We tend to have the illusion that a person's 'self'is "indivisible
and inalterable without change, and always continues to completely
stay the same". Even so, through this concept, many problems are
being caused. Actually, it is the opposite, for several various contradicting
diversified inner aspects or what can be called the'small selves within
one's self'exist within us. They are called the "Subpersonality".
The angry you or'self', the crying self, the indecisive self, the stubborn
and vulnerable self, the intellectual self, the lazy self, the violent
self, the wayward self, and others, are all examples of the many various
selves that exist within us. (This does not mean the same as having
a multiple personality.)
As mentioned, we have various subpersonalities existing
within us, but somehow have the tendency to act as though only a part
of the subpersonalities is ourselves or what we are. In short, an insubstantial
belief under a strong impression of "I, myself, have a personality
of so and so "become fixed and established.
However, in actuality, innumerable subpersonalities
exist in ourselves, and as though they are changing their clothes,
they are easily changing their own view of life and their own view
of universe. Due to this, the subpersonalities are constantly uniting
to form cooperative party factions with each other or opposing one
another or mutually diverting the other in order to try to formulate
the one unchanging personality.
Obviously, this takes place because it is easier
to do so (to believe in the idea that oneself is indivisible, unchangeable,
and completely the same all the time), but it is also possible for
one to achieve insight and to be freed, if only one steps out from
the grasps of this idea and learns from the process of regaining one's
true self.
For example, although it is easier to recognize the
cheerful understanding subpersonality of yourself, it is hard to recognize
the dark gloomy faultfinding subpersonality of yourself. However, though,
if you would change your point of view, perhaps the cheerful understanding
self of yours might perhaps simply be a coarse whimsical self of yours.
On the other hand, the dark gloomy faultfinding self
you have may be a calm observing research-enthusiast part of yourself.
These occurrences of change are possible by recognizing each of your
subpersonalities fully.
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