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Lesson 20 Self- Image

One aspect of every person is the image or impression they wish to create in others. To a large extent, this image will appear in the way the roles are carried out. Another quite different aspect is the impression or image one has of oneself. This self-image is expressed in the answer to the question, “What do I really think of myself?” Remember, this is not the same as asking about what impression one wants to create in others. The best way to capture one’s self-image is to proceed by elimination, by discarding what it. is not. In this study, eliminate in your imagination one by one the faculties, qualities, or possessions you have, and see how much trouble each loss would bring you. You will understand by doing this how your self-image has strong compensating charges which give a certain feeling of security to your life. While one’s self-image is useful for reassurance, one should understand that its root often lies in compensating deficiencies or defects.

Exercise 5 Ask yourself “Which of my qualities, if I lost it, would be the most serious loss for me? Would it be by any chance intelligence, or knowledge, or beauty, or health, or kindness, or sensitivity, etc.?”

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Using this system, organize a scale in concentric circles as you did in the previous lesson. Place your most important quality or faculty in the smallest circle, and then proceed outwards, putting the qualities of lesser importance in the outer circles. We give an example below which you may have to modify to a greater or lesser degree for your own case: When you complete this exercise, ask yourself whether you really try to improve those qualities you value so highly. Depending on your answer, you will get an interesting measure of how contented or dissatisfied you are with your self-image. Compare this exercise to Exercise 4 on values. Observe the correspondences between your self-image and your values. Especially try to see how you compensate for your deficiencies. Discuss all this with the other participants doing the same work. When you finish this exercise, write in your notebook any resolutions or suggestions you will follow to correct or better your self-image.