Persona, Places & Plans

Self narration creates both an identifying and directing perspective. We learn to be our own voice and the believe in its story. Because we are "agents" see the world as objects which we relate to and manipulate. Even other humans (animals) that have there own agency are "placed" on the stage of our mind.

There is an awkward balance of perceived control and terror as we construct the acts of our play as we live them. The string of "one acts" in that most immediate "now" and those stretching series of mapped episodes create the fabric of our identity as reality.

The Center Unfolds

From our earliest experiences we are absorbing our environment and projecting our interests back into it. In our initial interactions we act more than interact as instinct must lead. As interactions build, our models take structure and create a "perceptual expectation" of our actions and our results.

The sense of being and self develop to a highly mature and deep illusion. The concept and perception of an I - a self - others... is a common psychological truth with some basis in the physical. This "I" accentuation is most prominent in Western cultures where memes such as "Self Reliance", "Personal Responsibility", and "the rights of the individual" dominate.

With this concentrated focus and the disintegration of a communal habitus we have become isolation. The degree of isolation is exhibited a continuing rise in neurotic and pathological behavior.

We have been trained to listen to ourselves at the expense of our humanity.

I Looked and there It Was!

One of our greatest abilities is to see the world as a self - to have perspective. But that perspective of perspective is paradoxical. Where am "I" and "who" is writing this story? There is a common affect of being a "me" just behind my eyes inside my skull - really?

There is no way to look any further! Meditation and other forms of awareness and attention focus can't resolve this sense - it is our conscious "I".

With all that amazing focus, from this "I" point out, it is equally amazing how we forget this apparition. The world writes most of our life in non-conscious experience but still. This most exquisite "I" gets lost in trance.

So, we experience a world we do not know and lose the most unifying perspective we have...

Who's on First

How do we direct ourselves? The assumption that the "I" behind your eyes is "in control" has been dispelled by neuroscience. Does this mean we shouldn't even "try" to control ourselves? Should we just continue assuming we have control even when our decisions come before conscious recognition.

These "self-management" and "responsibility" dilemmas are not as insidious as being blind to the communal nature of our physical and psychological being - our ecology.

Instead of "director" as self, why not consider living in your ensemble of being?

Time's Tiny Tyranny

Since we are "here and now", when that does come to us, we are immediately cast into our role as Director in Chief of Body & Soul. Perspective is biologically built into experience and presence.

But the opportunities in culturing a suspension of perspective and control are great. They may lead to a more complete and learning experience for your whole being, conscious and non-conscious.