Are We Really Selfless?

The paradox of humility and vanity in our pursuit of virtue

Issue #14:

Good day and welcome back to The Zen Journal. Today, we’re diving into a concept that has been a frequent topic of reflection: Vanity.

“The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is endless”

Vanity of the Selfless

You know, it's interesting how pride shows up in the most unexpected places, even in people who seem the most humble.

We often praise humility as a great virtue, but even the most humble can have this hidden sense of self-importance.

The more we try to be selfless, the more we might be inflating our own sense of superiority without even realizing it.

It's a paradox we all need to keep in mind.

Virtue Signaling and Humility

It seems like today, everyone’s trying to show how virtuous or enlightened they are.

Virtue signaling has become almost like a social currency.

But here’s the thing, we all have that tendency, myself included, even in something as simple as writing this newsletter.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, nor do I think the world would be better if everyone agreed with me.

I wrote this to remind myself of my own limitations. If it helps you, great. If not, that’s okay too.

The Theme of Humility

This month, we’re talking about humility.

And to understand humility, we need to look at its opposite, vanity.

It’s easy to slip into a mindset where we expect recognition for our “good deeds” or to be seen as virtuous. But true humility is about acting without needing praise or validation from others.

I’m writing this newsletter for anyone who might find it useful. Whether you’re a family member, a friend, or just someone who stumbled upon this.

If it proves to be useful, I’ll be grateful. But I try not to burden myself with expectations.

Not everything will resonate with everyone, and that’s completely fine.

Humility vs. Vanity: The Lesson of the Pencil

To understand humility better, think about the essay I, Pencil by Leonard Reed.

In this brilliant essay, Reed shows how no single person possesses all the skills necessary to make something as simple as a pencil.

From mining the graphite and tin for the eraser to crafting the wood and applying the paint, the pencil is the result of many hands, each contributing expertise in different areas.

If we can’t even create something as simple as a pencil on our own, how can we possibly believe we have the knowledge to manage others’ lives or control society as a whole?

It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how much we think we know, we must approach life with humility.

We don’t have all the answers, and that's okay.

Embrace Humility, Avoid Vanity

In the end, the lesson is clear, embrace humility. Recognize that our understanding is limited, and avoid the trap of vanity that makes us think we have all the answers.

Society is a complex web of interconnected parts, and we’re just one small part of it.

We don’t need to control everything.

What we need is to remain grounded, open to learning, and be open to growth.

---

Takeaway

Humility is the antidote to vanity. It’s about recognizing our limits, understanding that we don’t have all the answers, and not letting our egos get in the way of our growth.

I look forward to continuing this journey with you. Please feel free to share your thoughts, reflections, or questions as I dive deeper into these teachings. And maybe even subscribe?

---