yo.

In days of pondering who I am, I often see myself as overwhelmingly inspirational, influenced, diverse, and easily discouraged. I feel like my mind, my personality is sponge-like. I am a strong listener and learner, with even stronger opinions. Although I'm very cynical. I'm also at this point in my life where I am searching for who I am. I know most of you are past this point. But..

Who are you?



[time for a bong sesh, hope to see some replies]

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The Rev

You are God. Just take away all the things you used to describe yourself, because they can all change and you would still be you. Now look at what is left. If it can change, and you would still be you, take that away too. What is there after all of it is gone? You are God.



The Rev

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SageTree

Heh... were are they? I need to meet them


What Rev said is true.

There is no permanent or unchanging "I". There for there is no "I" to investigate outside the present moment. You weren't the same person when you typed this as you are now, physically and metaphysically. The "I" you perceive is based on the stimulus of cause and how that "I" reacts is the effect. But since the "I" is contingent on that, we have the amazing ability to approach each situation fresh and with choices, we don't HAVE to do what we did in the past. It's true, sometimes remember to look both ways across the street and such are good habits for preserving the body, which in my understanding is kept alive in order to help all sentient beings and strive for awakening.

This video is a good intro to what I'm trying to talk about.... Listen to the whole intro, it's a good laying out of Buddhist philosophy topically. Delve further if you would like.

You may enjoy this book on tape, so to speak. It definitely is part of and speaks to my understanding. But the practice is to experience these, just not understand, on that I too am constantly looking at this "I" and how it's assertions of permanence fool and trick me into believing the story the concept of "I" tells me.



I hope this has some merit for you and helps you in your seeking.


Sageji

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yo.

Gotta lot of algebra to get done, I'll peep the vid later.

Thanks for the responses though guys.
'always love the wise and kind words of you two.

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SageTree

heh... we are the cheech and chong of that realm

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SmokeaJoint

I can't tell you who you are, but I know who I am. A stoner. Nah thats just my PT gig. I am. Thats all I can say, thats all I can know. We are all just vague impressions, shadows flitting across the back walls of Plato's Cave. Philosophical, eh?

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SageTree

Ah yes, but are still IN the cave or have you seen the sun?

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SmokeaJoint

I personally am totally still in the cave. I just barely realized there was a cave, now I gotta figure out where the exit is. Metaphorically speaking of course.

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Grieves

I am grieves...

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Sugar420

just electro-chemical waves and reactions happening in a meat machine that exists as an emergent property of the universe

stoneric

"ah, who the fuck are you........"

BudSniffer

I feel like I am somewhat like you, except the cynical part. I feel like I am a combination of many, but still an individual. I have an open mind, but I have set ideas and opinions. I am humble, but I see my place in the world. I have respect for all life, but know that it will end. I don't let society influence who I am, for I am me I have contempt for wealth, but I am rich in the experiences of life itself!
But most of all I am comfortable being me, no matter where I am or who I am with, no macho man, no show, no embarrassment, no shame, just down to earth, plain and simply me.........

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"Nobody thinks the way that I do, I guess nobody dares. My head's so full of things, I set my mind free of them. I'm breaking the rules, breaking all the rules. " -Ozzy Osbourne

yo.

SaJ, I didn't ask you to tell me who I was.
Also, on a side note, I feel like you strive to post the most agreeable things sometimes, instead of what you actually think/would like to say. I say this because it always sounds like you're just reiterating things in your own words.

I say this because you basically reiterated what the Rev said but with out the "God" and tried making it philosophical through humor? Which is oxymoronic, imo.



Awesome response Bud.


And Veda, don't you want to be more than just a meat machine? I mean, YOU aren't just that meat machine. And technically you aren't that body at all. You are the intangible mind, which has characteristics, which is basically what makes up who you are.

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SmokeaJoint

Well, I didn't read the Rev's post, and he never mentioned Plato's wall so... IDK where you got that from. Also, if I strive to post agreeable things, why is it I'm always in flaming wars with peeps? Hmm. I just post what I think as I think it. Not a problem is it?

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reverie

Identity is a really messed up process. When you have a life to live, people to satisfy and a job to grunt for. Identity can be such a struggle, you're continuously relating yourself to your environment.

Who am I? You look around, you see whats out there. Do you identify? We apply ourselves where we see similarities..and sometimes where we want to see similarities.

There is much truth to be said in some what of the other posters said, about oneself not being fixed or defined. (I like the word defined because really, it shows the human desire to name and understand things.) These are vital points because of the nature of all things, they change; emotions, perspectives, brain activity, cells, matter - all change. Therefore who you are, isn't an ultimatum. You may have inclinations due to the culmination of processes in your life. But to me, you are really more just an observer of all this.


With all of that said, Identity is still very important. Why? Because it helps us gauge where we are. We apply identities to other things to help us understand them. Ie: A rock is hard, usually round in shape. A feather is light, soft. etc. We yearn to understand things because it helps prepare us for action. We can better logically rationalize with the more information we have. The same logic can be applied to why we yearn to have an identity for ourselves. How are we supposed to be characterized? Act? Look? If we have those answers, it makes the guessing game a lot easier. Less time consuming.

But theoretically if you took that away. If you took away our desire for identities. We may be more free, but I think with the functional type society we have in the North West, we would suffer...We simply arent allowed the time to be Gods or to be free from labels. And part of me believes that identity is part of what is fundamentally Human. It is the human experience, the wonder, the curiosity, the challenge. I personally enjoy fully embracing it. Hey I'm here now right?

With that said, My name is Sarah I enjoy poetry, making music, guitar, dance, yoga, meditating, dorky documentaries, books and silly adventures. I tend to be open minded but equally stubborn. I try everyday to learn something more about myself and grow as an individual.

Thanks for sharing yourself That ever-evolving self

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Elegies and Reveries to No One. Aka: Poetry and shit.

yo.

No problem, but there is no "flame war."

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yo.

Thanks Sarah!! You are awesome

and this definitely helped out a lot! Damn girl, thanks again.
Awesome post...

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reverie

Thank you! Anytime. I'm just glad you found something in my post.

Peace and love.

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Elegies and Reveries to No One. Aka: Poetry and shit.

BibleGuy

I am a human in the process of becoming, just like you. I am an intelligent, autonomous organism/cell swimming through this Earth-blood that we call air, wanting to care for, be cared for by, and be in harmony with all other organisms/cells while we all, together, care for the larger organism of which we are a part. It too is part of a larger organism which is also part of a larger organism... organism... organism... organism...

And I am a universe... having myriad organisms and cells within "me" that I desire to be happy, healthy and harmonious as they care for each other and the larger organism of which they are all a part. Still... the essense of "me" is something even greater than this physical manifestation.

Ha.. I just remembered:

Larry: [to Jennings, while high] Okay. That means that our whole solar system could be, like one tiny atom in the fingernail of some other giant being. [Jennings nods] This is too much! That means one tiny atom in my fingernail could be--
Jennings: Could be one little tiny universe.
Larry: Could I buy some pot from you?

yo.

awesome responses.

I think Higher Thoughts will be my new hangout.

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