Is there any such thing called selflessness ? Wonder if the much celebrated "selflessness" is indeed selfless. People starting organisations to "help" others are said to do selfless service. But is there anything called selflessness ?
I read somewhere that every species is genetically wired to increase its chance of survival. Feeling good is said increase the chance of survival. So, the ultimate motive is always to "feel" good. Implication - There is no such thing as selflessness.
Maslow summed it up beautifully in his prepotency of needs theory. He said that human beings have a hierarchy of needs - Physiological-->Security-->Love-->Esteem-->Self actualisation. So, most of what we do is driven by one of these needs.
One parable that I read years ago meant that even many of the sadhakas who try to master the art of self-control for years become disappointed and unhappy if they don't find disciples. Many times, the gurus need disciples more than the the later needs the former. Is self-gratification truly selfless.
Is the concept of selflessness itself a story that sustains an order enabling over 7 billion population of this species to cooperate?
May be the hint is in the few who are self--less - conscious and devoid of the sense of self. May be Nishkama Karma shows us the way...
