Know Thyself…

This is what remains of the ancient temple at Delphi in Greece, former home of the famous oracle. Imagine the portico that once stood at the top of the steps. Legend has it that above the door was inscribed the following:

γνῶθι σεαυτόν

gnothi seauton

Know Thyself

This was essential, life-or-death advice for those seeking advice or fortune from the Oracle. Her pronouncements tended to be vague and metaphorical and easily misinterpreted if one did not know their own mind/soul very well. The myths are full of tales of the hubristic downfalls of would-be heroes and conquerors who heard assurances of self-entitled victory within the Oracle’s dire warnings of failure. Know thyself, indeed.

Most of us are not setting off on epic adventures destined for timeless myth and memorialization amongst the constellations. That being said, I love this as a piece of advice for living all on its own – pithy (and Pythian) and necessary: Know thyself. It is the first step to spiritual depth and maturity. It is the super-power known as self-awareness. With it, we find the capacity for humility, the desire for deeper knowledge, and the root of curiosity – all of which fuel our sense of compassion. The daily news is full of examples of public figures whose adventures in hubris are fueled rather obviously by their unexamined inner lives.

I’ve learned the hard way over the decades that it is curiosity, especially about the inner workings of my own soul, that paves the way for a compassionate life. Why do I feel this? What am I feeling called to? These are the questions that curb my reactivity and help me to focus on remaining in relationship over maintaining some sense of self-righteousness. As we dive into the theme of curiosity this month, this is a good a place as any to begin. Know Thyself.