Ego Twitch
My self-inquiry takes me to uncomfortable places.
“What is it with lapse in conscience? In the past day or so, I have heard about a few spiritual teachers and authors who have crossed the line in terms of plagiarizing the work of others. I know that doing spiritual work doesn’t make anyone immune to lapses in judgment, but do folks think they won’t get caught and then their reputation is shot? And if they aren’t walking the talk, then their work becomes inauthentic and they are viewed as untrustworthy. I know that it is about the message and not just the messenger, but there are consequences for choices and actions.”
In the midst of frustration, I used what many do these days, as a platform for expression, as well as to get some feedback from my peers/peeps; social media.
The response was immediate and varied from my Facebook friends.
“I can’t figure out how plagiarists think they can get away with it these days. Some years back, I was co-teaching a class in Computer Security at NJIT. The course required a paper, and one of the student’s papers kept changing writing style, even alternating between British and US spelling.
So I simply entered phrases and sentences into Google, (or was it Alta Vista then?) and ended up finding every one of his plagiarized and un-credited sources. Made the citations and turned the whole thing over to the dean. Hasta la vista, baby!”- G.B.
“Spiritual Amnesia. Karma generally comes into play when people fall short of doing the right thing.”- T.Z.
“If you knew how many narcissists hid in the spiritual world, you’d know the answer. Like all narcissists, they don’t ever think they are wrong. And they play the game very well.”- J.S.
“It’s just bad karma, but sometimes ego gets in the way. We all need to beware of ego as we go about our healing. It’s easy for the appreciation of those we help to go to our heads instead of our hearts. It often happens when practitioners don’t take enough time to pay attention to their own needs.”-J.H.
“Funny that this would come up. There are two very well-known authors/presenters who have taken my work and named it for their own. Years ago. I remember being furious and I did confront one of them. Daniel (my son) said — you have yourself to blame …..COPYRIGHT. They are very wealthy now and still presenting everywhere.”-Y.K.
“ I would personally need more than hearsay. As people are sometimes paranoid and don’t realize they aren’t the only brilliant mind in the world. Haven’t you ever had a brilliant invention in your consciousness then see it and think “HEY!! that was my idea.
Essence -no one owns and we all own.
It is highly likely that similar minds have similar thoughts vs evil intent.
That said…I have seen coaches use quotes that belong to Wayne Dyer or Marianne Williamson from years ago…but they sign their name. I think “that’s not cool” and I wonder if someone is teaching them to do that… But I wonder…how often I am piggybacking off of something I read 20 years ago principle wise through all the various studies through the years and I’m just putting my own spin on it. I think it’s probably more honest to acknowledge that we are often regurgitating on some level. I think we need to be sure it’s being done and the only way to know that is word for word. Plagiarizing needs to be word for word….intent. Otherwise, we are rushing to ruin someone’s reputation without digging in to know for sure. And that’s not cool either.
“Just my thoughts.”-C.W.
“Oh honey…. pay attention it’s all plagiarized… Read Vera Stanly Alder who wrote her books in the 1940s and your mind will be like…uh wait a minute I’ve heard all this before… like yesterday from a “best selling author”.-B.C.
After reading the wisdom of these folks, I had this to add:
“This author admitted publicly that he told a story that was not his and shared it as if it was. He said that he had heard it or read it years before and then “internalized it” as if it was his own. Come on. I hear and tell stories all the time and I do know the difference between what happened in my life and someone else’s. It was indeed, according to articles written about it, word for word as the other person’s story. I agree that we are all inspired by something. If I read something or hear something that is a writing prompt, I make sure to acknowledge the source. It’s good manners and I would want someone else to do the same for me.”
As I write these words, I realize why this triggered such a vehement response. I have a push-pull relationship with notoriety and acknowledgment for my work. Having been a journalist since 1988, I have had the blessing of interviewing some of the most amazing movers and shakers on the planet, such as Ram Dass, Wayne Dyer, Debbie Ford, don Miguel Ruiz, don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. Marianne Williamson, Grover Washington, Jr, Dan Millman, Richard Bach, Noah Levine, Mariel Hemingway, Betsy Chasse, Dennis Weaver, Joan Borsysenko, Ben and Jerry and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Each of these transformational folks have enriched my life and those whose lives they have touched in their storied careers. What I admire most about them is that they have been able to put ego aside (no one is entirely without this necessary personality trait, especially if they are in the public eye) and genuinely present their message. On the flip side, I have encountered those that a friend of mine refers to as “enlightened egos” who have experienced a disconnect with regard to the concepts about which they teach. Spiraling to the top of the pantheon of teachers might feel dizzying and have them forgetting their origins and the people and principles that provided the guidance to get them there.
