How do you stay true to yourself? Is it worth conflicts with society?

[blind_fury]

Being called sad by you is like being called irritating by Paris Hilton...

Nice!

 

[Eros]

The thread asks a very vague question, and refuses to tell you why.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

What does it mean to stay true to yourself? From a philosophical standpoint of course.

From a philosophical standpoint it would mean to be a true individual, to embody that which is yours and not a creation of the outside world. To come to morals and motivations based on your own reason and wisedom rather than relying on those around you to dictate to you that which is right.

 

[blind_fury]

Desire. That how you stay true to yourself. Desire to life according to your terms regardless of the circumstances and regardless of how many times you fail...even if it conflicts with society's expectations.

You say nature vs. your ideal self. How do you define nature? The only nature I'm concern with is the original and unspoiled nature of every human being.

If I'm in touch with that then my ideal self mirrors my the human nature I was born with and I live the rest of my life trying to retain that.

Sometimes are ideal self and our true nature are at conflict.

But is the ideal self simply a mask hiding our true nature.?

Aren't we lying to ourselves by denying our true nature?

 

[Eros]

I don't understand BF, why is this question being asked?

 

[raybia]

So you have created an idealized self you aim to become rather than be led by your natural instincts.

What if there's no afterlife, would you have regreted not staying true to your nature.

My idealized self is a result of my knowledge of the original unspoiled human nature that I feel all people are born with but may have lost over the years.

However that natural needs something to govern it and that would be my higher self in the form of my intellect and most important my will. My will has to govern both my higher self and lower self to submit to the ideals that I have commit myself towards.

IF, I am successful in this, then there would be no regrets. But the existence of an afterlife or not, would have no bearing on having regrets.

I would have regrets if I went against what is in my conscience, and in fact I already live with regrets towards things that I have done or didn't do in my past that violated my better judgment.

 

[blind_fury]

This one's easy. Just do what you want to/feel is best.

Sometimes these two are the same, but IMO the ideal self is a mixture of your own natural instincts and the society around you. Both can be either good or bad and just depends on the situation. I mean, you could feel deep down that being true to yourself means killing people while molesting 3 year-olds, but society tells you that is wrong (hopefully). This is where that balance comes in.

It's IMO a personal decision. I think that if being true to yourself goes against some of society's norms, but doesn't hurt anyone else really, then you shoudl feel free to do whatever. It's when being true to yourself can hurt others that you need to take a step back and analyze it more.

What if person wants to fit in with crowds but doing so conflicts with their true nature?

Should they live a lie or stay true to their nature. Is living a lie worth it if your constantly at conflict with yourself?

 

[blind_fury]

Some people will never achieve their ideal self so why try? If you do achieve it it will be a mask without a soul.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Some people will never achieve their ideal self so why try? If you do achieve it it will be a mask without a soul.

Some people? No body will ever achieve an "ideal self", it's impossible...because as far as you can go you can always go farther.

If you could, or did, achieve an ideal it would cease to be an ideal.

 

[blind_fury]

From a philosophical standpoint it would mean to be a true individual, to embody that which is yours and not a creation of the outside world. To come to morals and motivations based on your own reason and wisedom rather than relying on those around you to dictate to you that which is right.

Great point.

But it's impossible to know how much of ourselves is and isn't an extension of the outside world.

Your ideal self is based on other peoples values whether you admit it or not.

 

[raybia]

Sometimes are ideal self and our true nature are at conflict.


Yes, I agree with that. IMO it comes down to desire. What do you want the most? To follow your ideal self or to follow your true nature?

But I think you have to arrive at the proper understanding of the true nature of a human being before making that decision.

IMO, what you need to do is find the concepts in are present in human nature.

An a good example of the original unspoiled human nature are infants. For example, babies are pure in their feelings and intent. They haven't been taught to hate, but they come into the world showing affection, first towards the mother, but also towards anyone who shows them love and affection and care. So one concept that is in human nature is attachment. When we lose that later in life, then we lose how compassion for others.

