I do admire your ability to articulate your self reflection, Ash, and always enjoy the read. I myself am at a point where I find the analysis falling way, except in observation of what is occurring in the moment for me, especially in the way I relate to others, my experience and the world. This is not to say I consciously reflect on it, construing scenarios in my mind or creating psychodramas to act out upon (although I have, and let go of that behavior when I found the integrity that was missing and allowed it.) No, for me, what comes up in the moment is all that seems worth attention, and if memories, knowledge, feelings, needs desires, values are included, they are always the ones true to myself, as that same integrity as mentioned before now allows continuity of self. Integrating all aspects of self takes self respect, reverence for life, and commitment to all as one. If I see myself falling out of integrity in the moment, as we all seem to do from time to time, it is usually an initiation into greater possibility.
I enjoyed the article attached because it seemed to me an invitation to "expand the boundaries" of self, to include all of life, and in so doing, find that compassionate communication necessary to live in peace. Currently, the entire world does not live in peace. We can see that by watching the news. But there are folks that do. I know some. It is possible. Part of doing that involves the introspective process you so beautifully describe above. The alternative is entertaining our internal conflicts and inflicting them on others by engaging in conflict in our relations. We can see enough of it in this group to understand how destructive it can be. I am not talking about diverse viewpoint and opinion, but the lack of mutual respect, the belittling and diminishing of the other's view. Violent language is a beginning to violence in relations. And this begins when our own internal conflicts are not recognized as such, but projected and imposed outwardly. It may just be, that when asked "who would you like to be?" the warrior identified with and addicted to violence may include this in his answer. The possibilities are endless, but we realize our own. On Feb 20, 12:17 am, Ash <[email protected]> wrote: > I think I would like to be myself, with the feeling that I am living out > my purpose. How great, but who and what that is, I wonder... > > There is much purpose I could derive from my understanding of things and > meaning from my experiences. It seems there is an overabundance of > opinions on matters and directions to follow which makes it difficult to > develop a sense of continuity. There are some powerful practical > worldviews out there, but I've seen them as dangerous like a prison for > the mind. There are many things I would not like to be and have plenty > of first hand examples in mind. There must be more than avoiding pain > and suffering, or seeking power and dominance though they may provide > valuable lessons about a larger picture. > > I would like to embrace my potentials, freely navigate possible paths, > augment my limitations, overcome my challenges all while being true to > the self (knowledge, memories, feelings, needs, desires, values). I > think this cannot be done by supressing myself but with affirmative > compassion and rational analysis of the self. Too much experience with > the former makes this a struggle, but since there were reasons for > taking that path I have to determine its meaning and seek > reconciliation. From this process might arise an answer to your question. > > On 2/18/2010 9:27 AM, Molly wrote: > > > > > Expanding Identities > > > Who am I? > > > How you answer that question says a lot, not just about how you see > > yourself, but also about how you see others and how you relate to the > > world. And it s an important question at this time in history when the > > challenges of our global community are drawing us out of limited > > identities based on "me" and "mine" into identities based on the "we" > > of the whole planet. > > > Identities help us find our way in the world, navigate challenges and > > make choices. They can be founded on anything from the color of our > > skin or religious orientation, to goals we have achieved or dreams we > > hold. Often during times of stress those boundaries can contract and > > tighten we protect what is ours more rigorously and separate ourselves > > from the needs of others. > > > But times of struggle can also be motivation to expand our boundaries. > > Instead of contracting around our own needs, we can open to the needs > > of others, share resources, and choose to cooperate. As we do so, our > > identities shift and the separation between "me" and "you" or "us" and > > "them" seems less compelling and defining. But how can this happen? > > Where do we start? > > > Its not easy letting go of strong identifications, opening to those > > who are different than us, or finding ways to share resources and live > > together peacefully. Expanding our identities is our choice, and our > > imperative. We can restrict ourselves around a small "me" or around an > > impenetrable group boundary. Or we can discover ways to relate more > > deeply to others and life itself. It may be that not only our own > > wellbeing, but the long-term viability of the entire earth is at > > stake. It is up to each of us to answer and live the question, moment > > by moment: Who would I like to be? > > >http://www.globalonenessproject.org/themes/expanding-identities > > > What do you think?- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en.
