RSSSelf
What is Self? I suppose the first answer on anyone’s mind is “me.” Most people consider themselves a Self. But, do most people know what that means? Because if one does not have a clue about the meaning of Self, how can one have confidence in it? How can one have confidence in something they don’t know?
Here is my definition: Self is a being that chooses. And Self doesn’t care what others perceive about whatever choice is made. Self stands alone when everyone else stands with others. Self is certain. Self is defiant. And Self is sufficient. I’ll stand with that. Self is not this inherent quality that comes with birth. It is developed. One has particular circumstances in his or her life, makes choices according to those circumstances, and ends up where one ends up. Self isn’t this huge secret that no one knows about-although some make it seem that way. It is a being in front of one’s face-or inside one’s face, one’s mind. The being just has to be accepted.
I think a lot of people spend a lot of time in nonacceptance. Why? I suppose they are afraid. What’s the fear? Themselves. My suggestion: Instead of spending time on rejection, spend time on acceptance. And if one doesn’t know what a Self is, spend time on figuring it out. Don’t fear what one might find. One might actually like it. From my very youthful experience, people always speak upon things that they like-with utmost confidence.
14 Comments, Comment or Ping
TROUBLdMami
I believe Self is an evolution. I believe Self is discovery. At some point we uncover many mysteries, truths and illusions we have of ourselves whether we are comfortable with what we find or not…At that point I believe that is where we battle or thoroughly critique our discoveries, facing them because they wont go away by themselves, coming to a solution or some sort of understanding and finally believing in Self. As we grow, as we continuously learn, Self as we know, changes. However, there are certain fundamental and foundational things of Self that shall and will remain.
[Reply]
alwayswrite
I don’t think there are any foundational or fundamental things about Self. Once we get here and exist, the creation process begins from a clean slate. Nothing is on it until we put something on it. So, there are no preexisting elements present for Self. Everything is created out of nothing.
[Reply]
Malia
TROUBLDMAMI———–Very insightful answer sis! We are constantly growing and learning, who I am today isn’t who I was last year, or even last week! When we receive information we filter it into a compartmentalized set of beliefs. What I did, felt, or thought yesterday may not be the same thing I do, feel, or think today - depending on the circumstances that presented themselves the last time and the choices I made. I try to filter out all the bad and use the past as my benchmark on WHAT NOT TO DO AGAIN!!!! EXAMPLE: If I was hurt by someone yestarday, I damn sure won’t be calling that person today. Over time we begin to KNOW who we are at the core essence of our being and that is what I call KNOWLEDGE OF SELF….
ALWAYSWRITE————-I’m curious…are you an agnostic or atheist? I have a hard time believing that I evolved from a long lineage of frogs/monkeys etc. or that I was created out of “THE BIG BANG THEORY” or that I’m some kind of cosmic accident. I am a strong believer in God (not religion), there is a huge difference…..and my God is infinite and omnipresent…inherent in ALL THINGS! I was created in HIS IMAGE (the ultimate compliment) and so my spirit is always trying to become more and more like HIM who created me.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
Self is discovery. It’s not a bad thing until we look inward, applying others perceptions and perspectives. That’s when self is confused, when all we know about self is based on our position to others. At that level we allow others to set the tone. Self is a state of mind.
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
MALIA
At what level do you separate Self and God. Describe the separation.
[Reply]
Malia
TROUBLMAN———–I completely agree that too many of us base our self image on others. Part of that stems from wanting to be accepted so we morph into whatever suits our needs at the moment. If a child is crying we become nuturing. If a woman is crying we want to get far far away—-strange but true. If a child makes a mistake even a bad one, we choose to believe the best and forgive, if a man makes a mistake, sometimes a small one, we shove it down his throat and never let him live it down. So instead of being judged for our idiosyncrisies and insecurities we BECOME whatever the other person needs us to be. FAKE!!!! It’s only when we pull down those masks and deciside to dive into life or maybe do a cannon-ball that we are being GENUINE and not a replicated robot of fears, insecurities, judgements, blah, blah blah!!! There’s nothing wrong with looking inward, there’s nothing wrong to acknowlege other people’s perceptions and perspectives—-but there is something wrong if we define ourselves by it. I am a myriad of things….a mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a lover, and to be forced with a label would actually be stifling my growth and smothering my creativity!
THERE’S IS NO LEVEL FOR ME OF SEPARATION FROM GOD AND SELF!!!! Just like a fish needs water to live, I need God! Just like a plant needs soil, I need God! It’s that simple. I am an extension of God just as a branch on a tree. I am responsible for my own actions, thoughts, emotions and free will to do what I want, but my conncetion to Him is usaually my guiding force in making decisions. I say usually because I CAN GO WAYYYYYYYYYYY LEFT and I KNOW that I am not doing what I KNOW deep down in my core that I should be doing….so I guess that answers your question - when I choose to do wrong when I know what I shoukd be doing——I HAVE SEPARATED MYSELF!
[Reply]
RBT
I think the one of the ways to discover self is to be real and/or honest with self only then can you breakdown the walls and labels that they try to trap you in The key is to discover ones self then develope and mold yourself into the entity you want to be
[Reply]
alwayswrite
Malia,
Self and God is only an issue when you BELIEVE IN GOD, which I do. However, if you have an atheist that’s not even an issue. In fact, for non-believers, Self is all there is. For believers, Self and God are still distinct, because Self and God are different. Self and God have different properties. God is perfect, forever, etc. We are not. There is your distinction. Self, if you are a believer, is working to acquire the properties of God, though it will never happen. However, the try should not therefore be simply forfeited. That is the mission of Self, in my opinion, to work for the acquisition. That, in my opinion, is what God expects of us.
[Reply]
Malia
ALWAYSWRITE——
I feel like jumping up and down and saying “HERCULES, HERCULES……” I love your response but since you aren’t here to impress me you probably don’t care (smile)….your esoteric version is the same as my spiritual one when broken down….in our genuine state were are gods created by the ALMIGHTY GOD and being children of GOD and partakers of HIS devine nature gives us access to supernatural favor, blessings, help, covering, guidance, etc. We are always trying to imitate our creator, so it is important to have a relationship with the Father in order to know HIS ways.
We are each still very unique individuals - hence “SELF”and we should celebrate our beautiful distinctions!
[Reply]
TROUBLMan
MALIA
I love your cannon ball analogy. I usually describe it as jumping off the edge. I’ve been jumping off the edge for a long time now. It’s hard when you love people who have have the fears and insecurities and don’t want to jump with you. I’m the let’s hold hand and take the leap type…
To me God, is the power that runs thru everything. Therefore he/she/it can’t be separated from anything. Even the bad decisions we make.
[Reply]
brutha66
Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.
[Reply]
Malia
TROUBLMAN—-I sincerely believe that too!!!! Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even US!!!!!
……and holding hands free falling sounds like fun! I wish everybody felt that way!!!
[Reply]
"A Mom"
As I always say self came to me in adulthood. I never looked at myself until I became selfless. I had my first child and it became about someone beside me. I see myself thru my children but I define self by how I walk and talk in this world.
[Reply]
alwayswrite
Brutha,
Defining Self is hard. But, take a different perspective. Don’t try to define it. Any definition you compose, will change the next day, because Self is changing. If you must find a definition for your Self, “Your Self is forever changing.” That attitude allows more freedom and makes the difficulty less daunting. Try it out. Give yourself a break. Your Self is good. If you don’t like it today, it changes anyway. You’ll probably like it tomorrow.
[Reply]
Reply to “Self”
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