Being what we are we look for models to help us understand. This is not good or bad. It is how we are and how we make "progress".
Suppose we set aside the models in this case, at least for a while. And just ask "who am I?". Just keep asking and see what comes out of it.
Let's see. I have a family name, grandparents, parents, siblings, job, house, car ..... an endless list of things that I use to define me. Is that the answer to "who am I?".
When all that is stripped away (and it can happen in flash), then who am I?
I am just a body, mind and a collection of ideas ..... sitting, standing .... having lost all those things that I thought were helping define me.
So I am not any of those things. Am I the collection of ideas in my head? There are many ... all transient. Which sub-collection is me? For how long?
All I have is the feeling of being something. It is vague at first, because I am preoccupied with thinking, saying, writing, opinions, winning, getting, rewarding, punishing, feeling proud, feeling ashamed .......
When that preoccupation goes (which is not easy), that feeling of being something is there ..... stronger.
That seems to be the starting point. The rest, including the subconscious, takes care of itself.
It is all personal. But who or what is the person? |
