Creative Thinking: The ‘art’ of hypocrisy

One of the meanest — yet among the most difficult to detect — characteristics of the human nature is hypocrisy. This word derives from Greek and literally means “play-acting” because it was first referred to actors who, on stage, had to give a specific interpretation of a certain character. The modern definition indicates a state of promoting virtues, moral beliefs or principles that one does not actually have or is guilty of violating. It can also be considered a kind of lie because it often involves deceiving others. Hypocrisy is not simply failing to practice those virtues, but misleading his fellows into believing that they have them.
Nowadays it seems that such behavior is often accepted in order, so to say, to grease the wheels of social exchange and interaction. But hypocrites should be aware that their behavior, beside being unethical, can also corrode their well-being, if they continually make use of it. In fact, the emotional part of the “self” is naturally affected by always saying the opposite of what one feels and, as a consequence, also the physical body will experience uneasiness and, possibly, disease.
I have been fortunate enough, in my life, not to be personally harmed by such deception. Yet, in two occasions that I still remember vividly, after having accepted the “sincerity” of the people concerned, I later had to recognize that I had been dealing with, and trusted two individuals whose real “face” I later discovered. And I did not like it.
Dr. C. was a respectable, educated and knowledgeable Italian man who had created a wellness center whose goal, according to his words, was to offer physical as well as spiritual and psychological “healing” to people. At the center several classes were offered such as yoga, meditation, shiatsu, nutrition, massage etc. I was giving my Positive Thinking workshops. So far so good. Dr. C. appeared to all as a true, loving, selfless “guru” who was dedicating his life to helping others. At a certain point I found out that he was leading a double life but, as his personal affairs were none of my business, I did not give it a second thought.
Nevertheless, a small incident I personally witnessed opened my eyes once and for all. A gathering had been organized at the center to present my (at the time) latest book. A beautiful lady who had been among Dr. C.’s most faithful supporters from the very beginning expressed the wish to read some poetry, following my presentation. She was suffering from MS (multiple sclerosis) and was quite shy, therefore I was particularly happy to see her willing to “perform” in front of an audience. When Dr. C. heard about it, he firmly opposed the idea because, he said, the lady’s difficulty of speech could “ruin the party.” Such lack of sympathy shocked me. Nevertheless, the lady did read the poetry — impeccably — and was rewarded with appreciation and compliments. As to Dr. C., I felt I had finally seen his “mask” of kindness, altruism and empathy fall down, revealing his true face. The façade was serving him to acquire supporters, volunteers and financial contributions. Nothing else! What a disappointment! A “hero” had fallen from his pedestal (but for me only! I know his acolytes are still providing him with volunteer work and money).
The second experience I had concerns a woman whom I had always considered as a model of religious virtue, dutifully praying and often quoting the Holy Qur’an and Hadith. She had always appeared as virtuous, sympathetic and sincere. But in one situation where people close to me were concerned, though, I realized how she could be cruelly judgmental and, then, how she was also able to disguise her “judgment,” upset, anger, possibly hate, behind a mask of loving, smiling friendliness. A perfect attempt to deceive, to conceal her true feelings in order to keep up her image of the “perfect” Muslim.
I am glad I don’t have to deal with these people any more, as they are forever out of my life. I also hope to never give my trust again to someone who doesn’t deserve it. But... you never know! There are people who can’t help trying to give a mistaken impression of themselves, endeavoring to have others believe what is not true in order to gain either personal gain or admiration and status. And some of them are really “good” at it.
True “artists”!

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