When I read about teachers taking advantage of students and betraying their trust, I cringe. Although I know that each person is responsible for their own choices with regard to following the words and works of anyone they encounter, it still feels incumbent upon the teacher to take his or her own inventory, lest they cross the line into inappropriate action. I consider plagiarism to be part of that paradigm.
Here’s where the ego twitch comes into play.
When we sold the magazine in 1998, six month before my husband died from Hep C, I launched into the world of freelance journalism and book authoring. Like many wordsmiths, I can’t NOT write. It is my lifeblood. It is my true North and has kept me sane and vertical more times than I can count. I turn countless pages of those articles written by others in mainstream mags and think, “I could have written that. I wonder what turn of events, connections, who-knows-who that led them to reach readers that I have not yet.” My fingers glide over their glossy pages and I read the byline and wonder why mine is not yet there. Writer’s envy? Not exactly, since they have earned their chops too. Just wanting my words to be more visible and their impact helping more people.
My self-inquiry takes me to uncomfortable places. I know I was given a passion for the written and spoken word. The Muse is my persistent lover who sometimes keeps me awake at all hours, having its way with me. All good there. No complaints. Luscious loving going on that I get to share with willing readers. The feedback I have received from those who have immersed in my writing has been heartening. Writing is a marketable skill. I want to be well compensated for it. I sometimes tumble into allowing my active inner critic who I call Perfectionista, to browbeat me into submission:
“People will think you are an over-the-top egotist if you keep blowing your own horn. If you are all that and a bag of chips, you would already have your words published where you want them to be beyond their current venues. What’s wrong with this picture, that you haven’t ‘arrived? “
I then take the counterpoint that sounds like this:
“ You have worked your tush off to get where you are. You have been the wind beneath the wings of those whose work is better known, but not necessarily higher quality. You are in integrity and walk the talk. You give credit where it is due. You know that you would want the same respect.”
A few years ago, I received a message from another author whose work I respected and talent I admired. He asked me not to respond, but just take it in for what it was worth. In it, he aligned with Perfectionista and informed me that he thought I was too promotional and that it would serve me to step back and ‘find my tribe’ who would do my horn blowing for me. My initial response was to blow raspberries, and demand, “Who does he think he is, since he is one of the most shamelessly self promoting folks I know?” The I let it settle in. In the interceding turning of the calendar pages, I have taken a both-and and not an either-or stance. I do continue to share my work, as well as laud that of others. I ask for support from folks in my circles and ask them to spread the word.
Do I sometimes still pout when a brother or sister writer’s work appears on the pages of publications in which I want mine to find a home? Mos def. No, not the hybrid hip hop-actor-comedian, but rather my own certainty that I will always want to set my sights higher and my reach further, is what contributes to that desire.
When my ego twitches, I appease it by reminding myself that I never know what is brewing behind the scenes and what opportunities will arrive and what doors will open in any given 24 hours.
Read more by Edie Weinstein:
The story was previously published on The Good Men Project.
About Edie Weinstein
Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a colorfully creative journalist, inspiring transformational speaker, licensed social worker, interfaith minister, editor, radio host, BLISS coach, event producer, certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Cosmic Concierge, the author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary and co-author of Embraced By the Divine: The Emerging Woman’s Gateway to Power, Passion and Purpose. She has also contributed to several anthologies and personal growth books. Edie has interviewed such notables as Ram Dass, Wayne Dyer, Debbie Ford, don Miguel Ruiz, don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay, Grover Washington, Jr. Noah Levine, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Weaver, Ben and Jerry and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She calls herself an Opti-mystic who sees the world through the eyes of possibility. Edie writes for The Huffington Post, Psych Central, Beliefnet, Elephant Journal, The Good Men Project, Expanded Family, Meaningful Mom, Happenings Media, as well as a growing number of other venues. Edie is the founder of Hug Mobsters Armed With Love, which offers FREE HUGS events on a planned and spontaneous basis. www.opti-mystical.com
The Good Men Project gives people the insights, tools, and skills to survive, prosper and thrive in today’s changing world. A world that is changing faster than most people can keep up with that change. A world where jobs are changing, gender roles are changing, and stereotypes are being upended. A world that is growing more diverse and inclusive. A world where working towards equality will become a core competence. We’ve built a community of millions of people from around the globe who believe in this path forward. Thanks for joining The Good Men Project.
