what does to begin with mean?

Question

But to follow this will it is necessary to know it, and above all to distinguish it from the particular will, beginning with one's self.

my problem is that I can not understand what BEGINNING WITH means here. Would you please tell me, if am I correctly explain this part of sentence BEGINNING WITH SOMETHING?

To begin with some thing, in this sentence, means at the start of a process, event, or situation

And, what about this sentence? has that part(begin with something) the same meaning with the following?

The recommendation from all authorities is to begin with diet.

Answer 1

Study these sentences -

You should educate everybody, beginning with yourself - First you start educating yourself and then spread it to everyone around.

And,

The teachers wanted to educate everyone in the village. But they said it should begin with the village-head.

In both sentences, begin mean -to start. In former, it's used in progressive form and in the latter it's simple form.

See various verb forms here.