Who have you deceived the most, yourself or others?

Question

Namaste

Peace and Love

And why do you believe this is a dogmatic question? It's more of a psych question. Why are you here?

Leal's answer:
"But to actually answer it, I think we all deceive ourselves the most. We always think our nature is other than it actually is, and we often refuse to really look at ourselves in the cold clear light of reality.

I often wonder if the true path isn't the path to really seeing and accepting oneself. "

It is the true path. That's why the question.

Answer 1

Myself. But, only 3 days a week.

Answer 2

This seems sorta like one of those trick questions like:

"Do you still beat your wife?"

But to actually answer it, I think we all deceive ourselves the most. We always think our nature is other than it actually is, and we often refuse to really look at ourselves in the cold clear light of reality.

I often wonder if the true path isn't the path to really seeing and accepting oneself.

Answer 3

Ok - so you are buddhist?

Ask yourself - what good can come of a dogmatic question like this?

But to answer - I hope that any deceptions that I have been a part of are only instances of temporary ignorance that can be healed by compassion and understanding.
I also think that people need to take time (especially us Buddhists) to forgive ourselves when we have been self-deceptive... That's one of the benefits of Christian religions is the mainstay of being able to confess sin and be forgiven...
Sometimes we forget to use the process ourselves.

Forgiveness is healing and compassion in action - whether it is toward another person or directed inward.

Answer 4

I've deceived others the most.

In the past when I had moments of feeling very fragile I showed the " face " to others that I was much stronger than I actually was. Those moments were when I was experiencing an unhealthy marriage...the divorce...and the healing after the divorce (four years ago).

Today I'm of strength, confidence, happy, peacefully reclaimed heart...I've since found myself again...Yet, those years during my marriage and divorce...others didn't know how fragile I was. I lived the ' deceit ' as a cover for my children and others who were not understanding.

When a person holds tightly onto that tiny seed of Light within during those dark experiences in life...It's stunning and amazing how BRIGHT that once tiny seed of Light can grow to.

" Surround your self with those who'll help you achieve your goals ". I looked within...held fast to that faith...I shared with the few who understood and guided me to strength. It was Light in action. Precious.
.
.

Answer 5

Why is it so difficult to see ourselves as clearly as we see others? As Burns said:

"O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us
To see ourselves as others see us"

If only it were that simple!
.

Answer 6

I can't deceive myself. I always know when I'm trying to fudge the facts.

Answer 7

I'm not sure. I would say others, because so many people think I'm great, but I'm sure I'm not. But then, they might say I deceive myself most, because I keep lying when I say I'm horrible.

Answer 8

With all respect, careful Digi', you gave the answer in the question.

Answer 9

We are all 3 people:
What we think we are,
what others think we are,
and what we really are.