I am Evil

[joeyi99]

Leo mentioned that during his break he had an epiphany he is evil and him being good was just a fantasy.

I understand that we are limited beings trying to survive and thereby commit evil actions to preserve ourselves. But aren’t we falling into the trap of morality by judging ourselves as evil?  Leo has spoken about absolute Goodness. Is that what we should be striving for?

It gets confusing when we realize morality is a construct but then use good vs evil terminology in this work — tough to reconcile.

Edited May 25, 2024 by joeyi99

[LambdaDelta]

I guess it's one of those fine distinctions between relative and absolute truth, gotta read the context to understand which one's being spoken about. Which ties in with the limited dualistic nature of language and that entire tangent.

Pursuing Absolute Goodness can easily be turned into another should, part of a spiritual ego. It sounds great, and it is, but on the other hand nowhere is it written that it's how humans should aim to be. God allows us the radical freedom of being evil, and doesn't judge anyone for it. In my understanding Absolute Goodness transcends and includes evil.

Anyhoo this is tricky terrain, in the end the best we can do is act in accordance with our authentic values and integrity.

[joeyi99]

I think he was referring to the relative domain. Leo’s attitude seemed almost as if we are all completely delusional about being good. Came across discouraging.

Edited May 25, 2024 by joeyi99

[James123]

3 hours ago, joeyi99 said:

Leo mentioned that during his break he had an epiphany he is evil and him being good was just a fantasy.

I understand that we are limited beings trying to survive and thereby commit evil actions to preserve ourselves. But aren’t we falling into the trap of morality by judging ourselves as evil?  Leo has spoken about absolute Goodness. Is that what we should be striving for?

It gets confusing when we realize morality is a construct but then use good vs evil terminology in this work — tough to reconcile.

Ego = Evil = Me'ness.

Real Self = God = Love. 

[Leo Gura]

I explained this in my classic video: What Is The Devil.

But I want to make another video on this topic.

The key is to catch yourself creating a fantasy of you being the good guy in life. It's a very powerful and trappy fantasy that almost everyone falls into, including me.

Yes, it is discouraging to realize you aren't the good guy you thought you were. But recognition of your own devilry is what makes you good.

Edited May 26, 2024 by Leo Gura

[LordFall]

Same

[Hojo]

In this video sadhguru tells the story about a man who was perfect and he went to heaven and the angels tell him there is no heaven for perfect people as its never happened before so there was no reason to make one and if he wants to go to a heaven he has to commit a bad deed.

[Basman]

Evil = selfish

[Ryan M]

6 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

I explained this in my classic video: What Is The Devil.

But I want to make another video on this topic.

The key is to catch yourself creating a fantasy of you being the good guy in life. It's a very powerful and trappy fantasy that almost everyone falls into, including me.

Yes, it is discouraging to realize you aren't the good guy you thought you were. But recognition of your own devilry is what makes you good.

Is there anything we could do to be less of a devil? And does this imply that we should feel guilty? (even if we are doing our best to do good)

Edit: Just read your last sentence but the question of guilt remains

Edited May 26, 2024 by Ryan M

[Leo Gura]

14 minutes ago, Ryan M said:

Is there anything we could do to be less of a devil?

Of course.

Most importantly, commit to the pursuit of truth.

14 minutes ago, Ryan M said:

Edit: Just read your last sentence but the question of guilt remains

Recognize that making mistakes is how you grow. What matters is not the past mistakes but who you will become thanks to them in the future.