Quote:
Originally Posted by Apollo Kid  So why put these things into dualisms? Serve all, serve one. Ultimately they are one in the same. At least this is what Steve has claimed in other blog postings... |
This may be a false dichotomy on an intellectual level, but does that mean it is not useful on an emotional level? One of my biggest hurdles in life is getting motivated. I now realize that so many times it has been primarily a matter of not fearing what others expect me to fear. Fear energy, competition, self-interest, etc. is next to useless for me with my present mindset. If I want to do something and have the drive to follow through on it, it has to be because I feel it will bring about the greater good. Thoughts that feel too selfish or fearful drain me and make me want to procrastinate.
Another thing is I think you can have a love-motivated STS, or a fear-motivated STO. In fact, our society encourages this. If you don't take care of yourself, others who love you will feel pity. Therefore, love can motivate us to take care of ourselves so that others won't feel bad. And if you act too selfish, others will despise you. Therefore, self-interest can motivate us to be kind to others.
Perhaps there is a state of enlightened greyness where you utilize both motivations in equal proportion. Enlightened dark or light would also lead to a good balance of STS/STO, however, because both can and will be rationalized from either motive by an intelligent person.