My sense of self definitely is a creation -- however, it is a creation of much more than my mind -- it is a creation of consciousness of which I am a part. And my mind is also a creation of that same consciousness. I began becoming aware of myself as an "integrative psychological system," not that I ever knew or used that term, more than 40 years ago and have been developing as an "integrative psychological system" ever since, and probably long before. I am a system that is part of larger and larger systems, and I am in the process, three steps forward and two steps backward, of becoming more and more whole with self, others, and all that is. For me, that is what life is about. Knowing that I am a unique expression of Creation, with the opportunity, responsibility and privilege to be that, helps me respect myself. Of course I don't dismiss myself because I am a creation -- everything is a creation -- I value myself as a creation. The thing to dismiss is the false or illusory self that thinks it is separate and all that is.
On Sep 1, 2018 david doane wrote :
My sense of self definitely is a creation -- however, it is a creation of much more than my mind -- it is a creation of consciousness of which I am a part. And my mind is also a creation of that same consciousness. I began becoming aware of myself as an "integrative psychological system," not that I ever knew or used that term, more than 40 years ago and have been developing as an "integrative psychological system" ever since, and probably long before. I am a system that is part of larger and larger systems, and I am in the process, three steps forward and two steps backward, of becoming more and more whole with self, others, and all that is. For me, that is what life is about. Knowing that I am a unique expression of Creation, with the opportunity, responsibility and privilege to be that, helps me respect myself. Of course I don't dismiss myself because I am a creation -- everything is a creation -- I value myself as a creation. The thing to dismiss is the false or illusory self that thinks it is separate and all that is.