Still meditating for “self-improvement”? You have been tricked.

The system of concepts you call “mind” just takes a longer u-turn. Yes, “give” (but so that you can “take” more).

Unless your self-care is to actually help others — your mind will train (reinforce) egocentric traits. It will fake mindfulness, compassion, or “servant” leadership to get what it really wants. “Unintentionally” throwing the world around you under the bus.

Such misguided practice is a downfall. Escalation of errors and, ultimately, unhappiness.

How to “un-trick” yourself

Get to the bottom of it. Really understand.

Move from both sides:

• maintain still-imperfect-concepts-based, but at least in theory, altruistic, compassionate intention

• use emotional hygiene to expose and rewire the opposing egocentricity (improving both understanding and ability to uphold core values)

Any goals your mind offers today are provisional — open to change as you clear your horizon a bit. So keep gradually, step-by-step, reducing the impact of your egocentric concepts.