
- Self-observation : this is about analyzing our actions and behaviors in order to understand the reason for our behavior.
- The autobiographical memory : it is reviewing all the memories and experiences along our lifeline. This way, it will be easier to remember what happened to us in the past. At a specific time and place.
- Self-esteem : this phase corresponds to the revision of self-esteem. How we value ourselves and how we despise ourselves. Somehow knowing yourself gives us a map of the love we have for ourselves. It allows us to understand if we need to invest more love in our hearts.
- Self-concept : this is the set of characteristics that make up the self-image. The latter is generated by value judgments.
- Self-acceptance : after the previous phases of reflecting on your own existence and feelings, the time has come to accept yourself. To look at yourself in the mirror. And to recognize ourselves as we are. Only in this way will the cycle of maturation and self-knowledge culminate.
On the other hand, asking important and far-reaching questions can help us walk the path of self-knowledge. For example, who am I? Or what are my goals and objectives? Here are important questions that provide us with information about ourselves.
The practice of mindfulness is also a good tool. Indeed, it allows us to reach states of calm and serenity. From which we can deepen in ourselves.
As you can see, getting to know yourself is not easy. Dive into our depths. Accept all that we are and what we are not. It takes time. Some efforts. But above all, sincerity. Things that not all people are ready to take on. Yet, it would be enough for them to set out to embark on one of the most fascinating journeys that life can offer us.
Our thoughts In this article, we are going to share with you the 3 best tools to develop your self-knowledge in a simple and effective way …
