How to Overcome Internal Selfishness?translated

Reader's Question:

How to overcome internal selfishness?

Kyrillos

Father's Response:

May God bless you!

Is there such a thing as a good egoism? Christian egoism is to begin with self-correction, and only by saving oneself can one save others.

Getting rid of egoism is not something that can be done in a moment—it is a long and arduous path. The fact that you have discovered it in yourself and have asked how to overcome it is already the first step in this direction.

Try to look around and start noticing others' problems, their feelings, and their desires. Cultivate the habit of constantly observing the needs and moods of those around you. Ask yourself: how can I be useful to them?

Accept discomfort. Egoism loves comfort and avoids tension. Start small: refuse something for the sake of another. This is needed to learn to give with positive emotions. The Venerable Dorotheos said, "Nothing is more beneficial to people than the cutting off of one's will, and truly one makes more progress from this than from any other virtue."

Pray for those around you constantly. For friends, for relatives, but most importantly, for your enemies. Prayer…