"The human condition is our predicament of having to live with a sense of guilt. Understanding dissolves the guilt: the origin of all human upset was our instinctive self's unjust criticism of our conscious mind's necessary efforts to find understanding." -- http://www.worldtransformation.com/Beyond/StoryOfHomo.html
Although I am Buddhist, this book Beyond the Human Condition, echoes both in Buddhism and in most religions.
The purpose of Buddhist practice is to moderate instinct so that intellect may better integrate itself with that which is moderated. Indeed, what is ego but the cause and condition of human existence. Though the mind itself is the means by which one controls the ego, that which is blown out is the consciousness of ego as permanent.
How does one control the ego? First, through breath meditation, to develop calm insight; and second, through meditation on loving-kindness, to develop compassion for others. Through meditation, ego is appeased, and made tame by mindful practice.
Eventually, as a result of meditation, one lets go of being conscious of a mind which exists after death. In its place arises the spiritual mind, which consists ego and mind as one. As well, the mind develops a compassionate aspect to complement its rational aspect that appeases the ego.
None of this accomplished by meditation alone; it has to be done by practising what one learns, in addition to meditation i.e. through work and play.
Thus, I use Buddhism to understand myself. In understanding myself comes acceptance of the human condition. It is acceptance that represents the mind's ability to live peaceably with a sense of guilt.
IMHO sharing this understanding with others is done to relieve that sense of guilt.
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