Immunity is a battle between ‘me’ and ‘not me.’ Our brains and bodies are designed to be entirely egocentric. Genes are self-interested because they ensure their own survival. If I don’t exist, then there is no one else and no love. After all, loving others is an extension of loving myself. If there ’ s a distortion or immaturity in self-love, even when loving others, it can leave a scar, and that wound leaves a scar on me again. The victim consciousness forgets this mechanism. Just as immunity is vital for physical health, it’s equally crucial in mental health or religion — the immune system against self-love must remain strong. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
If thinking is categorized practically, it can be broadly split into ‘volitional thinking’ and ‘instrumental thinking.’ Volitional thinking involves the belief that to succeed, a person must have a strong will to overcome hardships and obstacles. Self-improvement falls under this category. However, to actually overcome hardships and obstacles, it is instrumental thinking that drives us to consider that we need ‘tools’ to get past them. In other words, it’s like how carpenters build houses: they construct the structure, but tools are what make it possible. There is no carpenter without tools. Both are essential for success, but if I had to emphasize one, focusing on instrumental thinking is more advantageous. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”