self-culture
Developing oneself deliberately
Self-culture is the deliberate cultivation of one's own mind, character, or abilities through independent study and reflection rather than formal education.
The term was popular in the nineteenth century, when lectures and reading circles promoted self-culture as a path to moral and intellectual improvement.
It emphasizes personal responsibility for one's development: He devoted his evenings to self-culture, reading philosophy and practicing languages.
Sustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
Desire to learn
- knowledge-seekerOne who pursues understanding
- polymathMulti-domain expert
- eruditionExtensive scholarly knowledge
- bibliophileLover of books
bookworm · inquisitiveness · intellectualism · polyglot · encyclopedic · scholarship · autonomy · reading
Return to consciousness
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- gnosisExperiential sacred understanding
illumination · epiphany · wisdom · insight · liberation · clarity · consciousness · awareness
Mental strength resisting impulse
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- regimenPrescribed course of treatment
routine · structure · focus · concentration · commitment · abstinence · orderliness · consistency
Prospering vigorously
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- progressMovement toward improvement
- advancementForward movement or promotion
contemplation
Sustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
curiosity
Desire to learn
- knowledge-seekerOne who pursues understanding
- polymathMulti-domain expert
- eruditionExtensive scholarly knowledge
bibliophile · bookworm · inquisitiveness · intellectualism · polyglot · encyclopedic · scholarship · autonomy · reading · inquiry
awakening
Return to consciousness
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
gnosis · illumination · epiphany · wisdom · insight · liberation · clarity · consciousness · awareness · revelation
willpower
Mental strength resisting impulse
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
regimen · routine · structure · focus · concentration · commitment · abstinence · orderliness · consistency · diligence
flourishing
Prospering vigorously
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- progressMovement toward improvement
advancement · optimization · elevation · thriving · character-building
self-cultureformal education
Systematic study in institutions
schooling · compulsory education · traditional education · classroom instruction · indoctrination
self-culturephilistinism
Contempt for cultural refinement
anti-intellectualism · incuriosity · complacency · ignorance · willful ignorance
self, culture, selves, selfish, selfhood, selfless, selfishly, selflessness, cultural