Embracing Personhood

[Phoenix]

I have realised that the true-self is actually not a self at all.. but a conscious presence that is quietly observing the changing person. It makes awareness possible. It has been there observing the person grow up and become who it is based on genetics, culture, indoctrination, socialisation, conditioning, experiences.. etc. Some enlightenment teachers teach that we are only the "presence" that is making awareness possible. The problem I am having with wrapping my head around this is that, am I not also the human? It feels so impersonal when I simply think of myself as "presence". Where do we strike the balance?

[Phoenix]

Lol. Thank you, @Socrates! 

[Phoenix]

IMO, it is actually a dangerous perspective to take wholesale, because when I entertained the idea, I found that it strips people of their identity and agency! What makes us unique are our experiences. My body is actually allowing me to have a human experience in the first place. And those experiences, in turn, have shaped my ego/person. It's a reciprocal relationship. I just found it strange someone would actually tell me I need to simply reject my human self, and crawl back up onto this high seat of awareness and stay there where there is no pain or wanting. Correct me if I am wrong. 

[Phoenix]

@Pinocchio It seems like the witness and the person are two sides of the same coin. If the true me is giving rise to awareness and consciousness, the person within me wouldn't want to waste it. It would want to use that awareness efficiently to become the best me possible. That is, utilising the waking moments of my life to create a life of self-mastery and virtue. To me, this is real actualization.

[Phoenix]

@Pinocchio Thanks. I'll check it out...