On Self-Love, Love for Others, and Meaning

One must have a firm 

spiritual and ethical system of values 

and a firmly developed, 

abiding identity making the 

individual capable of 

self-love and self-compassion 

before one can feel that level of compassion 

that leads to empathy 

(compassion and deep understanding of the emotional state of others). 

But arriving at necessary self-love is not sufficient: 

 

That which gives life meaning is the ability to live for the benefit of others.

 

The ability to strive for the Perfect of necessity leads to action for the benefit of others, consciously, consistently, and courageously pursued.

 

Striving for the Perfect

 

is to strive for an identity with

 

Divinity, Ultimate Truth, the Good---

 

to seek synch with the Dao; 

 

the Perfect implies Universal Love,

 

an earthly sojourn lived according to one’s highest morality;

 

the ethical development of one’s own identity and best interests,

 

leads to Life

 

lived for others,

 

the definition of

 

Meaning.