The Self: A Complex Entity

Instances where we deem ourselves unworthy occurs frequently than anticipated. It’s just up to the mind to mediate. Whether or not one recognizes himself plays a huge role in contemplating what to do. Others that haven’t really figured out themselves, would break down and go for an instant solution which is self-harm and self-confinement. But those who have grasped their absolute identity would immediately recognize the appropriate measures to do. Years of existence in the world will mold one’s individuality. Every mistake a person makes is equivalent to a lesson learned. Although we are not defined by the mistakes and failures we’ve committed, we will be judged by the actions we do whilst knowing. A mistake will only be considered a mistake if it’s done once, doing it twice will be a choice one intentionally makes. Therefore, having to recognize yourself is a tedious yet necessary task in order to achieve self-actualization and fulfillment or as Brené Brown stated, “Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”

Everyone is shaped uniquely; there is no one that knows thyself better than our selves. Consequently, one has every right and freedom to make a choice that best suits him. Having reached absolute self-knowledge aids in choosing the best fits and provides insights on what to evade. How one appreciates and discerns himself lies greatly on how he chose to hear his desires and perceive his innate identity.

The self is the mind, it is a complex entity. It caters to every process required to function effortlessly. According to Maurice Merleau-Ponty, “The mind and body are so intertwined that they cannot be separated from one another. The living body, his thoughts, emotions, and experiences are all one.” As one goes about their day, each new encounter bestows a new set of information that will be transmitted for the self to regulate. Bit by bit, each experience is recorded and decoded; every interaction, every complication, and every delectation. Moreover, Freud states that “The self is multitiered.”; implying that it also organizes the three provinces of the mind: the conscious mind, pre-conscious, and unconscious. The self does not just deal with what is visible to the naked eye and mind. But also, those that are repressed into our deepest thoughts and those that are already constituted in our nature.

Despite the fact that some wise men concluded that the self is non-existent, or it is merely a convenient name people use to refer to their behaviors, one should know that it is anything but. The self is an involved entity that operates even in the state of unconsciousness, an intricate and curious being that strives to acquire new information, and a labyrinthine structure that is difficult to unwind yet facile to explore.