Post by Kai'Sigth on Jun 8, 2010 7:51:13 GMT -6
This is an exerpt (a rather lengthy one) from something I have been writing (or trying to get around to writing) for some time
This is all clearly from the perspective of a Modern/LaVeyan Satanist and has no influence from my current paradigm within the Cult.
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At times it baffles me how little self-respect and acceptance people seem to have for themselves in this day and age. This tabloid culture of physical perfection has gone out of control. We have young girls and boys growing up disgusted with themselves because they are too fat, too tall, too thin, or too ugly and just because they don't look like Jane or Johnny Perfect on the cover of the magazine they read.
People have become obsessed with every tiny imperfection that they bear simply because Hollywood and the mass media say we aren't pretty enough to hang with the “cool kids”. It's tiring, this sick disease of self-hate that seems infect the minds of our young.
These self-loathing youth grow-up to become stuck with the same idea of imperfection for the rest of their lives and are never good enough for anyone, not even themselves. When the truth is they are perfectly attractive and likable individuals and the only thing that stops them from finding happiness with others is the fact that the feel uncomfortable with themselves and it shows through, ever so apparent, via words and actions. How can someone else love you if you can't even accept yourself?
If you are unhappy with how you look then change it so you can take pride in yourself. If you feel you are too overweight then diet and exercise and work hard to meet your desired weight. In this day and age, for the right price we can alter almost anything about our appearance.
The endless barrage of weight loss commercials and infomercials regarding new-fangled exercise equipment is insane. Have we really all become this obsessed with physical perfection for all the wrong reasons? The only reason you should worry about how you look is if you, yourself and only yourself cannot accept it. Don't let the thoughts and opinions of others ever effect how you feel about yourself. Never conform or bend to the desire of others, do so only as you, the Satanist, see fit! Yes, I know, it is easier said then done but with the desired Will you can achieve nearly anything.
If you are unhappy with how you look then change it so you can take pride in yourself. If you feel you are too overweight then diet and exercise and work hard to meet your desired weight. In this day and age, for the right price we can alter almost anything about our appearance. Do so only if you wish so.
I have met a few Satanists in my time who showed no pride in themselves what-so-ever. I myself at times was unhappy with who I was, and I lost faith in myself. How can a Satanist be a person who has no faith in themselves? They simply cannot. As a Satanist you are your own god, your own devil, your own personal “Lord and Saviour” and to dislike who you are as an individual you are not only contradicting yourself but completely uprooting the basic principles of Modern Satanism.
Pride is an important part, as many of the sins are, of the foundation of what being a Satanist is. Take pride in who you are and what you have and can accomplish and walk with your head held high among the masses. Have dignity and honor for yourself and only do as you wish.
Pride can come from a multitude of things in one's life. Pride of accomplishment, Pride of appearance, Pride of satisfaction with who you are as an individual. All of these are often needed together to truly uplift a person, and are key tenants of what it is to be a Modern Satanist. If you aren't proud of who you are you aren't in my opinion living up to the definition of a Satanist.
Besides the obsession we all tend to carry with physical perfection there is perhaps a greater problem which relates to who we are as individuals: The problem of self-deceit and self-denial. Many of us have aspects or characteristics about ourselves that we repress and bury deep within our minds hoping they will never arise again.
The swiss psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Gustav Jung called this the Shadow aspect. Jung believed that all that which is repressed, denied, unfulfilled and unconscious to be out Shadow aspect. These repressed characteristics in ourselves tend to manifest in what we often see wrong or bothersome in others. Now, I am not talking about an annoying loud mouth or someone who is rude, I mean that person that just seems to irritate you beyond all belief, that you can't stand to be around for even a minute. Chances are that you are seeing part of your Shadow aspect! These qualities that you hate and despise in this individual are very well your own, but operate outside of your awareness deep within the Shadow.
All that we deny within ourselves and fail to acknowledge we project on to other people. Again, those who we project on are often the one's who bother us the most. We unconsciously react to characteristics we see in them with anger and disgust.
