Each morning when we wake up, we go through a process where we orient ourselves back into our bodies and regain our external definitions. The same is true following a period of deep meditation or sedation.
So where exactly do "YOU" go when you
sleep? Science struggles with this aspect of consciousness. While it clearly understands what it is from a bio-chemical perspective, it is unable to go beyond empirical observation into those aspects of our conscious identity that we all know to be true. In other words, non-physical reality exists.
Because the external aspects of reality are so pervasive, many people simply accept
those definitions as their sole form of identity. Our zip code, W-2, job title, career and hobbies are those things that INDEX us and we easily accept them as our identity / self. When things are going well in a prosperous environment this may seem normal, but for those who have no access to such indexes or those who struggle to possess them, the resulting message is that they don't have an identity. It's creates an ontological dilemma
(I exist, but where is God?)
TV shows are often based on people who have every physical advantage in the world yet have an awful state of being. Correspondingly, there are those that have almost nothing, but are the richest, deepest people we'll ever meet.
That latter comes from the internally defined self.
Most religions tap into this reality, as do many philosophies, ideologies and
psychology. Often we see a message that tells us that the external definitions are false, and the internal definitions are what really count.
Rock & roll and much of modernity has attached itself to this reality. We are told to devalue external measures and learn to just be ourselves. While this has had a liberating impact on our world, this really is only asking the previous question from another angle, namely:
- How does one become themselves if they don't use external indexes?
- How can we be true to ourselves?
Do you see the problem? These all presuppose internal reality, which as I've shown goes beyond empirical observation.
I'm going to say something a bit controversial, but try and hear it, even if you lack the necessary categories to understand it. (I'll get to those next
week)
The pursuit of self and the pursuit of God are the ultimately the same pursuit.
- We cannot seek to know our self without spiritual exploration.
- We cannot seek to know God without self exploration.
The deepest self is in fact
internally defined because it is the only aspect that outlasts all externals. The essence or spirit of a person lives on beyond their bodies.
Next week we will explore the result of integrating both internal and external measures. It is the life we all seek.
