Embracing Our Complexity

Layers of Consciousness

We are multifaceted beings, us humans. To live is to fret a bit. To grow is to become aware of our multidimensional selves, the layers under layers under layers of consciousness, feelings, thoughts, desires.

Photo by Jorge Torres on Unsplash

Inner Village of Sub-Personalities

Some school of psychology talks about sub-personalities. Our sub-personalities can be in conflict with one another. It’s not a question of wearing different masks: it’s a matter of discovering different drives and needs, like an inner village within, of personalities vying for attention or power or recognition or peace.

Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

The Wisdom of Our Inner Characters

I think that by becoming aware of our many sub-personalities within, we can learn to accommodate different parts of who we are. We are not just ego, nor superego nor id. We’re a mix of all three. But neither are we just three centres of consciousness: we have very many more than just three.

Recognizing Our Sub-Personalities

I think to live happily is to strive to recognize our sub-personalities and to respect each of them. Each has something to teach us. Each is a gift.

Photo by Crispin Jones on Unsplash

Masks vs. Sub-Personalities

Masks are false identities which we put on. But sub-personalities subsist in the deep ocean of our minds and desires and hearts. They play in the depths of us, whales and minnows, sharks and dolphins. There’s a whole theatre of characters engaged in a drama deep within us.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Diving into the Deep Seas Within

In our youth, we may have feared to touch the waters of our consciousness, the unknown dark lake of our dreams, the high seas that can seem to threaten us. And yet to enter the waters is to explore who we are, awaken to the many different energies within us.

The Inner Journey vs. External Travels

I’m far more interested in exploring the world within than traveling the earth. I find the inner journey more satisfying, more surprising, more revealing. It may involve more risk and courage too.

Uncovering Truth Through Writing

Know thyself, said Socrates. Understand yourself. Dive in. Write your way in. See what you discover in your own deep seas.

Photo by Andrew Sharples on Unsplash

The Pen as a Tool for Self-Discovery

As we embrace the myriad aspects of ourselves, our sub-personalities, we gain inner harmony, self-knowledge and self-acceptance. Our pen can pierce the deep sea of our consciousness, unearthing treasures hidden within. So, let us dive in!

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Update on My Book

The pace of progress on my book has slowed. Lots of other things have been happening, things that had to be done. Important things. But I need to write. In a sense, I exist through writing.

Embracing the Rich Vein of Material

The ‘rich vein’ of material discovered recently is full of challenging things for me to write about, provoking my reflections above about sub-personalities. I’m meeting the challenge, but it’s taking longer than I expected. However, the book will be better as a result.