Most people consider self-esteem and self-concept to be one and the same. In this discussion we need to distinguish between who we are and who we think we are in order to grasp the essential difference between the two. In this article we recognize that all human beings have a core of natural brilliance that is the foundation for self-esteem.

There often is confusion or a lack of clarity about the terms self-esteem and self-concept. Here are two definitions from the Advanced Human Studies Institute in Minneapolis:

Self-Esteem is an inborn, unconditioned positive FEELING of security and well-being that is the core of every person. It is directly accessible regardless of a person’s present level of functioning.

Self-Concept is an idea, or mental image, a THOUGHT, who we think we are, depending on what we’ve learned from our experiences in the past.

In other words, self-esteem describes positive feelings from our natural brilliance and innate wisdom. Our self-concept is what we think about ourselves. If we draw two circles, one around the other, the space in the middle represents our self-esteem, our core of brilliance. The outer circle contains all of the thoughts we have about ourselves and represents self-concept.

Using these terms interchangeably is confusing. Without distinguishing between the two, we base both only on thought; there is no recognition of true self-esteem. Our current psychology is thought-based. The concept of Spirit was eliminated more than a hundred years ago in order for psychology to be recognized as a science.? Today, there is no reference in our schools for Spirit or our core of brilliance, and what is being taught is incomplete. We learn that self-esteem is what we think about ourselves instead of who we truly are.

When we don’t teach people that they have this core of natural brilliance, they may assume that they are broken, unworthy, or stupid if they don’t match the narrow standard society holds up as ideal. All of our attempts to teach self-esteem as a product of thought cannot succeed. Self-esteem comes from the inside out, from our core of natural brilliance-and everybody has it. Self-esteem is free!

Excerpted from ACTIVATE YOUR BRILLIANCE, ©2007 Back to Brilliance.