How important is self-improvement and how does your religion (or lack of) contribute to it?

IMO, self-improvement is not selfish at all. The more you positively improve and change, the more it positively affects others. As far as it being 'secular', that doesn't matter.

Christianity speaks of no longer 'conforming to the pattern of this world' and being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). This isn't just spiritual, it also involves in a shift in thinking, hence the phrase 'renewing of the mind'. A large majority of people are study in a poverty mindset, so renewing the mind is very important. In other words, changing one's mindset is important even from a religious perspective.

I also once strongly believed that it was somehow 'sinful' to be wealthy or that you can't be spiritual and wealthy, but a careful study of the Bible reveals prosperity comes from God and the Bible only rails against greed not money itself. And from my perspective, God is glorified by my actions.

So as you can tell, religion plays a major role in positively shifting my attitude towards wealth creation.

My religion tells me that I need do nothing and that self-improvement is impossible. That is because it says that me, you and everyone and everything is perfect, and if you see otherwise, then it is just an illusion, so that is why one does not have to do anything and there is in truth no improvements that are possible.

totally agree bilclark229

Hi.

Self improvement is very important. I think its a continuous process in being alive.

When it comes to religion, I Might suggest reading religious text in original alphanumeric languages to get the real information in the stories being told that have been transferred through time.

The methods of writing allegory are an ancient technology, and doing homework will explain the lack of mystery one should have, that is suggested to embrace by leader translators of theocracies .

There are facts behind the text of scriptural allegorical stories, that are presented by leaders. Strangely, most don't even know of this as the institutions that train or teach them suggest to study in prescribed ways that engage specific bodies of text and not others. Just ask...

Some choose to avoid and or just not recognize an actuality behind a surface reality. This tends to cause a continuance of distortion concerning the actuality behind presentations.

Generally, mass populations are reacting to projections of of invigorating enthusiastic speech laced with a technology called, 'inversion'. Inversion is where you express facts mixed with untruth, speculation or lies.

This can be applied consciously or unknowingly due to the ethical and moral chemistry of the presenter. Just watch and listen to todays politicians, clergy, top bankers, etc. There's no monopokly on this.This is a technology which induces the holder of its effect to police them self regarding its maintenance.

This condition is across the board, globally, and influencing billions. The conditions to effect this type technology is plainy exposed in plain sight, written in mathematical code and geometric syntax in coded scripture.

It requires only the ability and know-how to decode the writings and apply the vast of information repositories.

Remember, most scriptural text were written as a body of work in non-contiguous circumstance, which suggest the information is not confined in the condition of time, nor the same body of information is not confined to one individual at just one period in a history.

Example:

• Genesis1:1 'Hebrew Torah' / 'Christian Bible' in original alphanumeric language:

This is less than the tip of the iceberg. I didn't show where and how to find 'e' - Euler's constant, or 'a' - the fine constant of our presently known physics.

You'll find 'prime number attributes', the chemical sequence of single and double isotopes of today's periodic table as well as 'DNA amino acid' references coded within, the 'Holy Quran'.

I didn't write these text, I'm just fortunate enough to know a little of how to read them and what they're actually saying. I make efforts to improve myself.


Self improvement is very important. Something to think about...

Tom

Yes it is selfish but that is the best thing ever. Like Ghandi said Be the change you want to see in the world instead of telling people to exercise you do it yourself that way you benefit either way. Self love is so precious. Religion is man made division it is the number one killer of men in history. Leaders and rulers throughout history have used religion as a way to control the masses so they never reach their highest consciousness.

