In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender is valued above self-expression, and conformity is valued above integrity, those who preserve their self-esteem are likely to be heroic exceptions.
Nathaniel BrandenA commitment to lifelong learning is a natural expression of the practice of living consciously.
Nathaniel BrandenIt would be hard to name a more certain sign of poor self-esteem than the need to perceive some other group as inferior.
Nathaniel BrandenLiving consciously is seeking to be aware of everything that bears on our interests, actions, values, purposes, and goals. It is the willingness to confront facts, pleasant or unpleasant. It is the desire to discover our mistakes and correct them . . . it is the quest to keep expanding our awareness and understanding, both of the world external to self and the world within.
Nathaniel Branden