The Very, Very Lonely Path Of Knowledge And Self-Actualization
posted by Lightfiend | April 14, 2010
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How does our pursuit of knowledge reflect our individualism, and why is this so important? What makes this path towards self-actualization so difficult and lonesome?
Education Doesn't End After School
One assumption I often see people implicitly make is that school is the only form of education. Friends and family constantly say to me ad nauseam, "Steven, you are so smart - are you sure you don't want to go to graduate school and continue your education?"
This annoys me so much because I consider myself a person who absolutely loves knowledge and never sees an endpoint to my studies. I go to the library twice a week, constantly flipping through new books or reading cover-to-cover the ones I find most interesting. My interests range from psychology to economics to politics to philosophy, so how can anyone possibly tell me that I need to continue my education?
I feel I am an autodidactic at heart. The time I spend studying on my own I find infinitely more valuable than the time I spend in a classroom. When you study on your own you get to choose the curriculum, focus on subjects that most interest you, and go at your own pace.
Yet at the same time this method of learning is seen by our culture as inherently bizarre and even wasteful: Where is your degree? How do you expect to find a job? What are you doing with your life?
To Love To Know And To Do What You Love
I didn't get a degree in Psychology because I thought it was where the money was at; no, I took it with the intent to learn about the subject. But people don't understand this. They don't trust themselves enough to do what they love. Instead, they would rather follow a predetermined path, as long as it provides security. The individual spirit thus begins to break down.
I am now unemployed, and part of that is simply my apathy towards looking for a job, but I feel just as competent as anyone else coming out of college (if not more). Why? Because I trust my passions, I trust my self-determination, and embrace that individual spirit. Besides, I am only 21, the world is in my hands, and now is not the time to forfeit to the chains of modern society. I have bigger ideas in mind, perhaps larger than most, and that is what makes this path lonely but rewarding. I love to know and I owe it to myself to do what I love:
“The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.”
- Ayn Rand
All Knowledge Is Self-Knowledge
When we learn more about our world - whether its astrophysics or behavioral economics - we build a greater understanding of ourselves. Our pursuits reflect our values and interests, so I don't deny that when I do what I love, I am also separating myself from the whims that others would like to impose on me. In this sense, following our dreams is a lonely path. No one can do this for you, you must be the hero of your world.
United By This Loneliness
I wanted to share these quick thoughts with you in case you were feeling the same way. Doing what others tell you is easy, pursuing what you love is the hardest. There will be doubt. There will be loneliness. There will be signs of weakness and temptations to quit. But knowing that others share that struggle and knowing that it can be overcome is a power that connects us all. The world depends on our self-actualization.
Comments
http://visionartmind.ning.com
— Apr 14, 2010
http://visionartmind.ning.com/
All this energy whirls around, whirls around, insists on movement
See what we can find, create, intermingle
Just a thought, streaming through imagination
Take a little trip, a grand tourage, or what you may
similar journey
— Apr 15, 2010
Im on the same path as you man. Im majoring in sociology, but never really was that into it--just enjoyed learnign about cultures..not nitpicking peoples motives in the western world cause were far too crazy to put it into a science. I always was reading anthropological accounts and stories from far away lands.
At the same time I was educating myself on some of the finer details of creating alchemical gold from shit. As my graduation date approaches quickly I feel an overwhelming feeling of freedom coming over me. At times liberation streams through the freedom, at others, I am utterly paralyzed by the amount of choices I have laid out in front of myself.
On one hand Im perfectly comfortable sitting here just looking over all my options, but the second I choose one, all the other doos figuratively close--its a very unique point in my life journey and Im glad to have the insight and assurance of people slightly ahead of me in the game.
Freedom
— Apr 15, 2010
I felt that freedom too, it's great, but on the other end it brings out anxiety too. Since I've graduated life has been very bittersweet....I need to see something materialize soon or I don't know what I am going to do....
ALLONE
— Apr 15, 2010
Eventually you learn that you are one with all that is.. and that loneliness fades and disapears completely.
here is a funny little thing...
take alone and add an L to it... what do you get... ALLONE... the extra L comes from love... open your heart and you get to know who and what you really are.
Wisdom And Feeling
— Apr 16, 2010
Yes, I understand that there is an interconnectedness between everything, and I feel it very strongly at times, but it is also an impermanent feeling. It may always be true, and it can sometimes serve as a helpful reminder, but when you are trying to make your mark in the world (against all odds) there is also a distinct feeling of separateness. And that can't be denied either.
Consciousness is an odd phenomena. It is always expanding and contracting, and rarely is it ever still, and even when you do find stillness...it doesn't last.
The recognition that "all is one" is comforting, even empowering, but always changing none-the-less. It comes in different flavors.
"Yes, I understand that
— Apr 16, 2010
"Yes, I understand that there is an interconnectedness between everything, and I feel it very strongly at times, but it is also an impermanent feeling."
It does not have to be impermanent, it is not for me any more... in transpersonal psychology this is known as turning a state into a stage.
