ruminations on spiritual development

my ruminations are focused on spiritual underdevelopment--more specifically, the type of spirit that is driven by self satisfaction; we see examples of this on people we observe trying to always gain an advantage over other, regardless of how small or insignificant -- unfortunately, many confuse this type of behavior with ambition -- but it isn't ambition. It's a predatory instinct that continues to drive these lesser developed spirits. You see this on the individual who will cheat you out of a dollar here and there--although that dollar will make no difference in the state of his financial affairs; we see it in the individual who must always get his or her way with others--they gain an inner satisfaction from manipulating those they see as weaker--and these are the same spirits who perceive generosity as a weakness to exploit. You often see this in "friends" who are always ready to let you pay their way, or who will wait for you to pay their way, although they have the means to take care of themselves; we see it in those individuals who will make use of the property of others while their own property remains untouched and in pristine state; borrow money from friends knowing the friend will not ask for it or is too embarrassed or ashamed to ask for it; by doing this, these individuals are "getting one over you" -- they are abusing your generosity or they are taking advantage of your feelings (you are generous because you believe they are your friends while they are simply taking advantage); or they even take advantage of your ignorance in the case where you are not aware of what they are doing to you -- in fact, often these individuals revel in the belief that they are getting one over you and you are not seeing it--and the most curious thing is that they see nothing wrong with this behavior. To them this is the right way to behave. In fact, they will influence, or try to influence, those around them to behave in the same manner and often will encourage and teach children this behavior--this may seem like a minor infraction, but it is part of a larger pattern of behavior that these individuals/spirits exhibit throughout their existence--until they elevate and see beyond their pursuit of vain gains, until they overcome their baser predatory instincts. Of course, it is not uncommon for these predatory users to find weak individuals who in some warp way enjoy being used or taken advantage of--another spiritual form of underdevelopment -- one must assert one needs, wants, desires and ones rights so that we can achieve spiritual fulfillment as individuals and move toward cooperation and support as a race.