My first memory of the concept “pride” was at the Puerto Rican parade on 5th avenue in New York City.  As a young child of 6 or 7 years I remember walking through the crowds as the adults joyously waved their flags and pronounced their pride.  I couldn’t understand the root of their enjoyment. What had they accomplished that created such elation?  Did we somehow earn the right to feel better about who we were because we were Puerto Rican?  In my innocent mind this didn’t seem to make sense, but perhaps this was yet another “adult thing” I would later learn in life.

Surely enough I did.  In fact pride is socially encouraged.  There is Gay pride, Black pride, White pride, American pride, Indian pride, Republican and Democratic pride - the list is literally limitless.  Pride is self imposed so you can be proud of just about anything you choose including wealth, status, grades, behavior and appearance to name a few.  Pride is a license to feel good.  In a world filled with anxiety, fear, shame and guilt what’s wrong with feeling good?

Generally speaking there is nothing wrong with feeling good, however upon inspection pride’s “feel good” emotion comes at a cost - collectively and spiritually.  By definition pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing or conduct.  Cherishing one’s (or group’s) importance exclusively infers that others by comparison are inferior.  This creates separation between self and others.  Pride inflates the ego.  The sense of self value is falsely increased and incites provisional joy. 

When left unchallenged this conditions a pattern of behavior where one seeks joy by identification with symbols (i.e. power, trophies, titles, property, roles) at the exclusion and cost of others.  Take an overarching viewpoint of society and you will quickly see that ego is the underlying root of many worldly issues (i.e. mega rich, war, consumerism etc.)

At its core, pride separates us from others and reinforces the egoistic thinking.  In David R. Hawkings M.D., Ph.D.’s book titled Transcending the Levels of Consciousness he writes “The intrinsic source of Pride is the narcissistic energy of the ego by which it self-propagates via images and symbols through a circuitous self-reinforcing pattern.”  In other words, pride is masterful logic that the ego uses to justify and fortify an identity based on symbols of “specialness.”  But are we really defined by “symbols?”  Are we our egos?  See my article titled Discover the Peace and Joy You Are

There is no need to suffer.  Discover the peace and joy that's yours.  If you're inspired by spiritual growth and self development visit me at http://www.craigvillarrubia.com  On my site you'll find FREE articles, videos and podcasts that serve as a resource to spiritual enlightenment.  You can also join me on facebook for daily quotes and updates at http://www.facebook.com/craigvillarrubia