Our identities are shaped and exist in relation to others. The way others relate to me and the way I can relate to them is fundamental to my sense of self, of who I am. When relationships play such a crucial role, some amount of drama is inevitable. However, we can become the prisoners of … Continue reading Frantz Fanon on Identity Drama
Knowing Yourself As The Colonised
How does one become ‘the colonised’? Not in terms of a historical fact or political status, although they are certainly important elements, but in terms of an experience. If we think of being ‘the colonised’ as a way of experiencing one’s life, how does one become it? In his book, “Black Skin, White Masks”, Frantz Fanon explores … Continue reading Knowing Yourself As The Colonised
Spreading the Word: Philosophers on Authenticity
Continuing the theme of the last weeks, today I share a BBC podcast episode on authenticity. What does it mean to be oneself, is there a fixed self at all, and why should it matter whether we are authentic or not? Philosophers engage in discussing these and other questions, addressing some of the perennial themes … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Philosophers on Authenticity
Spreading the Word: Why Do We Self-Sabotage?
The value of self-knowledge lies partly in our ability to consciously understand ourselves and then develop more integrated personalities. The opposite of this implies having elements that are somehow disconnected from what we identify with when we think of 'who we are'. These elements are in our blindspots, obscured from our self-knowledge. If so, internal … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Why Do We Self-Sabotage?
On Being Yourself
''Be yourself, no matter what they say'' is the advice that Sting gives us in his elegant song Shape of My Heart. I agree. But how do we do that? How can we be ourselves? Deeper still, what does it mean to be ourselves? And how do I know who my-self is? After all, whatever I … Continue reading On Being Yourself
It Is OK to Feel Good
Photo by Evie Shaffer from Pexels It is OK to feel good. Sounds so obvious and self-explanatory that one doesn't need to be reminded of it. Of course, it is OK to feel good, who doubts that? Who doesn't know that? Well, at times some of us forget about it. I know it from experience. It happens when … Continue reading It Is OK to Feel Good
Know Yourself
keep exploring!
Spreading the Word: Learning to Love
This week I share with you a dose of emotional encouragement. At least that is what this video felt like to me. Indeed, so many of us would have much better lives, if we learned to love ourselves a little bit more. That would help both ourselves and those around us. Link to the lecture: … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Learning to Love
Spreading the Word: Human Nature
This week I share with you a video/lecture where the late philosopher Mary Midgley talks about her views on human nature. She is a thinker I will be definitely reading more of! Link to the lecture: https://aeon.co/videos/the-self-is-not-always-selfish-mary-midgley-takes-on-richard-dawkins my photo Keeping up the "Spreading the Word" tradition, every Thursday I hope to share with you an … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Human Nature
Understanding is an Interaction
Whenever we are trying to understand the world, we are, by extension, trying to understand ourselves. Whether we are aware of it or not. Indeed - whether we want it or not. We bring ourselves along to every encounter with the world, and we experience each such encounter through ourselves. We don't really have any … Continue reading Understanding is an Interaction
humanfactor 