The document discusses how to achieve "maximal selfishness and happiness". It argues that true selfishness is a virtue, not a vice, and when evolved properly becomes "cosmic selfishness" that makes both oneself and others very happy. It says true selfishness is natural and inseparable from the self. In contrast, "mean selfishness" and "mean selflessness" arise from the ego and create conflict and misery. The document recommends overcoming the ego through "NAMSMARAN" meditation to dissolve the petty self and allow one to choose enlightened activities that provide maximum lifelong happiness for both oneself and millions of others.
3. Being maximally selfish is one of the
greatest virtues! But this virtue is
equated with and misunderstood as
mean or petty selfishness by most
people and hence, they consider it as
vice!
However; “being maximally selfish
and maximally happy” makes
millions of others also very happy
and is practiced by many (though
mostly; without conceptual clarity
4. and conviction) and hence without
articulating it in this manner!
Selfishness is inseparable from
yourself! It is natural and a great
virtue. Selfishness evolves into cosmic
selfishness and becomes maximally
satisfying as it evolves!
An infant is selfish (very happy) in
suckling and a mother is selfish (very
happy) in breast feeding! Neither of
them is mean-selfish and or mean-
selfless!
5. But as you grow there develops a
tussle between mean-selfishness and
mean-selflessness due to growing ego!
When the words selfishness and
selflessness are used; they actually
imply; ego-born mean-selfishness or
ego-born petty-selflessness
respectively!
This conflict creates a misery; both
due to ego-born mean selfishness and
ego-born mean selflessness! In neither
of the acts you become happy! Tally
your experience of the feeling of
being cheated by ego-born gifting of
6. donations and the feeling of guilt for
not having given a donation! Assess
your feeling of being ill treated; after
your ego-born teaching or treating
free of cost; and your sense lowliness
for your ego-based denial of your
services to the needy!
Most of the times even if others
consider you selfish or selfless; and
you may either dislike or like it; you
are actually not maximally selfish or
selfless! You are a foolish person;
getting dragged after ego-born
compulsions! As a result you remain
7. a temporarily and superficially
satisfied or unsatisfied “rich” or
“poor”; but always a beggar!
But this conflict is not easy to
overcome!
So you need to set out to evolve your
mean-selfishness and also evolve
petty-selflessness! If you succeed in
this, through NAMSMARAN, then
later; your petty self dissolves! And
you learn to choose an activity (born
out of enlightenment) that gives you
maximum happiness (maximum
8. selfishness) that can fill not merely
yours but also the hearts of millions
and can last for life time!
Learning to overcome incorrect or
deceitful compulsions; and expressing
cosmic selfishness makes you and
billon others; maximally happy!
Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
