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Character building. Why it may not be the right thing for long term happiness.
The mind is sandwiched between the voice of conscience on the inside, and the world outside. When one aspect of our being is living by the conscience and the other living for the world, it can become a source of friction in the mind. This is not sustainable in the long run, and the choice becomes one or the other. From the standpoint of the mind, the voice of conscience is dull and boring. However, the truth that it conveys is very consistent, but it may lack the variety that the world offers. When the mind is not steady, it prefers the range offered by the world. To enjoy this variety, we create an artificial persona. It is another form of the ego. When the ego is polished and conforms to certain norms, it becomes our character. It is always outward facing, towards the world.
When the ego is polished and conforms to certain norms, it becomes our character. It is always outward facing, towards the world.
The role of character in our lives
The character we cultivate is like a protective barrier. It is easy to hide behind a carefully cultivated persona. The world sees the finished product, our character, but only we know the true nature of the raw ego which lurks within. There…