"It may always be true, and it can sometimes serve as a helpful reminder, but when you are trying to make your mark in the world (against all odds) there is also a distinct feeling of separateness. And that can't be denied either."
that disticnt feeling of seperateness is based and founded in your dellusions and misperceptions. It has no other basis of reality out of of what you give it... making it of your own creation and thus making it truly YOUR responsability. If you spent more time trying to rid yourself of these dellusions and misperceptions then you do trying to make your mark in the world then this would not be an issue.
Buddha said straighten yourself before you try to straighten others.
"Consciousness is an odd phenomena. It is always expanding and contracting, and rarely is it ever still, and even when you do find stillness...it doesn't last."
Enlightenment is not a condition that must be achieved... The stillness does not have to last. yes everything is temporary and transitory, people cutlivate awarness through recognizing this so whats the problem?
"The recognition that "all is one" is comforting, even empowering, but always changing none-the-less. It comes in different flavors."
So what? Sounds like excuse making. No offense... the reality is people tend to create rather sick reward systems that keep them addicted to these states or being that are not good for them or any one... excuses are a big part of that... if i feel sad, seperate, alone, it makes me feel important and validates me, the I, ego, das ich, which is for the most part just dellusions and misperceptions. So you defend the desire to stay that way by making up excuses to not dirrectly confront your dellusions and misperceptions of who and what you really are. Which is fine... thats the process that a self reflexive organism has to go through.
This is text book transpersonal and east west pscyhology all of it including your responses... its nothing new! I mean no offense... but the info is all out there.
Not the way I see it
— Apr 16, 2010
"It does not have to be impermanent, it is not for me any more... in transpersonal psychology this is known as turning a state into a stage."
From an experiential standpoint, it is absolutely impermanent. Once you are conscious, there is a self, and that denotes that there are "others." How do you drive a car with the perception that "all is one," how do you discern or have any knowledge whatsoever? It is because you distinguish between different entities. The state of "no self" is considered an unconscious state (at least in the Buddhist literature I have read). I haven't read any Transpersonal psychology but even the term "stage" seems to imply a kind of impermanence. Buddha never said, "All is one," - he taught interconnectedness...the two are very different. There IS a state of feeling one-ness, but it is also a state of non-discernment, and thus is not very practical in everyday life. It's insights however are life-changing.
I'm not making excuses, I am acknowledging my experiences.
"Once you are conscious,
— Apr 16, 2010
"Once you are conscious, there is a self, and that denotes that there are "others.""
how are you so certain of this?
"How do you drive a car with the perception that "all is one," how do you discern or have any knowledge whatsoever? "
Fairly simply...
"It is because you distinguish between different entities."
differance does not indicate seperation...
"The state of "no self" is considered an unconscious state (at least in the Buddhist literature I have read)."
care to give us some quotes on that because that is not anything I have learned in buddhism. The experience of no self as an unconcious state does happen... but that is not the awareness of non self... it is the lack of awareness of self.
"in what may I place lasting relevance?"
even impermenenance is impermenant... lol
"Buddha never said, "All is one," - he taught interconnectedness...the two are very different."
thats right buddha never taught that all is one...
but many others have...
buddha is not the end all be all.
Heraclitus of Ephesus taught that all is one...
So have many many many others... including many indigneous peoples.
" I haven't read any Transpersonal psychology but even the term "stage" seems to imply a kind of impermanence. "
no you haven't! Myabe you should! It is the study of the subject your talking as if you are farily well learned about.
"There IS a state of feeling one-ness, but it is also a state of non-discernment, and thus is not very practical in everyday life."
Oh is it now! That is not the experience of many many many mystics through out time, and what they report... and it certainly is not my experience.
"It's insights however are life-changing."
I agree there...
"I'm not making excuses, I am acknowledging my experiences."
which appear to be fairly limited. but enough to make you think you can make fairly bold assertations.
cheers
Bold assertions
— Apr 16, 2010
"All is one" seems just as much of a bold assertion as "all is not one." Who is to say who is right? To me, sometimes I re-cognize all as one and other times I re-cognize all as not one, but that is just the inconsistent and everchanging nature of mind. It all depends on what window you want to look out from, however narrow or wide.
If you want to reduce my perceptions as "misperceptions" and "delusions," thanks but no thanks; I am not interested in anyone who tells me to neglect my own senses. You can have your fantasy and I can have mine.
To me, the feeling of loneliness is real. I know, because I feel it. It's right there. And when I ask myself, "Why do I feel this way?" I don't just say "Oh, it must just be some delusion." - rather, I accept it, and I respond to it in the best way I know how. My mind is my guide, not some transpersonal textbook, not some mystic, not Buddha...
