I was thinking about Pride today. Honestly, I realized I didn’t really get it. I hear about the seven deadly sins and really didn’t think it applied to me until I went on a little journey through Western thought, Buddhism, Taoism, and East Asian Medicine. So let me share what I found.

I looked at the classic definition in Western thought. In the West, Pride is framed as one of the seven deadly sins. It’s definition and protrayal tends to be exaggerated versions of typical personality traits. That type of definition makes pride about someone else and not about me.  The internet says it’s:

“An excessive love of self and a belief in one’s inherent superiority or entitlement, often leading to self-idolatry and a disregard for God and others.”

Umm, okay. Well, not me. So what does Pride actually mean in real life?
Like when is self-love “too much”?
What even is “self-idolatry”?
And “inherent superiority”? My mechanic is way better at fixing cars than I am. Am I not supposed to recognize my mechanic’s “inherent superiority”?

It all just felt a little too sermon-y. And right now, I’m not looking for moral lectures. I’m trying to understand myself and where I can find a path back to my authentic voice. I’m trying to rebalance what is out of balance.

So I turned to Buddhism.

Here, Pride is not always bad. It’s good to have some self-love and self-idolatry. Pride is defined as an “exaggerated positive evaluation of self.” And then Buddhism gave me an example of when Pride is bad that I could understand and apply to my life. Pride only becomes bad or toxic when it leads to devaluing others. In other words, if you’re equally proud of yourself and the people around you, it’s not really an issue. If you talk yourself up and use that to talk others down, that is pride. If you devalue others because you think you are inherently superior, well, that’s bad Pride.

That clicked. Finally, something I could measure. If I’m being judgy or critical of others, then yeah, I’m tipping into Pride. When I realized that, well that was a little ouchy because definitely guilty.

But then I thought, what about Taoism and Classical East Asian Medicine? What do they say about Pride?

According to the medicine, Pride often comes from imbalances in the Stomach or Spleen. And honestly, if there’s anything Americans struggle with, it’s digestive balance. From our food culture to how we work and study, our entire system seems built to throw the Stomach and Spleen off.

Take the education system. Endless busywork, not enough breaks. Overthinking literally weakens the Spleen. No wonder so many of us feel drained and off-center.

This is where Five Element Theory comes in. There are five elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire. Each has organ systems tied to it.

The Earth element includes the Stomach and Spleen.
When Earth is balanced, it feels and expresses empathy, fairness, and the ability to care for yourself and others without losing your center.

But when Earth is imbalanced, empathy warps into self-centeredness, neediness, or endless worry. Instead of “I understand your struggle, let me help” (balanced Earth), it turns into “No one understands my struggle. Why is this happening to me?” (imbalanced Earth).

That “why me?” energy can sometimes spark growth. But if it dominates, it tips into unhealthy Pride. Want more insight? Check out my Youtube episode on Rewriting Old Beliefs!

Pride also shows up in the Metal element, which governs the Lungs and Large Intestine. Metal is about value, integrity, and self-worth. In balance, it gives you quiet dignity which is a grounded pride in who you are and how you live.

But when Metal is off, it becomes rigid, judgy, and grief-filled. It’s the “I’m right, you’re wrong” version of Pride. It’s perfectionism turned inward, with little bursts of criticism spilling out onto others.

So, how do we shift these patterns?

Here’s the beautiful thing about Classical East Asian Medicine. It’s precise, personal, and holistic. Two people might experience Pride from the same external trigger, but depending on their constitution, the imbalance shows up differently. One person’s Pride might be rooted in a weak Spleen, while another’s might come from Lung imbalance. Treatment would look completely different for each.

For example:

• If the Spleen is weak, Pride shows up as a false front. A coping mechanism for insecurity. The thing is healing isn’t about tearing someone down; it’s about rebuilding core stability so that false pride isn’t needed anymore. Treatment might focus on strengthening the Spleen, soothing the Liver to ease defensiveness, and calming the Heart to reduce anxiety and worry.

Lifestyle changes can also support this healing. Here are a few simple, Earth-nourishing practices you can try:

• Mindful Eating: Eating slowly, chewing well, and creating a calm environment at meals.

• Grounding Practices: Walking barefoot, gardening, or hiking to reconnect with the Earth element.

• Qi Gong or Tai Chi: Gentle movement to center your energy.

• Nurturing Acts: Cooking for loved ones, volunteering, or caring for animals. These are ways to channel nurturing energy outward instead of looping into self-focus.

Over time, these practices transform Pride into empathy, worry into stability, and self-centeredness into genuine care.

So here I am realizing that Pride isn’t just a moral “sin.” It’s also a signal of imbalance in body, mind, and spirit. Awareness is the first step. The next step is choosing balance one mindful, grounded action at a time.

And if you’d like a more personalized plan, you can always book a one-on-one session with me—either in person or virtually. Together, we can map out the path that’s right for your body and your spirit.