Re: Your Brains

[blimix]

When I was a kid, I used to imagine this: What if, every time I fleetingly wished to be someone else (for I never seriously wished to be), it actually happened? Neither of us would ever know, because once I became them, I'd be where they are, in their body and with all of their memories. And whoever became me (because someone has to be me, though I hardly bothered myself with who, how or why) would think that they had always been me, occasionally making these silly wishes that (they thought) never came true.

This led naturally to the question of what defines identity. What could it possibly mean for me (my "self" or "identity") to physically become another person, if there's no actual change in the world? The very fact that the event of the wish coming true is indistinguishable from the wish not coming true, even to those involved, was very revealing! It led naturally to the idea that the distinction between our selves, other people and the rest of the universe is an artificial one. This was at least a decade before I was exposed to the same concept in Zen Buddhism. (Is it a generally Buddhist concept, or limited to Zen?)

(There is, in these thoughts, an inherent rejection of dualism. I could never bring myself to believe in a magical spirit that was my "essence" or "soul," which somehow interacted with my brain despite not being part of the physical universe (i.e., not really existing). I hope I haven't offended any dualists in the audience.)

Comments

[supernovanugget.livejournal.com]

as i was cleaning my room the other day i came upon a journal i had for class. elementary or middle school. i said quite simply. "i really dont like when people judge other people or put people down. its just not cool."