Very young children seem to think that everyone, and everything is part of them. Growing up is a process of becoming smaller. After all in a womb, a child is the universe. What else is there? Only self.
But from birth on, an individual has to add and keep adding to the "not me" column.
I am sure this is traumatic, to some extent- after all it must be pretty satisfying to the ego to think it is alone and supreme. But there is a transformation in learning about others, and later learning about the needs of others. First we separate from others, later we learn to empathize. It would be too big a leap to do both those things at once.
I think with empathy and reason, one can evolve a very moral life.
I think life is a progression from the me, to the not me, and then- with wisdom, and empathy, back to the me. Because really, when you consider how related everything is, or at least everything that concerns YOU- and that's everything - it all is you.
I am NOT on drugs. It just sounds that way tonight. Too many sugar cookies perhaps? |
