“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” – Albert Einstein
It’s my perception that the Self is cosmic and exists in multiple overlapping realities. Along with our physical human reality, we also have access to the spiritual realities of the Higher Self and the Ego—or Shadow Self—that exist in parallel.
Transcending the Human Paradox comes first with the understanding of these realities and the way they interact, affect, and influence one another. Secondly, it comes from understanding the Self and its dual nature, accepting the contrast within that nature, and learning how to walk in its balance in order to have an optimal experience of the life your soul has chosen for you.
The beauty and mystery of the paradox lies first within free will, the greatest gift the Universe—or God as I personally refer to it—has bestowed upon us.
First thing’s first. What is a paradox? Merriam-Webster defines it as “one (such as a person, situation, or action) having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases”.
This definition directly applies to the human being in and of its essence and nature.
Our physical bodies are tangible masses of matter, but the driving force operating them is intangible and abstract. That force manifests within each of us as a living, breathing mixture and paradox of senses, traits, perceptions, and emotions.
There are two basic concepts to transcending the paradox that you are: Acceptance and Understanding. The master key to optimizing your life and experience as a human being is internalizing both of these concepts. You can do that by using the intrinsic keys you possess to each. Acceptance is achieved through Understanding. Balance is unlocked through Cognizance, and Discernment.
Concepts:
Acceptance: Accept the world as it is, nature as it is, humanity as it is, yourself as you are. Accept the paradox and duality of everything. Accept the nuances of your personality and character and accept the contrast in those nuances as well as the culminations in their merges. Accept the individual within the individual. Finally, accept that the manifestations of the Higher Self and of the Ego reflect and become tangible in your physical reality.
In order to transcend duality, you must first accept it.
Life is a mirror. You’ve heard of the Hermetic principle As Within so Without. Your world is a prism and projection of light. The source of that light is within, where the Shadow Self and the Higher Self also reside.
The Shadow Self is rooted in lack, fear, emotional immaturity, cowardice, resentment, jealousy, despair, chaos, and doubt. The Higher Self is rooted in abundance, love, kindness, emotional maturity, gratitude, fortitude, peace, hope, and faith.
The simplest and most basic form of explanation of this internal contrast is the broader phenomenon, manifestation, and expression of the dichotomy of Good and Evil. I always found the story about the two wolves within each of us that the Cherokee grandfather told his grandson very insightful. The reality of the form of Self that you are allowing to dominate within you is the reality that is mirrored to you in the physical plane.
Balance: Balance inner personality traits. Balance life priorities. Balance emotions. Balance yourself. Balance individuality with connections. Stay grounded. Shift with grace.
There are sixteen personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Indicator (MBTI), but even the creators of the model admit there is no one personality type that an individual fits perfectly into. Each of us is a unique combination of personality characteristics and traits with certain innate preferences.
A good example of overlapping personality types and the human attempt to organize them into categories and define them can be found in the concepts of Blue Collar and White Collar work and their theoretical and practical application.
I recently came across a blog article that focuses on the behavioral differences between the two and points out the general directness and hands-on style of blue-collar workers and the formality and diplomacy typical for white-collar workers. In conclusion, the author notes that individual depth and uniqueness go beyond categorization, grouping, titles, and labels.
Our characters and personalities don’t simply reflect in our education, vocations, careers, interests, and what we do for a living.
Who we are is mirrored in how we carry ourselves—our relationship with our own selves— and in how we treat others. It’s reflected in our approach to life, to our connections, and to our work as well as in the way that approach impacts our environment, others, and our own lives.
My personal journey, which I talk about in “The Path to Self-Realization”, has led me in various directions through life and is a testimony to the depth of my own character, personality, and individual traits, tendencies, and preferences.
If you want to go deeper, check out Richard Ford’s Blue Collar, White Collar, No Collar: Stories of Work. It’s a literary work of greater scale that dives deep into both concepts and provides a widely comprehensive look into each of them while also emphasizing the overall fallacy in the notion that the entirety of one’s individuality can be contained into a single category.
Keys:
Understanding: Understand the power you hold inside at the center of your being. Understand the reactions you have to yourself and to the outside world.
It’s important to know your basic science and math. Remember that energy is always in motion and factor in the results of multiplication and division of positive and negative numbers. Be accountable and responsible for yourself. Heed the philosophical maxim Know Thyself, and recognize that others can only see you through their own lense and from their own point of view and understanding.
Cognizance: Take notice and be mindful of your surroundings and of others. Recognize what is occurring and what it is mirroring. Recognize the softness, gentleness, and humility in the voice of faith, truth, and love and the raucous, crassness, and arrogance of doubt, deception, and resentment.
Discernment: Listen with your heart and with your soul. Pay attention to the source of the voice and to what is being communicated. Always keep in mind the colorful world inside and outside of you, the changeability and fluidity of words, and the permanence and solidity of actions.
Using these keys correctly depends on your knowledge and application of basic grammar concepts in everyday life. While the importance of grammar applies in a very literal way to the literary world itself, it metaphorically shapes and portrays life and existence in their entirety.
Be aware, for example, of comas, spelling typos, and the places of apostrophes. Remember that homophones like born, borne, and bourn/e are a great example of the confusion and misunderstanding that result from words without correctness in grammar and clarity in context and intent.
Final Thoughts:
My wish for you is that you approach life from your very center.
As you do, hold the steering wheel with true intent. Focus and be steadfast in your reactions. Keep in mind deep understanding, growth, and wisdom come from experience. If necessary, your soul will allow you to get dirty to achieve positive results and to help you transcend from any imagined collars to boundlessness.
The path and journey are magnificent. They veer, transform, and shift as you do.
Be fierce in your approach and graceful in your shifts.
To Your Success!