Beyond the Self – Balancing Self-Development with Care for Others and Nature

I recently stumbled upon a quote by bell hooks that goes: "I am often struck by the dangerous narcissism fostered by spiritual rhetoric that pays so much attention to individual self-improvement and so little to the practice of love within the context of community."

I think this quote summarises the root cause of many major problems in our society and is also present in the mainstream spiritual narrative.

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The Integral Link Between Individual and Communal Wellbeing

Ancient philosophies and practices, such as Yoga, have provided guidelines for a harmonious life both for individuals and communities, recognising the intertwined nature of these two. These ideologies share a common understanding: our personal wellbeing is deeply connected to communal wellbeing and also that of our surrounding environment.

Self-development is very trendy right now and it's beautiful that people are doing this work, but when healing is just about developing oneself for personal gain, we miss something crucial.

This idea reflects a more natural human existence, similar to that of past centuries, when people in smaller communities, villages, would care for each other in a different way than we do now. There was more exchange not based on currency and more communal support, where helping each other was customary without expectations of getting something back in return. When you think about it, this approach to living seems more aligned with our inherent nature.

Individualism encourages Self-Development that focuses on the self

However, the past few centuries, particularly the last one, have marked a significant deviation from this communal way of living. Modern society pushes individualistic values on us and we start to adopt this lifestyle. We often live in isolated family units or alone, disconnected from our neighbours and indifferent to their lives. This culture discourages us from offering or seeking help, driven by a reluctance to be a burden or to owe favours. Our empathy doesn't extend globally – we often remain unaffected by distant suffering or environmental degradation, focusing predominantly on personal wellbeing and self-betterment.

Healing shouldn't happen from an individualistic place – but from a place of cultivating empathy for yourself and others, treating nature as a precious gift and understanding your own priviledge in our society.

This shift towards extreme individualism is dangerous. It takes us to a place where we forget that we were made to live in a community. We forget that when we take care of the natural environment around us, it in turn supports us and takes care of us. 

What can we learn from Yoga to challenge individualism?

The emphasis on self-improvement for personal gain and neglecting community care, is a reflection of the capitalistic values present in our society. The emphasis on personal wealth, property ownership, and self-reliance leads us to overlook the importance of a sense of community, selflessness, and environmental preservation. In this context, self-development becomes the sole focus, overshadowing the practice of communal living and care.

The practice of Yoga, in its fullest sense, challenges this narrative by advocating for a balanced approach to life that honours both personal growth and the collective good. This approach challenges the capitalistic emphasis on individual gain, highlighting the importance of collective good and environmental responsibility.

Mindset shifts you can make to embrace these ideals: 

1. Embrace Interdependence: Recognize and internalize that your wellbeing is linked to the wellbeing of others and the environment. Share resources in your community, help neighbours out, offer childcare and embrace a sense of mutual support. 

2. Cultivate Compassionate Interaction: Adopt a mindset that views compassion as a core life principle. Consider the impact of your actions on others and strive to understand different perspectives especially from marginalized groups within your community. 

3. Prioritise Sustainability: Understand sustainability not just as a set of small actions but as a lifestyle, that respects the natural world. And from that place, see what changes you can make in your life to live according to these principles. 

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Want to read more about how Yoga aligns with social justice and environmental consciousness? Keep reading with this blog: Tools from the Yoga tradition can Save Us and Our Planet.