There is nothing to be learned about the self

introduction

The search for the truth about the self is one of the main topics in philosophy, psychology and various spiritual wisdoms. It is an inner journey that invites us to look deeply and truly at the essence of our existence, beyond all the masks and roles we wear in everyday life. In this conversation, the speaker challenges the accepted concepts about self-learning, and offers a more radical and in-depth approach to the study of the self.

the illusion of the “self”

The main idea that comes up in the conversation is that there is actually nothing real to learn about the self, because the self, as we perceive it, is ultimately an illusion. Everything that seems to us to be “self” is actually a collection of ideas, memories, opinions and thoughts accumulated over the years, and that thought itself created. We identify with that imagined “self” and build our entire sense of existence around it, but in practice it is a psychological structure created by thought and has no real validity.

Thought as the creator of the illusion

The speaker explains that it is the thought that creates the illusion of the “self”. Thought builds a sequence of memories, ideas and images, and we live and act through those mental contents. We accept the thoughts and memories as absolute truth and identify with them completely, until they become the basic experience of our existence. However, all those contents are ultimately virtual and devoid of self-reality. They exist only within the mental space created by thought, and have no objective existence.

The need to reject the illusion

In order to begin to touch the truth of the self, a process of rejecting and renouncing everything that thought has created is necessary. This is a radical process that requires us to release the deep identification with our self-image and with all the stories we tell ourselves about who we are. Only when we are willing to let go of that illusion, can we begin to discover the true essence that lies beyond it. It is a process that requires courage, honesty and true introspection.

The common state of superficial self-seeking

Despite the common desire to learn about the self and know ourselves deeply, most people are actually trapped in a superficial circle of self-analysis and psychological probing. They are busy identifying character traits, patterns of behavior or formative past experiences, believing that the more details they know about themselves, the closer they will get to the truth. However, as long as self-exploration is conducted through the contents of thought and memories, it can never lead to real change or the discovery of the true self.

The need for clarity about the motivations for self-inquiry

Another important point raised in the conversation is the need for clarity about our true motives for self-inquiry. The speaker emphasizes that he himself knows exactly why he is in the conversation and what he wants to achieve. On the other hand, many of the participants come with multiple, contradictory and unclear motives. They want to learn about themselves, change, improve, but without really knowing what the essence of that change is and what they are looking for. This situation creates confusion and prevents them from progressing in the direction of inner truth.

Dealing with the concept of “nothing”

One of the shocking insights that come up in the conversation is that when you remove all the layers of thought and memories, what is left is actually “nothing”. This is a difficult point for most to digest, as it threatens our basic sense of security. We want to believe that we have a stable, solid and valuable self, and that we are beings of importance and meaning. The thought of being “nothing” is seen as scary and difficult to accept. However, this recognition is a gateway to a deeper understanding of existence.

The true meaning of self

When we realize that the imagined self is indeed nothing, a space opens up for the discovery of our true essence. It is pure awareness, an alert and present existence that does not identify with any mental content. This is a state of inner freedom, where we experience life directly, without the interpretations and judgments of thought. In this sense, the understanding of our being “nothing” is not negative or empty, but is an opening to knowing the unconditional dimension of existence.

The consequences of understanding on life

Understanding the nature of the true self is not merely a philosophical or theoretical matter, but has profound practical implications for the way we live. When you start living from a place of true self-awareness, your entire worldview changes. Instead of living in an endless circle of thoughts, worries and fears, we discover inner peace and true freedom. We are able to fully experience the present moment, without running away from it or trying to change it. Human relationships become more honest and authentic, and life takes on qualities of joy, lightness and creativity.

Summary – the first step in the journey

The conversation about self-exploration is an invitation to embark on a deep inner journey, a journey in which we are ready to examine all our basic assumptions about ourselves and reality. It is a journey that begins with the realization that most of what we think we are is actually a collection of baseless ideas and images, and that ultimately leads to the discovery of our true essence. It is a challenging process that requires courage, but it also holds the promise of a life of freedom, love and inner peace. The first step in the journey is the willingness to listen, investigate, and question everything we take for granted.