Self-knowledge: stages, essence and the very goal for a person

Self-knowledge in a person’s life begins almost from birth. This process is quite complex in its structure. It is present in every age period of a person, but the degree of its severity varies. Self-knowledge most often intensifies during adolescence and youth. But in old age it declines, but there are exceptions.

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Results of self-knowledge and the process of self-knowledge

In the course of self-knowledge, a person gets to know himself. This knowledge can be divided into groups. For example, emotions, character traits, behavioral characteristics, intellectual properties. They are also called constructs. They form a self-image, on the basis of which the self-concept is formed.

If we highlight the general results of self-knowledge, then this is a sense of personal competence. What does it consist of? The first is the feeling that we are all similar, i.e. identical. And the second is that we accept ourselves entirely and completely, with pros and cons, positive and negative qualities. A person does not resist himself, while he has a desire to grow, develop and change something in himself, but this happens gradually.

As feelings of identity and self-acceptance emerge, self-esteem emerges. This feeling expresses the degree of sympathy a person has for himself.

And, identity, self-esteem and self-acceptance contribute to a sense of self-competence. How does it manifest itself? In the fact that a person accepts himself, his characteristics, he can make important decisions himself and determine his destiny.

Role

What is the importance of human self-knowledge?

The role of self-knowledge is difficult to overestimate, since it is not just a function available to intelligent beings.

It is rather a tool with which you can achieve harmony, success and balance at all levels of life.

Through self-knowledge, you can achieve personal maturity and form an objective self-esteem. A person who is aware of himself, his strengths and weaknesses, can choose the right way to achieve his goals.

Thanks to self-knowledge, a person can understand his own desires, discarding externally imposed stereotypes and the desire to meet other people's expectations. This is very important because often we choose the wrong path.

For example, a born ballerina goes to study to become an accountant because her parents convince her of the rationality of such a choice. And a talented artist spends his whole life trying to please his mother, who dreamed of seeing him as a doctor.

As a result, people live an “alien” and unhappy life. But they cannot find that very saving thread that they can grab onto and get on the right path, because they are afraid to look into the eyes of their grievances, fears, attitudes, etc.

Self-knowledge fills life with meaning. After all, mechanical actions limited to earning a living and rare entertainment cannot replace the highest meaning and purpose of existence.

And a person who directs attention deep into his “I”, sooner or later finds his true purpose and begins to strive for high and fulfilling goals.

The result of self-knowledge is control over your own feelings. They are no longer a mystery to a person who has come to know himself. The nature of anger, envy, irritation, joy and sadness becomes obvious.

All feelings become in a person’s eyes not just a hurricane that captures the mind and deprives one of the will. They turn into logical, predictable and expected processes that can be analyzed and controlled.

The process of self-discovery

The process of self-knowledge is a complete awareness of oneself, character, and essence. By the way, it is self-knowledge that distinguishes a person from other inhabitants of our planet, for example, animals. In all beliefs and religious movements, self-knowledge is defined as a means of recognizing and understanding one’s community with God. This is especially evident in Eastern religions.

It is quite simple and clear that a person determines his life path. Chooses between several options, sets a goal, performs actions, interacts with others. Thanks to this, he begins to be an interesting person, both to those around him, and he begins to enjoy spending time with himself.

Self-concept

In the process of interaction with the outside world, a person distinguishes himself from other people, feels himself to be an object of his physical and mental processes, acts for himself as an “I” that opposes others and at the same time is inextricably linked with them.

The image of “I”, “ I-concept ” is a relatively stable, not always conscious, unique set of a person’s ideas about himself, on the basis of which he bases relationships with others. “I-concept” is formed under the influence of:

• past experience;
• successes and failures;
• relationships of other people to a person, especially in childhood;
• own appearance.

Ways of self-knowledge

• Self-observation is considered the beginning of the entire process of self-knowledge. During it, a person observes himself. Using this method, a person increases his awareness. Here you must focus on what is happening inside you, on what feelings you are experiencing.
• Introspection. When you analyze yourself, you look at your behavior and reactions. You are trying to understand why you did what you did and nothing else. Psychologically, self-analysis is considered the most difficult.
• Comparison. Here a person, willy-nilly, compares himself with others. This is their nature. As a result of comparisons, a person gets to know himself better.
• Self-acceptance. Here a person accepts himself completely and without reserve. He is aware of his strengths and weaknesses and is ready to improve himself.

Functions

To summarize, the basic functions of self-knowledge can be called introspection and introspection . In addition, when considering the issue in detail, the functions of the process of self-knowledge include:

1. Understanding yourself (working with detailed knowledge about yourself).
2. Increasing personal significance (choosing positive knowledge about yourself and working with it).
3. Self-test (comparing your own knowledge about yourself with the assessments of others).

Types of self-knowledge

There are several types of self-knowledge. Among them:

• Analytical – has a connection with the activities of our mind;
• Creative – connected with our feelings;
• Spiritual – associated with our religion, faith.

There are also indirect self-knowledge (when a person analyzes his own behavior) and direct self-knowledge (self-observation).

Analytical self-knowledge

Analytical self-knowledge occurs as a result of knowing oneself and observing oneself. A written analysis during self-observation helps to get to know yourself better. For example, keeping personal diaries. Another way is self-confession. In this case, you need to tell yourself about yourself. Sometimes this can be quite difficult, because defense mechanisms come into play. A psychologist can help here. But reflection is different from confession, because you will simply observe the process, without any assessment of yourself.

Human creative self-knowledge

Such self-knowledge allows you to get to know yourself better through games, going to the theater, general activities and social events. For example, playing in the theater. It has a positive effect on the psyche because internal resistance disappears. After all, this is a game, and the person there is an actor. This is where deep self-knowledge occurs.