I resonate completely with
— Apr 15, 2010
I resonate completely with you Lightfiend. I must say that I have learned many interesting things over the course of my Anthropology degree but often find myself thinking that I could be learning at a far greater rate were I not currently attending University. For me, lectures are becoming of less importance as the wealth of human knowledge becomes increasingly available for free on the Internet. This is why the persona of the professor is so crucial to the enjoyability of the class. However, even though I harbor many views regarding the massive failings of the American education system, I try to remain positive and view University as an platform for developing an understanding of the human experience. I am both horrified and amazed at the things I see and hear here but draw my life-energy from my heart as I actively attempt to shape my life reality.
My advice to you would be to remind yourself occasionally, however improbable it may seem, that there are others out there just like you. We exist injected into the mainframe of mainstream society and are greatly empowered through networking with one another. As Terence McKenna once said: "Find the others".
United
— Apr 16, 2010
Exactly, that is why I added the "United By Loneliness" bit at the end. I know I am not the only one who feels this way; I think it is the zeitgeist of the times that is causing so many people to be so self-aware. I really believe that there is an evergrowing snowball effect of "spiritual awakening," and that makes these times exciting but also very turbulent.
I think my experiences at college were enlightening in their own right, but nonetheless limiting and old-fashioned. They are operating on an old framework of education that I think is just beginning to be overthrown.
Very good post. In the
— Apr 16, 2010
Very good post. In the future all people will be auto didactic. A "building" called "school" to learn? lmao how foolish we are! Here is a post I just made about Aloneness and Loneliness: http://www.evolver.net/user/pod4/blog/osho_aloneness_and_loneliness
Non-Fractal Compression creates heat=Hell
Autodidacticism and Osho
— Apr 16, 2010
I think you are right...but it is a change that won't materialize until the distant, distant future. I would be shocked to see it within our lifetime, but anything is possible.
I appreciate the post on Aloneness and Loneliness, I really like Osho. I didn't read the whole thing but there are definitely some gems of wisdom in there. One of the first articles I discovered on Reality Sandwich was "The Virtue of Solitude." Being alone can be a beautiful and inspiring thing. Sometimes just sitting outside in the sun by myself is the most pleasant experience I can enjoy, but "loneliness" is a feeling with negative connotations. It implies a need/desire/want that hasn't been fulfilled.
Thanks for your comment!
Al One.... Alone
— Apr 16, 2010
The biggest myth that they who would wish to control you with is that if you actually think and learn for yourself that you will be all alone. FEAR THIS! This is the great foreign installation of controlling what you know. Don't believe a word of it. You are never alone. Never.... Be yourself and you attract all who are themselves too... its a vast community of being. Peace.
I agree
— Apr 16, 2010
I agree. I didn't say I was alone, I am just saying "there is loneliness." I am just being mindful of what I am experiencing.
great post... I feel the
— Apr 16, 2010
great post... I feel the same way and like you said is good to know you are not alone... I moved to a new city 2 weeks ago and I don't know anyone here so I want to take that to my advantage and focus on my personal path without the distractions that sometimes dear friends or relatives bring =)
Running away
— Apr 16, 2010
I know what you mean. I have been in Florida the past two weeks in order to spend some time away from friends and family. Sometimes it is necessary, but don't let it slip away for too long. It is important to stay connected. I'm sure you know this...but I am just saying. :)
hey... thanks for ur
— Apr 16, 2010
hey... thanks for ur response...
I agree with you I want to keep connected although now I want different type of connections with different types of ppl than the ones I met in San Antonio (where I used to live, and before that in Nuevo Laredo, Mex) now life has brought me to El Paso, Tx hahaha life is a funny thing cuz when I was 11 I lived in Juarez, Mex for 6 months... coincidence???
Anyway I like your posts they are really informative, clear and helpful is like having a free psychoanalysis =D
Love Love Love Love Love...ad infinitum...Thou art Love Bow2Love
— Apr 17, 2010
When One thing ends, another One Continues & Renews iTSeLF 2 Begin...I just wanna state this: U are NOT alone...We are STrong & United, Auto-Didactic already, the wheeLS are CHurning...Be weLL, SOulBro//SIS, heh...
existentialism
— Apr 22, 2010
From what I've read and learned, the loneliest phase of the process of self-realization is described in all Existentialist writing and philosophy. Colin Wilson's book "The Outsider" (which I discussed on my Refractor blog in July of 2008) does an excellent job of sorting through the phenomenon. Now I see it as the starting point when a creative soul in Western civilization becomes so alienated (in part because of our society's alienation from our true nature) that the individual ends up completely and utterly alone.
Of course, part of this is necessary, in order to realize that each of us experiences a completely different version of the universe. Then it seems we can accept our physical loneliness and draw from our own creative power for comfort and reassurance. I didn't reach that point until this winter, when I was extremely isolated for four months. Now I'm ready to descend from the mountain, so to speak -- only to climb up again at some untold point in the future, and then repeat the process.
Evolver
— Jun 02, 2010
I am one of those who feels this loneliness due to my love of knowledge, and am now seeing the true beauty of the Evolver platform. Thanks for sharing your feelings without any sort of inhibitions and providing me the opportunity to relate to you, another human being with self-guided intelligence.
