What we identify with in our lives is an extremely important measure with which to gauge the multiplicity of things that make us up. Of course, one's identity is just that, the thing that we use to measure ourselves over other things; it doesn't mistake itself for something else or keep itself hidden. If you identify with a particular race, for instance, you now are that race and the totality of that which is a part of that race (its culture, history, values). If you identify with a particular country, that country will give you its identification involuntarily and for free, giving you a nice bill-fold card with a serial number. As it is often fun to look at, let's look at the etymology of the word "identity". As majority of words in the English language go, it is a Latin root: idem meaning "sameness" or "wholeness" with the -ity suffix meaning the "state of". So all together, "identity" means "the state of wholeness or oneness". Wow, doesn't that sound like something else you've heard before, especially in the spiritual journey world? This is also the definition of "non-dual" thinking which is perhaps the ultimate "goal", if it is a thing to "pursue". That the universe is one, we are all one. Well... What about the individual? Where does personal identity, responsibility , and action come in? Continued in Part II...
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2020
Categories
All
Email Marketing Services by Benchmark |