Where Does The Desire To Self Sacrifice Come From?

[10 Gallon Head]

I have a clue but I was wondering what you guys input is.

[Sheps]

For an adult I think that it comes from the inner parts of the Self  that has the responsibility to remove or "Sacrifice" the things that our ego's feel it needs to have or be.

[Djehuty]

Without a doubt: religious programming!!!!!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son! Now that's the ultimate sacrifice!

[LovingLife]

You damn right that's religious programming!!!

That whole Jesus story has a lot of folks messed up when it comes to giving, self sacrifice, suffering, etc. 

Because of this, the only giving that is noble or righteous is giving to the point of personal suffering or great personal sacrifice. 

Everybody is on the idea of "think of others before thinking of yourself." This is considered noble.  I can understand doing this in CERTAIN SITUATIONS, as circumstances may warrant.  But to walk around like this in a 24/7 mindset to me is not healthy.

This is a perfect receipe to control people; get them to be so concerned with others that they neither tap into self, prioritize self, nor properly care for self.  People in this condition make better slaves and servants, because their weakened state makes them more suggestable.

Giving from a position of strengh, well-being, love, joy, and abundance (as a result of intimately knowing, prioritizing, and living oneself) is a healthier and more balanced idea who's time has come.

Peace, Love, and Blessings,

LovingLife, everyday!!!

[enlightenmeplz]

I agree with you all I do think that it from religious programming and media. I do not know how many times I have watched movies to see people self sacrificing themselves (usually a person of color and women). Even though I struggle with finding a balance with giving in my own personal life, I am realizing that I would probably self sacrifice myself only for my kids. But I think that would be for more of selfish reason. Because it would be most diffcult for me to see them suffering and doing without than for me to take one for the team. That could also be just my make-up (Virgo) as well being maternal and all.   

[Djehuty]

You damn right that's religious programming!!!

That whole Jesus story has a lot of folks messed up when it comes to giving, self sacrifice, suffering, etc. 

Because of this, the only giving that is noble or righteous is giving to the point of personal suffering or great personal sacrifice. 

Everybody is on the idea of "think of others before thinking of yourself." This is considered noble.  I can understand doing this in CERTAIN SITUATIONS, as circumstances may warrant.  But to walk around like this in a 24/7 mindset to me is not healthy.

This is a perfect receipe to control people; get them to be so concerned with others that they neither tap into self, prioritize self, nor properly care for self.  People in this condition make better slaves and servants, because their weakened state makes them more suggestable.

Giving from a position of strengh, well-being, love, joy, and abundance (as a result of intimately knowing, prioritizing, and living oneself) is a healthier and more balanced idea who's time has come.

Peace, Love, and Blessings,

LovingLife, everyday!!!

Let the church say AMEN to the foregoing words!

[Michel]

Good question and answers!  My input to chime in is that people(especially religious zealots), tend to think that after death there will be some kind of line a la shoprite where their heart will be judged based on how noble they were in their lifetime.
 Nonetheless the problem with this mentality is that how can you give to someone if you sacrifice yourself?  What will you be giving?  Sorrow, dismay, pessimism and just downright negative vibes?  I'd rather be the best I want to be and then help others by nurturing and giving words that can spark thinking that eventually manifests into actions(if the person chooses to) that can bring them to their journey to prime status.  My folks love calling themselves old folks who just living to live and see me as being complicated.  Being vegan, having opposing views to most methodologies and not going to church renders me "crazy" in their eyes yet for such a religious group to espouse godliness is an oxymoron as poverty, dis-ease, ignorance, sadness is NOT godliness but suicide.

[Source Energy]

My folks love calling themselves old folks who just living to live and see me as being complicated.  Being vegan, having opposing views to most methodologies and not going to church renders me "crazy" in their eyes yet for such a religious group to espouse godliness is an oxymoron as poverty, dis-ease, ignorance, sadness is NOT godliness but suicide.

This is so true...