For example, and this is one of my favorites, homophobia! I and many others believe that the exhibit of extreme homophobic behavior is often the result of sexual insecurity and uncertainty within the exhibitor's own mind. In some manner, it is clearly obvious to others but usually not the person who is expressing such behavior.
A person with such a problem may exhibit many types of behavior. This person will usually and continuously openly “gay bash” to a point where it almost seems like an unhealthy fixation. They will tend to relate the problems with society back to homosexuals. The always are often uncomfortable with any kind of same sex contact from a simple note of appreciation such as a hug to a prolonged handshake. They usually maintain a great degree of physical distance from anyone of the same sex.
These individuals will also express extreme behavior towards the opposite sex. They will often and openly make crude comments, jokes, and actions towards or about the opposite sex. This is often done to such a point where it will become irritating to others around them and usually result in a negative opinion from any well-mannered and mature individual. It is important to mention that this type of behavior alone does not constitute a latent homosexual desire. They simply could just be a male chauvinist!
Unless you know this person very well, it is best that you do not approach the individual about this problem. The exhibitor will often become very angry with you and depending on the individual can act in a whole manner of different ways from simply walking away angrily to exhibiting physical violence.
It is people like this that are truly deceiving themselves and have yet to accept who they really are as individuals. Sadly, many never truly face their true selves and continue on through their entire lives while living a lie. They fail to accept themselves as they truly are either out of fear and willful ignorance. These self-denying individuals often let social opinions and standards dictate their way of life and personal freedom.
Denying your true self and repressing your unwanted aspects is no way to live and one cannot truly accept themselves without truly being themselves! Behavior of this sort while only lead to continued self-denial and satisfaction and pride will become hard to find.
The path to self-acceptance and pride can vary in difficulty and approach depending on the individual involved. For many it isn't easy to cast aside the ludicrous notions and unrealistic standards that society has imprinted upon our psyche. Sometimes it takes many years of continued work and change of thought to successfully be proud of who you are. Others never truly accept who they are and fall short or regress back to the ridiculous social standards.
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Hope you enjoyed it. Would love to converse further on this subject. When I complete more I will post it. Originally I was going to add "12 steps to self-acceptance" but now I am thinking and revising that idea.. perhaps "12 steps of individuality" or something along those lines.
AWAKE!
This is all clearly from the perspective of a Modern/LaVeyan Satanist and has no influence from my current paradigm within the Cult.
---------------
At times it baffles me how little self-respect and acceptance people seem to have for themselves in this day and age. This tabloid culture of physical perfection has gone out of control. We have young girls and boys growing up disgusted with themselves because they are too fat, too tall, too thin, or too ugly and just because they don't look like Jane or Johnny Perfect on the cover of the magazine they read.
People have become obsessed with every tiny imperfection that they bear simply because Hollywood and the mass media say we aren't pretty enough to hang with the “cool kids”. It's tiring, this sick disease of self-hate that seems infect the minds of our young.
These self-loathing youth grow-up to become stuck with the same idea of imperfection for the rest of their lives and are never good enough for anyone, not even themselves. When the truth is they are perfectly attractive and likable individuals and the only thing that stops them from finding happiness with others is the fact that the feel uncomfortable with themselves and it shows through, ever so apparent, via words and actions. How can someone else love you if you can't even accept yourself?
If you are unhappy with how you look then change it so you can take pride in yourself. If you feel you are too overweight then diet and exercise and work hard to meet your desired weight. In this day and age, for the right price we can alter almost anything about our appearance.
The endless barrage of weight loss commercials and infomercials regarding new-fangled exercise equipment is insane. Have we really all become this obsessed with physical perfection for all the wrong reasons? The only reason you should worry about how you look is if you, yourself and only yourself cannot accept it. Don't let the thoughts and opinions of others ever effect how you feel about yourself. Never conform or bend to the desire of others, do so only as you, the Satanist, see fit! Yes, I know, it is easier said then done but with the desired Will you can achieve nearly anything.
If you are unhappy with how you look then change it so you can take pride in yourself. If you feel you are too overweight then diet and exercise and work hard to meet your desired weight. In this day and age, for the right price we can alter almost anything about our appearance. Do so only if you wish so.
