Illusion of the SELF

INTRO - Glimpses - Duality- Cult of I - Cult of the PERSON - self-words - Maya - The Word - Distractions - self-talk - Illusions*

self-respect, self-reflection, self-centered, self-absorbed, self-righteous, self-development, self-destructive, self-interest, self-conscious, self-motivation, self-image, self-esteem, self-control, self-made, self-discipline, self-defense, self-doubt, self-worth, self-denial,  self-approval, self-discovery,  self-promotion, self-proclaim, self-validation, self-servicing,  self-encouragement, self-expression,
self-preservation (panic)  yourSELF, mySELF, ourSELVES, SELF-ish

The Conundrum

A sample of some of the ways in which use this word - SELF. (More are in the SELF WORDS topic, including in other languages)
We use the word all the time and in many contexts and fields of study. What is the SELF? How could the SELF be an "illusion?"

Before this can be answered one must know that our brain has two minds - a conscious and sub/un-conscious mind.
The functioning and existence which can be learned about in the OPPOSITE MINDS section.

The SELF is a "mental-construct" which arises from this split / DUALity.
The SELF is a creation that occurred due to a split in how our brains functions are divided and 1) how we choose to think about our own existence, and 2) what we have chosen to put inside our body (our DIEt).  Why it was divided as such is explored in another section of the website.  It is a construct created because there is "no unity" between the brains - because we are bipolar.  
Yes, both brains are connected in (almost) everyone, but we tend to emphasize one side over another depending on the situation. It also explains why we might SAY SOMETHING, but DO ANOTHER (hypocrisy).
Or why we have internal conflicts when making choices between our "HEAD" or our "HEART."

Maybe we just need to learn to "uncross" our mind & body!

The SELF is a COMPROMISE between the "wishes/desires" of each side.
For example - the conscious mind is more "I-oriented" and the unconscious, more "WE-oriented." Or the UN-CON side wants to do something fun, but the CON side says we need to focus on business. The variations are endless. Further examples & splits may be learned about in the topic - INSIGHTS of the OPPOSITE MINDS section.

 The "self / personality" then that people have created for themSELVES, differs based on how much emphasis is placed on the CONscious or the UN-CONscious side, whether we realize it or not.  It is a choice - over time - on how we choose to think about ourSELVES.  Choice of thought, and what we put into our body - our DIEt.

We might think of people / ourselves as more left or right-brain oriented, or we might not even be aware of the two sides - and therefore - think of people as being neither. "Taking" people at face value.  

NOTE: perspective in above pictures. The left image is head-on so the "right-brain person" is the man with the green shirt.
The image on the right hand side is a top down perspective as you see yourself in a mirror.

And perhaps - often confused by people's conflicting "non-logical" ("strange, stupid, dumb") and/or SELFish behavior if accustomed to "positive" behavior OR "surprisingly nice / positive" behavior if we are used to "negative" behavior.
These words are in quotes because positive and negative are RELATIVE based on each individual.

But, we may choose to be ONE MIND. Neither right nor left. A different existence altogether. Whether this existence is "better" or not - is a relative view. "Absolutes" derive from our sense of I.  For "I" is in a fixed position. "WE" is everything. With enough knowledge - it is possible to UNIFY both sides, if the desire / motivation is there.
And when WHEEE choose this path that ends the INNER war & conflict - we shall end the OUTER.

Our brains were originally unified - but then due to our actions, a split occurred. This event is written about in our mythology / religion and encoded as metaphor - but it is hard to understand as we live in a BIPOLAR world.
The left-brain is more word-oriented, and less visual-oriented. The right is more free thinking whereas the left is more detailed.
WE NEED BOTH.

In this entire section one will learn about how this relates to Maya-2012 (MY I), how this SELF has impacted various 
ARTS & SCIENCES, how the SELF distracts US from learning about itSELF,  how it grows anew in each of us,
and how our CULTures are based on the PROMOTION of the SELF as a "Good thing."

Left

Right

left is conceptual

right has no need to rationalize

Approximates reality
"subjective"

More in touch with reality
"objective"

invents approximations of reality

direct experience

details

more big picture

serial processing
"single-minded"

parallel processing

linear, methodical
past & future

in the moment
timeless

me / I

WE

mySELF, self-xxx

LEFT brain - serial processor
(single thread)

RIGHT brain - parallel processor
(Multithreading)

1993 Intel 486 Commercial

 Intel Core i7 Commercial

Youtube: First Apple Commercial 1977 - 80's Magnavox Commercial - IBM Commercial '86 - Radio Shack Tandy 286 PC Commercial 1988