I am not my car
I am not my bank account
I am not this blog
I am not my bank account
I am not this blog
Personal identity can be defined in a number of ways. These definitions are rarely agreed upon, as everyone has their own identity; and everyone has their own idea of what their identity is comprised of. However, as unique as each person's identity is, there are many overlapping factors that are universal to just about everyone within a certain demographic.
Take for instance the average North American. The majority of the public places great emphasis on their positions in society, their financial wealth, their material possessions, etc,. A lot of people believe these things define who they are, when it is in fact the individual who gives definition to these things. Your bank account doesn't exist until you open it. Your car doesn't go anywhere until you buy and subsequently drive it. The position in your company is vacant until you, or someone else fills it. You are not the things in your life.
Most people's lives would collapse if all of these things were taken away, and they do. Think of the countless news articles about people killing others and themselves when they lose their job; or, think of the countless people who have made poor financial decisions, how their lives have spiralled out of control until they're either mad or homeless, or both. We've grown to believe that these things are us so much that we simply cannot live without them.
But these things are not us. They do not have meaning until we place meaning upon them. We must learn to see these things for the trivialities that they are. However, to do this, a truly objective mind is required, and that's easier said than done. So try to imagine your life without everything that you think makes your life, your life. Now try to define this new life. If that's too hard to do, go live in a Buddhist retreat for a week, or try living as a homeless person. Because it is only when you have lost everything, that you are free to do anything.
Take for instance the average North American. The majority of the public places great emphasis on their positions in society, their financial wealth, their material possessions, etc,. A lot of people believe these things define who they are, when it is in fact the individual who gives definition to these things. Your bank account doesn't exist until you open it. Your car doesn't go anywhere until you buy and subsequently drive it. The position in your company is vacant until you, or someone else fills it. You are not the things in your life.
Most people's lives would collapse if all of these things were taken away, and they do. Think of the countless news articles about people killing others and themselves when they lose their job; or, think of the countless people who have made poor financial decisions, how their lives have spiralled out of control until they're either mad or homeless, or both. We've grown to believe that these things are us so much that we simply cannot live without them.
But these things are not us. They do not have meaning until we place meaning upon them. We must learn to see these things for the trivialities that they are. However, to do this, a truly objective mind is required, and that's easier said than done. So try to imagine your life without everything that you think makes your life, your life. Now try to define this new life. If that's too hard to do, go live in a Buddhist retreat for a week, or try living as a homeless person. Because it is only when you have lost everything, that you are free to do anything.
The world needs saving
Not from some external force
Rather from itself
Not from some external force
Rather from itself
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