Son, listen with attentive mind, for what I tell you is not merely teaching, but a mirror for the soul. Egoism is not just one passion among others, but an illness of the heart, a wounding of the image of God in man. It does not always reveal itself through great gestures, but through small, barely perceptible movements: a thought of “I deserve this”, an irritation when you are not praised, an escape from responsibility, a closing in upon yourself.
How Egoism Is Born — the Hidden Root
Pride is the mother of egoism, the desire to be at the center of the world, and fear is its father, the fear that if you do not defend yourself, you will be hurt. Wounds of the soul are the soil in which it grows — rejection, lack of affection, distrust. Disordered self‑love is its food: man loves himself not as an icon of God, but as an idol. Psychology calls it a “defense mechanism.” Philosophy calls it “the illusion of the self.” The Church sees it as a blindness of the heart.
How Egoism Works Within the Soul
Egoism is cunning; it does not come as a tyrant but as a friend. It whispers: “You are right.” It tells you: “You deserve more.” It urges you: “Do not humble yourself, or you will be trampled.” It promises: “If you put yourself first, you will be happy.”
But in reality, it weakens relationships, darkens the mind, hardens the heart, and separates man from God.
In psychology, egoism appears as narcissism, hypersensitivity to criticism, the need for validation, difficulty with empathy. In philosophy, it is seen as a closing in on oneself, the loss of the ability to see reality beyond one’s own ego. In spiritual life, egoism is the death of love.
Why the Modern Man Suffers More from Egoism
Because he lives in a world that tells him: “Be the center of the universe,” “You are entitled to everything,” “Your happiness is more important than anything,” “Do not sacrifice yourself for anyone.” Modern man is taught to love himself, but not taught how, and so he ends up loving himself wrongly — possessively, anxiously, defensively — and thus egoism becomes the idol of our generation.
Renouncing Egoism — the Orthodox, Psychological, and Philosophical Path
Spiritual – Humility — not humiliation, but truth;
Prayer — opening the heart to someone other than oneself; Confession — bringing egoism into the light;
Obedience — breaking the tyranny of one’s own will.
Psychological – Becoming aware of defense mechanisms, accepting vulnerability, practicing empathy, correcting egocentric thoughts.
Philosophical – Understanding that the self is not the center of reality, accepting one’s limits, seeking meaning beyond oneself.
How Renunciation Feels in Daily Life
You no longer need to be right all the time.
You can say “forgive me” without feeling you lose something. You can rejoice in another’s good.
You can remain silent when the ego wants to shout.
And you can love without demanding anything in return. Only then does egoism begin to die, and in its place the true man is born.
Son, egoism is the most subtle form of blindness, for man does not see that he does not see. But when healing begins, light enters the heart like dawn in the desert. Do not fear the struggle with yourself, for you are not alone: God heals not only the soul, but also the mind, the body, and the psyche, and even relationships. Egoism is an illness, but humility is the medicine, and love is the complete healing.
Pustia Inimii 