Spiritual self-discovery

In this type of self-knowledge, a person chooses a certain method of spiritual self-knowledge. This could be yoga or spiritual practices. And using this method he begins to get to know himself, to analyze his own actions.

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Stages of self-knowledge

A person gets to know himself throughout his life. At each age stage, corresponding stages of self-knowledge occur.

1. Self-recognition

Self-recognition is the initial stage of knowing yourself. It begins almost from the moment of birth. The child understands that he lives as a separate person. Look in the mirror, he recognizes himself.

1. Self-concept

Self-concept is a person’s very stable understanding of himself and his characteristics. This concept is formed in the process of various life events.

1. Self-esteem

Self-esteem determines how significant a person is to himself, how important his activities are, recognizing all the pros and cons. Here, the achievements of the person himself and his assessment by the people around him occupy a significant position.

Values ​​in self-knowledge through yoga practice

Thanks to yoga and various spiritual practices, people can understand their inner world and become more aware of themselves. In yoga there are several steps that you need to go through. Thus, a whole list is formed, thanks to which a person has his values ​​in order; a special place there is occupied by spiritual values, to which he strives throughout his life.

Need for self-knowledge

People often ask questions about the meaning of life and true values. How can a person understand himself and those around him? Such questions are the basis for the need for oneself. This need is inherent in every person. People are in an eternal search for the meaning of life; it comes first for them. After all, until we understand the meaning of life, we will not learn to understand ourselves.

Inner peace and self-knowledge

Where is the meaning of life? It is logical that it is inside us, not outside. When we understand this, our lives begin to change. From here appear monks who sell their Mercedes and say goodbye to their past life. It's not that simple here. Such people choose the path of spirituality, not because they feel like it right now, but in a week they will return back to their normal life. Here we are talking about the fact that they follow the path of spirituality throughout their lives.

Personal growth as a stage of self-knowledge

As a person develops, his or her level of self-knowledge increases. For example, at the beginning the child learns to distinguish himself from other people. Further, as he grows up, he develops beliefs about himself. And then he finds motivation that encourages him to improve his life and develop.

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Methods of self-knowledge

Self-knowledge occurs at the moment when a person begins to realize that he is different from others. What methods does the person use?

• Personality modeling. This method detects emotions. Positive and negative emotions and feelings towards people that contribute to successful cooperation or provoke conflicts. This method allows you to assess your position in the world around you.
• Method of unity of antipodes. Thanks to this method, a person understands that he has a positive attitude towards someone and a negative attitude towards someone. You definitely notice that you behave differently with different people.

Examples from history

Vivid examples of how self-knowledge acts as an engine of spiritual, cultural, scientific and technological progress can be found in history.

For example, the principle of yoga “Ahimsa” or non-violence is the fruit of spiritual quest, self-knowledge and the search for truth within oneself.

This principle implies the rejection of cruelty and eating animal food as a form of cruelty. This concept of behavior was developed by followers of yoga and was born through self-knowledge.

Means of self-knowledge

Knowing the methods of self-knowledge, a person begins to use means of self-knowledge that help him develop his spiritual world. Such tools help you better begin to understand yourself.

1. The first means is self-report. You can start a personal diary or blog where you can analyze the changes taking place in your life.
2. Cinema, books, theater. It is necessary to read, go to shows, developing spirituality.
3. Attending social and psychological events. Trainings help you to know yourself better.
4. Don't be afraid to consult a psychologist. This is not a doctor, he will simply help you understand yourself better.

Self-knowledge and self-esteem

Self-esteem is one of the components of self-knowledge. A person evaluates himself and builds his own value system. Self-esteem can be normal (adequate), underestimated or overestimated.

It's no secret that arrogant people are too self-confident and have low self-criticism. Low self-esteem causes timidity, making a person withdrawn and shy. And adequate self-esteem allows a person to be confident in himself and evaluate his capabilities and strengths without distortion.

Self-concept theory as a stage of self-knowledge

When a person has formed an idea of ​​himself, it is called self-concept. It includes: the personal “I” and the social “I”. The first shows how a person sees himself. And the second is how other people understand it.

This theory is based on two aspects: the desire to come into harmony with oneself and the opportunity to raise one’s self-esteem.

Self-concept has 2 vectors:

• objective is how we perceive ourselves in our lives;
• aspirational is a desired image of how we want to be perceived.

A person will always strive for the desired image in his life. This image can be based on a person in the past and at the present moment. Now the person has achieved significant results. Over time, the distance between the desired and the actual will shrink until it disappears.

Self-discovery exercises

These exercises allow you to better understand yourself. Thanks to them, a person improves himself.

For example, you can perform the exercise “4 squares of the psychology of consciousness.” You need to divide a sheet of paper into 4 squares. In the first you need to write your positive traits and qualities, in the third you need to write what you think are negative qualities. Then you need to write in the adjacent squares the antipodes of these qualities, completely opposite. You need to be as honest with yourself as possible and understand that there are no absolutely ideal people and personality traits. You should improve yourself and focus on the positives while working on the negatives.

Books for self-knowledge

In conclusion, we invite you to get acquainted with a selection of books about self-knowledge. They will help those who are already engaged in the study of self-knowledge, as well as those who are just starting.

1. Colin Tipping "Radical Forgiveness";
2. Jen Sincero "NOT SY";
3. Eric Berne "Games People Play" People who play games";
4. John Gray "Men are from Mars, women are from Venus";
5. Viktor Frankl “Say Yes to Life!”;
6. Kate Peterson “Live and Learn”;
7. Richard Bach "Illusions".