The Paradox of Selflessness: Can You Truly Live Selflessly?

Once, a teacher shared a profound wisdom that resonates with the essence of selflessness:

Pray to God that no one becomes a thief whenever the police are shown. If you see a school bus, pray that everyone will reach the school safely. If you see a poor person, pray for him and his family to be provided with food, clothing, shelter, and always. Extend your thoughts beyond your family. It is a good mental Sukarma.

Indeed, selflessness is a noble trait, often seen in empathetic and genuinely caring individuals. However, the very essence of selflessness is complex and multifaceted. It is true that people are either naturally selfless or not, with varying degrees of selflessness depending on the situation.

Selfless behavior, while commendable, can often be influenced by underlying selfish motives. For instance, if someone engages in selfless actions solely to manipulate a situation to their advantage, such behavior is not genuine and can be considered inexcusable.

It brings us to the question: Can you truly live a selfless life? In essence, the idea of a totally selfless act seems almost impossible to achieve. Even the most selfless behavior we can imagine has roots in some kind of selfishness, as it is based on personal motivations or benefits.

For example, even if you donate to charity without any expectation of reward, you might do so because you understand that such actions can improve your reputation, making you feel good about yourself. Or, you might do it to fulfill a social or personal obligation. This doesn’t mean that selflessness is inherently bad or that humanity is rotten. Instead, it demonstrates our capacity as intelligent beings to make choices that benefit ourselves or our species the most, even if they come with significant personal costs.

It’s easy to fool ourselves into believing that our actions are completely selfless. True selflessness, devoid of any hidden motives, is extremely rare. In an institutional setting, such as volunteering without pay, the selflessness might be more genuine, but even then, the expectation of future rewards can undermine the claim of selflessness.

William Blake’s quote, 'If the fool would persist in folly he would become wise,' captures this paradox. We often need to reflect on our motivations and actions to truly come to terms with our selflessness. Being selfless is a journey, not a static state, and requires constant self-awareness and introspection.

In conclusion, the pursuit of a truly selfless life is a worthy one but may remain a constant journey rather than a destination achieved. It requires us to question our motivations and actions, to be mindful of our intentions, and to strive for genuine selflessness in every possible way.

Reflecting on the essence of selflessness, how can you apply this wisdom in your daily life?