But is the ideal self simply a mask hiding our true nature.?

Again, if we correctly understand what human nature is, then human nature should be our foundation that the ideal self is built on.

Aren't we lying to ourselves by denying our true nature?

Yes, but again, do you hold the correct knowledge and understand of self?

 

[Hades]

As a homocidal maniac. Yes, yes it does conflict with society.

But in the end the voices in my head far outway common sense.

SO I believe I am doing these people justice by hacking up their flesh.

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE

 

[raybia]

Some people will never achieve their ideal self so why try? If you do achieve it it will be a mask without a soul.

You will achieve greater accomplishment by setting high expectations.

In otherwords, reach for the stars. Maybe you won't reach them, but you may reach the moon.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Great point.

But it's impossible to know how much of ourselves is and isn't an extension of the outside world.

I don't know if I believe it's impossible. It's very very hard...but there are ways to determine how much you are influenced by the outside world.

 

[Duende Verde]

How do you stay true to yourself?

"TRAIN, SAY YOUR PRAYERS, EAT YOUR VITAMINS!
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF, TRUE TO YOUR COUNTRY, BE A REAL AMERICAN!"

"...AND DON'T FORGET TO DO YOUR HOOKERS!"

​

 

[Honey Vibe]

How does a person stay true to themselves? I believe there is a voice within us that tells us we are going down a wrong path, or on the right track. I also believe it's louder and purer, in dreams.

Does it mean staying true to your nature or staying true to your ideal self? It means staying true to your nature, taking care that the way you express that nature does no harm to other human beings.

Is it worth it even if it means conflicting with society's expectations? Of course it is worth it. Some people choose death of soul before death of reputation; I guess it all depends on how far-sighted you are in your heart.

Great thread, b_f.

 

[blind_fury]

Thanks Honey.

Dreams can be very usefull. They can reveal the subconscious we rarely see.

Sometimes it's ugly and shallow, other times it can be heroic and filled with passion.

 

[Venom'sDad]

It's not that simple. How do you know your true self from your idealized self?

Oh man, if you don't know who you are as a person, than there is nothing I or anyone for that matter, can say that will make sense. It's like explaining what is "LOVE". Everyone has a uniqe quaility about themselve, and with that, have a different sense or understanding of what "LOVE" mean, or in this case, understanding of ones' self. If you don't have that understanding of yourself, what can anyone else tell you. You may not have the same perspective or sense of understanding that others may have... like a thousand people with a thousand perspective on "LOVE". There maybe some similarities, but certainly be some distinct differences.

What if the two are at conflict with each other?

Well that is what makes us better people or vice-versa. I'm as you can see, a very opinionated person. At times I tended to be arrogant and condescending, as we all, towards those that disagree with me.... at times. Well that's in direct, idealistic, conflict with what I wanted to be, which is to be a most effective communicator of my opinions, ideas, ans POV.... I can't do that being an arse all the time. So I adapted and learned... that me becoming a better communicator.

On the flip side, I am a very knowledgeable person, not a great speller, but knowledgeable. I use to share a lot of knowledge and pass experience with people, half the time, when they didn't ask for it. So now I have developed an attitude no one really gives a d.a.m.n so why bother, at risk of people coming back saying, "you knew that, why did you say something, that could have been helpful".

 

[blind_fury]

About the subconscious...

How can we unlock it?

Should we unlock it?

 

[CyberFaust]

i have the key!
send me money and i will tell you all about it

 

[Honey Vibe]

About the subconscious...

How can we unlock it?

Should we unlock it?

I believe you need to accept what exists beneath your subconscious to fully accept yourself.

The first thing needed to "unlock it", is adopting patience in everything.

 

[nosebleed.]

There has to be a situation that happened to warrant this thread. If you explain your mindset when you were typing/thinking about this thread then I'm sure a lot more people could relate to it and provide opinions with more substance than just speaking about the subconscious.