On Sunday, January 26, 2025, I joined a thought-provoking Seekers Book Club discussion that opened my eyes to narcissism.
The book we discussed is “The Narcissism Epidemic” by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell. It’s crazy how a book written 16 years ago is still relevant today. While the term “narcissism” originates from Greek mythology, the idea isn’t new. Philosophers like Confucius and scholars such as Imam Ghazali have long warned about its dangers.
The diversity of perspectives in the room made this discussion so enriching. Teachers shared insights from their experiences, participants with backgrounds in psychology, sociology, and marketing added depth to the conversation, and even students chimed in with their thoughts. It was a safe and open space for meaningful reflection. Special thanks to Wardah Books at Bussorah Street for providing their cozy loft for this discussion.
My takeaway is narcissism is part of human nature, but it ultimately comes down to our intentions. We can fight its harmful effects by fostering connections within our communities and returning to our fitrah as khalifah of the Earth who direct all praise and gratitude to Him.
