Harry's Power is Self-sacrifice... or Selflessness?

[samnanya]

No: HPFGUIDX 78566

I have read the arguments here for love, hope, etc. but the one power 
that I believe is being referred to is self-sacrifice. 
samnanya
 
bboy_mn:
I'm going to agree with you and disagree with you. I think you might
be on the right track but didn't quite choose the right word.
I think the key characteristic of Harry as well as Ron and Hermione is
not self-sacrifice, but selflessness which includes but goes beyond
self-sacrifice. It is the sense that there are things greater and more
important than yourself. Harry constantly puts the needs of other 
over his own safety. He constantly acts for the greater good in ways 
the put him at risk.

I know this is a subtle distinction, but I think it is important.
Selflessness includes self-sacrifice but also includes principles and
actions that go much deeper into the emotions, motivation, and spirit.
Just a thought.
bboy_mn

-------------------
samnanya again .....
We all have the right to our opinions of course, but selflessness 
does not include self-sacrifice, because self-sacrifice is permanent -
- no turning back -- lily didnt have a second vote whether what she 
did for Harry was right or wrong or whatever.... she did it because 
she believed in the ultimate self-sacrifice - the giving of her life 
so that another can endure

Selflessness is reversible self-sacrifice is not -- and therefore it 
SS is MUCH more powerful and dangerous to study .....

Think about it this way ..... if you walk into the secret room in the 
MoM and discover that it contains the key to selflessness, I would 
think that you would be in a not too scary place where all you can 
lose is your ego or your posessions, not necessarily a bad thing. In 
fact  you survive and endure ....

Now think about the other room .... you walk in and the first thing 
you might see is are the people dear to you about to die unless you 
do something about it NOW ...... well then ,,,,how many of us can let 
go ? or would want to make the sacrifice? thats why it is more 
powerful and that is why it is so securely guarded..... i dont think 
you would want to get locked in there by accident.


once again my opinion,,,, but then again, which room would YOU rather 
be in ???
samnanya