The Lies We Tell

[Golem]

Hello guys, long-time lurker here, so I may know some of y’all better than you know me (for now).

I’ve been contemplating something for the past six months (especially): the lies we tell—not just to others, but to ourselves as well.

The lies I tell myself have become so much subtler over the years that sometimes I catch myself in an arrogant state, thinking I’m being completely truthful with myself… lol. This is incredibly naive on my part because, deep down, I still have this intuition that I’m not being fully honest. I struggle with myself until I uncover some deeply hidden aspect of where I’m not being truthful.

It’s usually connected with fear—honestly, for all I know, it’s all fear. I think and intuit that I have extremely deep-rooted fears, but they’re so subtle and deeply ingrained that I can’t fully grasp them. It’s like I’m 99% fearless, but that remaining 1% of fear is so deep and dispersed throughout me that it might take a lifetime to fully uncover.

So, I have a couple of questions. Maybe you’d like to share your techniques: How do you introspect on an even deeper level? How do you catch the lies you tell yourself, especially the subtle ones? Why do you lie? Are you afraid? And if so, what are you afraid of?

I’m looking to start a discussion with honest members—maybe those who aren’t always active in commenting but would like to share their experiences.

[Reciprocality]

@Golem If we never lied to ourself?

 

How does one act without lying? How do you intend anything at all without there being a separation between the intent and the real causes that brings it about?

 

How do you even focus on a thing without deception? Aren't you lying away the rest of the world every time you focus anywhere? How widely do you have to focus to not "lie" away parts of reality and are there no deceptions involved in focusing on everything at once? 

Edited yesterday at 03:43 AM by Reciprocality

[Reciprocality]

Aren't you lying just by going to the store? When you observe people at the mall, aren't they all lying by presenting in a given way, do you think they are the way they present?

Observe others, are they serious? Do they have a seriousness about them?

What is seriousness?

Schopenhauer would answer that seriousness is the firm belief that reality is in itself what one thinks it is, the belief that reality corresponds perfectly to ones judgement.

 

People do not necessarily intend to present as they do simultaneously as they do it, nobody intends to be serious, it simply happens by itself as a consequence of a certainty that ultimately is false.

[DreamScape]

@Golem introspection is questioning. So questioning yourself and your fears is where you start. 

Also it's pretty cool but it's an honor to tell the truth of your soul to yourself.

No, we don't lie because we're afraid. We lie because of danger. If seeking stage red consciousness is a threat, you should reconsider your actions.

Question your fears until they're dust, then bring them back to life. Like a battle.

[PurpleTree]

Usually we’re seemingly trying to maintain something with lies beliefs etc.

A structure of self, an image presented to others, a relationship etc.

[gettoefl]

Lies is to play the game simply to win the game.

Truth is to play the game but to see it as a game.