Great post. Your writing echoes my thoughts almost entirely. Although you write that the actions of a selfless person are actually selflish you are in fact strictly speaking correct, however your definition is perhaps a little too rigid for our practical world.
We must always define a so called selfless act exactly that in order to bring more good will into the world. Imagine if a so called selfless act was frowned upon because it was perceived as selfish! The world would indeed be a horrible place if that was the case. I think we need to bend the rules a little here, don't you?
I'm glad you bring up these great points @kimwainwright
Thank you. As far as the hard push toward the language of selfishness, yes it is rigid, and maybe someone could say that I'm rambling on about a word choice.....
However, it seems to me, what we refer to as selfishness is akin to a "program" that is being misused because of divisions that we are placing on the totality of our experience and relationship with our surroundings.
I think in some ways, starting from the acceptance of selfishness builds what might be a better framework for inclusion. We protect ours fiercely. Maybe there is a better way to present that and paint the same picture.
The main goal is to move from looking out for ourselves, like we start out doing, and continue to expand our sphere of self until we are effortlessly looking out for the well being of others using the "coding" already running the program "selfishness" so to speak.
Yes @kimwainwright the intention is not to label good acts in a negative manner. I would be interested to read what you might add to that. Thank you for getting involved in the conversation! :)