'There is a golden thread that runs through all * religions'
Ralph Waldo Trine - In Tune with the Infinite written around 1920

So many things come under the banner of self development/self improvement
My understanding is the following-
Religion = lifestyle (so can be non spiritual)
(in usual context ) around a central spiritual teachings.
The Mystics of any religion focus on that central teaching rather than the outside form of the 'letter of the law'
hence mystics tend to see the similarity at the center of each and experience no conflict between religions at this core.
Without the mystical understanding, the knowing by direct experience, ie Gnosis, the 'letter of the law' is open to misinterpretation
by the motivations of those who propose it whether this is conscious for manipulation, not always negative as humanity itself is evolving,
or unconscious due to unresolved personal or cultural issues. This can lead to what we have termed 'fundamentalism' in Any religion.

At the center they are all referring to listening to our hearts intelligence,science has shown that to be wider than our brains.
If we are brought up in a religion or philosophy, our self development begins there.
To come to a deeper understanding of the heart of our religion,
(including those that say 'we are already perfect' (just not aware we are' )
is where we each needs apply ourselves CONSCIOUSLY to our self development
Many religions and philosophies refer to this reality as a dream (within the eternal life)
much of self development is about choosing to consciously dream the life we wish for
as we are mostly manifesting/perceiving our lives from unconscious conditioning.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience

* Not sure that the Viking religion of dying with a sword in ones hand would count as one.
Most religions have Peace, Love, Oneness, Harmony ( the old english name for this is Heaven) at their core.
It is our interpretations that have created the illusions of separation and conflict between.
The old English name for wall is Hell. We wall ourselves off from experiencing Oneness.
Our religions ask us not to judge others and yet we use the misinterpretations of them to do just that.

I was brought up a combination of 3 denominations of christianity
then chose to study most other religions and spiritual and self dev practises for over 40yrs now (so you could call it my natural niche ❀
I started learning the science behind the spiritual in the 60's including via Quantum Physicist Prof John Hagelin
' When waves interact they cause the appearance of particles' Maharishi had told him " In the Absolute there are tendencies "
Nowadays a lot of scientists and mystics refer to The Field although Karl Jung spoke about the Collective Unconscious several decades before.
Einstein also refers to such and the importance of the imagination.
I am now more a mystic or gnostic guided via direct experience rather than another's interpretation.
That could perhaps be called my self development ❀ the overcoming of the control by fear, guilt and separatist misinterpretation.
As christianity was my foundation I am firstly, although not exclusively, guided by the spiritual gems from that,
those being encapsulated in the one advisement 'that we love one another'
and The Good Samaritan that shows it is our acts of courage and kindness that are more important than our religion.
Ghandi's peaceful revolution is a wonderful example ✌

After 12 years in a negative relationship where I was pushed away from my church, family and friends I have now managed to get free and am trying to rebuild family and friend relationships. I have started to attend my church and am trying to make my peace again with God. I have joined and attend a weekly self improvement group and am slowly getting my positivity, confidence and self esteem restored

If there is something within me that needs improvement, then it wouldn't be a problem if i will take those personal development tips or advises to do.

it's not selfish, once you become better you have the opportunities to help everyone else.

My religion teaches me to do what is right with humility and patience. With this I not just learn how to deal with others but also to improve my inner talents and point of view towards life

Self improvement is the entire point of life, at least in my opinion. Personally, I'm not religious (agnostic theist) so the drive to be as good a person I can be stems from my own world view: that I need to do everything in my power to leave the world better for those who come after me.

I'm a sinner saved by grace..

In my Christian walk so far, I found 1 thing that is pretty interesting: God help those who help themselves.. God wants to help all of us BUT are we willing to allow that to happen?

Yes, I agree, self-improvement is important.. But personally, what's even more important to me is putting my trust in Him..

Make it a habit to improve yourself everyday no matter how bad your day is.. be it physically, financially, spiritually etc.. Just improve a little each day.. And don't forget to trust in the Lord.

Jeremiah

yes its true Greg Wildermuth...

religion usually makes it worse

Self improvement is very important for me. It makes me a better person. My religion which is Roman Catholic made a great contribution in my whole being. Believing in God and being God-fearing plays a significant part in my personality. Everything else follows with having these personalities.