First class on the sefer Alai Shor by Rav Shlomo Volbe, z"l about "daas atzmeinu" (self knowledge) to find our way out of our own personal galus (exile). Rebbenu Yona pinpoints problem in our relationship with Hashem that we can go our entire lives without really thinking about our relationship with Hashem. The beginning of self-awareness is when we see our unlimited potential to become a great person and we see the illusions we hide behind. We are all "kavod schnorrers" (always looking for compliments). If a person has never stared at the ugliness of life it is very unlikely that he will reach the beauty of life. Story from Rav Shlomo Freifeld, z"l showing that you can know the entire Torah and yet have severe personality flaws.