We are all hypocrites

Today I'm gonna talk about hypocrisy. I have a belief that hypocrisy stems from the ego which is within all of us, and our ego projects its job as protecting us and keeping us strong. The two powerful tools that it uses are beliefs and identity. We believe certain things and we think we're certain types of people. As an example, if you think you're a good person, you might say I don't hurt people, but the reality is, this is hypocrisy because there's no one on the planet who's never hurt another person’s feelings. Different situations will bring out disparities in how we think especially when under huge pressure, maybe to keep a job or to protect a loved one. People will tell lies, to protect the identity that they have cultivated and the image they want other people to have of them. There are times in life where people do not live up to their image or stay true to beliefs because when we feel intimidated, then to protect ourselves, to fit in, or to impress others we can turn our backs on our beliefs and assume a different persona. Many believe that every man has his price, others believe not. Until faced with a situation where a great gift or horrible threat is posed in return for compromise, no-one can say for sure that they will stick to principles that severely tests that belief. And that is the crucial thing. Try to get rid of some of your hypocrisy by really examining your beliefs and testing and researching them in your mind. Explore where they come from and if they are appropriate and even if you actually agree with them rather than having them because everyone you hang round has them. Each culture or group has its beliefs about others and what is right and often dismiss another way of life as definitely not for them only to alter their whole viewpoint when they experience another way. The moment you judge others by your standards and experiences you are a hypocrite because this is akin to believing you would be the same person no matter where you were born. The ego lacks humility and therefore will defend the indefensible to be right. So often when our beliefs don't stand up under scrutiny, we are so wedded to them that we employ another human trait which is the ability to justify anything. At the end of the day, I think it is healthy to say there are certain things that I believe in and to the best of my knowledge I believe I will be able and want to stick to them when tested but until I'm in that position, I cannot categorically say that I will react the way I believe I will. It is the human condition to bend and there are people who bend more than others. Therefore, the amount of hypocrisy depends on how much self-awareness and strength of mind we develop to stick to beliefs we have examined as right for us from those imposed on us by our upbringing and society. I certainly believe to evolve as a human being we need to examine beliefs and give up the ones that no longer make sense. Otherwise, hypocrisy will grow.