"Agency entails motives to advance the self within a social hierarchy: achievement, social
power, or material wealth. ... Communion is expressed as benevolence to familiar
others, or a more universalized concern for the well-being of
disadvantaged, distant others, or the ecological well-being of the
planet.
... dualism between self-interest and the dictates
of one’s moral code may be typical for most persons; however, ... (moral) exemplars are an exception to this rule. ... they defy this dualism by integrating their personal
ambitions with their moral convictions, yielding a state of 'enlightened
self-interest'
... enlightened self-interest underlies virtuous behavior, wherein the
best way to promote one’s own interests is by advancing the
interests of others, and vice versa. ..."
Frimer JA et al. The integration of agency and communion in moral personality: Evidence of enlightened self-interest. J Pers Soc Psychol 2011; 101(1): 149-63.
As we mature psychosocially our ego boundaries become increasingly more porous; our frame of reference shifts. We increasingly identify with and care more about humanity and the universe (becoming allocentric & ecocentric); and are naturally less & less egocentric. See also: http://healthyhealers.blogspot.ca/2012/08/adult-psychosocial-development.html
“When self-concern
is quiet, heaven and earth lie open in complete generosity. That is the mind of
abundance, the mind of flowing. When self-concern is noisy, the world is narrow
and risky, and resources for the anxious self appear perennially scarce.”
Murphy S.
Upside-down zen. Finding the marvelous in the ordinary. Wisdom Publications,
Boston, 2006.
Intentions to meditate shift from self-regulation, to self-exploration, and finally self-liberation. See:
Intentions to meditate shift from self-regulation, to self-exploration, and finally self-liberation. See:
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| Photo: Blake Shaw www.smithsonianmag.com |
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