Oct 14th, 2008
The Self that I Thought I was
I am a mid-level manager at a consulting company, in charge of the performance of six staff consultants. I am Susan’s husband. I am Billy’s dad. I am a student at NYU with a major in Anthropology. I have such and such dreams. I am someone’s daughter, son, or friend.
How did we come to define ourselves this way? If we observe the labels we give ourselves, we will realize that we define ourselves by the relationships we form and the roles that we are expected to play. Some people think they are first and foremost a “father,” while others think that the primary role they play is that of a company “CEO.” If we ask these two people about what they usually do on weekends, the “father” will most likely do something with his children, while the “CEO” will probably hold meetings with other executives.
As Ilchi Lee explains our general behavior has much to do with whom we think we are in life. However, if you investigate further you’ll find that other people have created your identity. How much did you have to do with choosing who you are? Our parents, our society, our ethics, and our schools have all imbued us with a pre-determined identity. And we have unconsciously accepted this intormation as our own. However, we are seldom aware that our sense of who we are consists of information that can also be evaluated, modified. and deleted.
“I am so and so…” or “I have to be such and such…” This is just information in your brain. We are always free to decide which information to accept. It is crucial to realize that we have the power to choose. New information will become the new you when it is ingrained in the deepest layers of your brain and it all will occure during Dahn Hak practice.