I am so not sure how where to put this. Moderator, please feel free to move to a more appropriate forum.
Christianity - especially Orthodoxy takes the cake when it comes to understanding fully the depth of dying to self, killing the will/ego. . .
talking to other Christians from either the Protestant or RC background - there maybe be some hint of understanding somewhere that can be built on. . . but how would you (I REALLY hope that some of the Priests here will please give some very sound responses.) even attempt to broaden/correct/discuss this issue with someone who defines dying to self as . . . another perhaps washed down form of . . . narcissism? I'm finding this in Paganism and a lot of New Age thinking. . .Buddhism. . .
I seem to be surrounded lately. . . :-/
I'm at a loss. . . and maybe that's good, because then I can't in any way take any credit for actually making sense in truth. . .only He can.
How is dying to self a form a narcissism? If I'm understanding you correctly, Protestant or RC friends are having trouble with the Orthodox understanding of this because it seems vaguely Buddhist or something? - in that case, I would refer them especially to the writings of St. Paul.
From my understanding, 'self' cannot be a form of narcissism. . .but this definition that I'm hearing is so . . . different from anything I have ever heard in any Christian setting.
It's more of a balance thing and an 'inner truth' third eye . . . see what is true, but you can't see what is true unless you do what is true for you. . . .
so if it is true that you 'should be traveling' then leaving your child is . . .the right thing to do. If that's what your gut says.
Please forgive, I'm really in over my head, here. I was blown by the description, completely.
