Self-discovery has always held a spiritual connotation to me, but I never gave it a thought. I used to think, "Why would I need to discover myself? Don't I already know who I am?" However, as the years have gone by, my internal dialogue has become plagued with self-doubt.
Who am I really? Do I truly know myself? Does such a thing as 'me' even exist? And what is my purpose?
Who are you? Do you truly know yourself? Do you really exist as "yourself"? What is your purpose?
Philosophy has long toyed with the question of what it means to be a human and how to live a meaningful life. At the heart of this inquiry lies the journey of self-discovery, a process of exploring one's own beliefs, values, and understanding of the world. But why is this journey so important? Why must we seek out our own truth, rather than simply accepting the beliefs and traditions that have been handed down to us?
Our lives before the age of 18 are heavily influenced by our guardians - parents and teachers - the content we consume and the people we surround ourselves with shape us into who we are. But when we choose a career, a college or a trade, is that truly us making the choice? Our options are limited by our circumstances and surroundings, and we often choose fields that are financially secure or subjects we excel in. These jobs and trades, however, are relatively recent developments in human history and cannot be what defines us as humans or our purpose in life.
Maybe our purpose and selves are constantly evolving. Before 18, our purpose is to learn. After 18, it's to contribute to society. By 30, it's to start and support a family, and after 60, it's to retire and wait for lady death. But not everyone has to take these steps, not everyone wants a family or a conventional career path. These are merely societal roles and not our purpose.
Our beliefs and assumptions, taught to us by society, play a significant role in shaping our lives. When so much of our life is made up by others, It's crucial to seek our own truth. In this vast and complex world, you are a contributing part of the society because you have your job, relationships, responsibilities and your goals...... but in all this, where are you? What makes you.... you? Where are your answers? Everything you have is from others.
The journey of self-discovery is quest to finding answers for yourself. By peeling back the layers of societal norms and expectations, we can delve deeper into our inner selves, find answers to the questions that matter most to us, and reclaim our individuality.
"Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse is a story that shows transformative power of self-discovery. Siddhartha. the protagonist of the novel embarks on a journey to gain a deeper understanding of the world, and realizes that the answers to life's questions cannot be found by merely following the teachings of others. He must question the beliefs and traditions passed down to him, and find his own understanding of the world through personal experience and introspection.
"The answers to life's questions cannot be found by merely following the teachings of others." -- This really stuck with me. Self-discovery should be a personal journey, but often it feels like navigating uncharted territories. In these moments, it's natural to seek guidance from others, such as teachers, gurus, or even the internet. However, it's important to remember that these sources of information are also human who are on their own journey towards self-discovery.
Wisdom comes from experience, not from listening to the teachings of others' experiences. While they may offer helpful insights, the true sense of purpose and fulfillment can only come from discovering your own answers. If you look for directions from others, it streamlines your path towards a specific road.
I just told you to find your purpose and look for answers. And also barred you from seeking answers or guidance. But there are a few approaches you can take--
Before we find ourselves, we need to understand what's inside us, and what's out in the world. Start with embracing new ideas and experiences, and have the courage to delve into our own thoughts and feelings. It also means letting go of preconceived notions and being open to seeing the world from different perspectives.
Balance is crucial in the journey of self-discovery, as extreme asceticism or indulgence cannot lead to true wisdom. Instead, we must find a balance between the material and spiritual, and avoid becoming too attached to either.
You cannot find a path if you aren't aware of its existence. Expand your knowledge by reading, as it broadens your perspective and strengthens your ideas and opinions. Read opposing perspectives and make your own judgement. Utilize your freedom of self-discover by exploring different paths and choose one for yourself, instead of seeking answers from others.
In conclusion, the journey of self-discovery is a lifelong process that involves exploring one's own truth and understanding of the world. It requires courage, openness, and balance, and can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. By seeking out our own truth, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and ultimately, find peace and contentment.
Consider this a starting point. This after all is a condensed form of my thoughts. I hope this intrigues you to start exploring. Read more. Explore more. Live more.
