Tonight, during a discussion about spirituality. the following issue was raised. Is it legitimate to begin a path of spiritual growth for purely selfish, narcissistic reasons? Should we teach people to merely submit themselves to the Divine right away?

As I mentioned at the time of the conversation, the path we choose, while it might begin as a selfishly driven journey, should eventually become a journey for the sake of the journey. This is an aspect of the Jewish concept of Shelo Lishmah, Ba Lishmah (doing something not for its own sake will lead to doing it for its own sake). The journey should be individualized at the beginning, for everyone has a different definition of what spirituality is and what will cause that individual to grow. For some, it is intense meditation. For others, it is delving into intellectually challenging books. Any which way we go about it, the journey, which begins as a personal struggle, should hopefully continue as growth for growing's sake. I think it would be quite difficult to merely attempt to submit ourselves to G-d right away. Most people who are within the confines of the religion have enough trouble with this. How can we expect the person who begins the journey to find comfort in such a thing.

Our goal in life should be to continuously strive to improve ourselves and our world through the best means possible within the confines of society, religion and community.