The Three Treasures

I have been working for a while with the idea of basic ethical beliefs. These are ethical commitments so generally held (in all cultures, traditions, religions, philosophies etc) that they are unquestioned. Some philosophers call them "prima facie moral axioms." That is, we hold them to be true unless we can find very good reasons for not doing so. We can't find many of them, but notions like "not doing harm," and "doing good" are a couple of them. I came across a contender for the category as "self-improvement." The argument said that here is a basic ethical belief that we can all be better than we are, and we ought to try to be so. I am intrigued by the idea and will continue to ponder it.

The very last flowers in our garden.
Strangely in advent purple

A large part of self-improvement is self-reflection. In the Christian calendar we are encouraged to take two extended periods of serious reflection each year, in Lent and Advent. That's not to say that we ignore self-reflection at other times, but that at these times we make a special effort. With Christmas celebrations and indulgence around the corner, it's not a bad thing to do just now.
So, I have been wondering: what would be a good preparation? My partial answer is that preparation is an inner thing. About character. About who I am in my deepest self. It's the kind of person I am in process of becoming. Here are some characteristics to play with: Balance. Modesty. Humbleness. Quietness. Modesty. Returning to the fundamental issues of life.
However, self-improvement—with its sister self-refection—is not an end in itself. It is for the sake of the Other. I become a better person not for my sake, but for your sake. You engage in self-reflection not to boast of your achievement but to become your best self for others.
I change to love you better, more fully.
Here is wisdom from the Daodejing

I have three treasures
That I guard and hold dear:
The first is love;
The second is contentment;
The third is humbleness.
Only the loving are courageous;
Only the content are magnanimous;
Only the humble are capable of commanding.

Love, contentment, humbleness—certainly elements of the inner life to treasure.
Finally, wisdom from Confucius:

The benevolent person decreases what is excessive and increases what is scarce. She weighs things and makes them balance.

Reflect well!
+Ab. Andy