Pride - a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

Righteous - 1. characterized by uprightness or morality; a righteous observance of the law. 2. morally right or justifiable; righteous indignation. 3. acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous; a righteous person.

Self-Righteous - confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.

(The three definitions above are quoted from dictionary.com.)

I have visited two of the seven deadly sins this week; pride and anger. I believe these two human traits (collectively or individually) can encourage one to step across the line from righteousness to self-righteousness. It is a short step. I have utilized discipline and determination to ignore their pleadings. I believe I have been at least moderately successful.

I believe this is often true of human failings - it is not the weakness or the initial shortcoming; it is where that leads us. One must beware of being led deep into a labyrinth of compounded failings when imperfection first appears. When problem-solving with empathy and respect, I believe it is important to dig deep, asking "Why?" numerous times to get at the root or 'first cause' of a problem or challenge. But when a personal flaw or negative emotion appears, I believe it is important to recognize it as such, step back, objectively assess, and avoid compounding the issue with defensiveness or other all-to-human mistakes that may masquerade as problem-solving. Once inside the labyrinth, it is easy to get lost.

Truthfulness is uncomfortable; often for both the party sharing their perception, and for the party (or parties) processing the information in order to determine relevance and verity. It is easy to dismiss another's truthfulness thus lessening the discomfort. Pride and self-righteousness encourage rejection. Choosing to cast aside or ignore another's truthfulness does not disable its validity; and additionally it leads us deeper into the labyrinth.

Consideration is both thoughtful deliberation and empathetic regard and respect. I believe consideration must first be given before it can be received; if one does not offer consideration, one is not open/receptive to consideration. This is at times a difficult principle for me.

The second formulation of Kant's Categorical Imperative - "Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end."

Pride, Anger, and the other five deadly sins (as a starting point) are a means to satisfy base desires. When they appear (which they will), one must transcend the empirical in order to reach a moral, righteous end filled with Goodness.

Two Latin phrases widely quoted during the 17th century Baroque Period:

1. Carpe diem - Seize the day.
2. Memento mori - Remember that you must die.

Buddha to his followers just before he died - "Decay is inherent in all compound things. Work out your own salvation with diligence."

These references to death and decay (for me) encourage humility and facilitate the inner peace that comes from living 'harsh reality' and 'inner transcendence' united as one; and this in turn has the potential to lead one towards personal salvation. (See these two previous posts for further insight - 'Irrelevant Happiness' and 'Illusory Happiness'.)

"There are two kinds of truths. There are the superficial truths, the opposite of which are obviously wrong. But there are also the profound truths, whose opposites are equally right." -Niels Bohr; Danish physicist; 1885-1962.

This week I have discovered that in some instances 'one should not have to' but regardless, 'one should'.

Another Latin phrase; this one from sometime in the Middle Ages:

• Credo quia absurdum - I believe because it is irrational.

Spirituality from inner transcendence is, in many ways, irrational; and though I have approached it with reason in previous posts, much of its apprehension remains beyond words or rational thought.