I have met a few Satanists in my time who showed no pride in themselves what-so-ever. I myself at times was unhappy with who I was, and I lost faith in myself. How can a Satanist be a person who has no faith in themselves? They simply cannot. As a Satanist you are your own god, your own devil, your own personal “Lord and Saviour” and to dislike who you are as an individual you are not only contradicting yourself but completely uprooting the basic principles of Modern Satanism.
Pride is an important part, as many of the sins are, of the foundation of what being a Satanist is. Take pride in who you are and what you have and can accomplish and walk with your head held high among the masses. Have dignity and honor for yourself and only do as you wish.
Pride can come from a multitude of things in one's life. Pride of accomplishment, Pride of appearance, Pride of satisfaction with who you are as an individual. All of these are often needed together to truly uplift a person, and are key tenants of what it is to be a Modern Satanist. If you aren't proud of who you are you aren't in my opinion living up to the definition of a Satanist.
Besides the obsession we all tend to carry with physical perfection there is perhaps a greater problem which relates to who we are as individuals: The problem of self-deceit and self-denial. Many of us have aspects or characteristics about ourselves that we repress and bury deep within our minds hoping they will never arise again.
The swiss psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Gustav Jung called this the Shadow aspect. Jung believed that all that which is repressed, denied, unfulfilled and unconscious to be out Shadow aspect. These repressed characteristics in ourselves tend to manifest in what we often see wrong or bothersome in others. Now, I am not talking about an annoying loud mouth or someone who is rude, I mean that person that just seems to irritate you beyond all belief, that you can't stand to be around for even a minute. Chances are that you are seeing part of your Shadow aspect! These qualities that you hate and despise in this individual are very well your own, but operate outside of your awareness deep within the Shadow.
All that we deny within ourselves and fail to acknowledge we project on to other people. Again, those who we project on are often the one's who bother us the most. We unconsciously react to characteristics we see in them with anger and disgust.
For example, and this is one of my favorites, homophobia! I and many others believe that the exhibit of extreme homophobic behavior is often the result of sexual insecurity and uncertainty within the exhibitor's own mind. In some manner, it is clearly obvious to others but usually not the person who is expressing such behavior.
A person with such a problem may exhibit many types of behavior. This person will usually and continuously openly “gay bash” to a point where it almost seems like an unhealthy fixation. They will tend to relate the problems with society back to homosexuals. The always are often uncomfortable with any kind of same sex contact from a simple note of appreciation such as a hug to a prolonged handshake. They usually maintain a great degree of physical distance from anyone of the same sex.
These individuals will also express extreme behavior towards the opposite sex. They will often and openly make crude comments, jokes, and actions towards or about the opposite sex. This is often done to such a point where it will become irritating to others around them and usually result in a negative opinion from any well-mannered and mature individual. It is important to mention that this type of behavior alone does not constitute a latent homosexual desire. They simply could just be a male chauvinist!
Unless you know this person very well, it is best that you do not approach the individual about this problem. The exhibitor will often become very angry with you and depending on the individual can act in a whole manner of different ways from simply walking away angrily to exhibiting physical violence.
It is people like this that are truly deceiving themselves and have yet to accept who they really are as individuals. Sadly, many never truly face their true selves and continue on through their entire lives while living a lie. They fail to accept themselves as they truly are either out of fear and willful ignorance. These self-denying individuals often let social opinions and standards dictate their way of life and personal freedom.
Denying your true self and repressing your unwanted aspects is no way to live and one cannot truly accept themselves without truly being themselves! Behavior of this sort while only lead to continued self-denial and satisfaction and pride will become hard to find.
The path to self-acceptance and pride can vary in difficulty and approach depending on the individual involved. For many it isn't easy to cast aside the ludicrous notions and unrealistic standards that society has imprinted upon our psyche. Sometimes it takes many years of continued work and change of thought to successfully be proud of who you are. Others never truly accept who they are and fall short or regress back to the ridiculous social standards.
---
Hope you enjoyed it. Would love to converse further on this subject. When I complete more I will post it. Originally I was going to add "12 steps to self-acceptance" but now I am thinking and revising that idea.. perhaps "12 steps of individuality" or something along those lines.
AWAKE!
