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(Bows in utmost reverence)
I would like to know what is our true self so that I can grow upon that. This will lead me to the road to enlightenment.

Please Masters, put your precious knowledge and comment here so that my growth on the matter be possible.

It's simple.

Complete honesty with yourself, understanding, and patience.

Through being completely honest with yourself and patient enough to wait for the answers to come naturally instead of forcing them forward artificially you will find your true self.

However, you must ask questions of yourself and be as deep in your thinking as possible.
Ask all relevant questions to the original question. Using something superficial, I'll give an example.

Do I like (insert band name here)'s music? Why do I like it? What kind of music is it? How does it make me feel? How often to do I feel this way? Do I relate to the messages in the music? Why do I relate to those messages? etc.

Deep questioning like that will help you understand more about yourself.

The biggest key is patience though. Constantly look for new ways to expand your understanding of yourself. Expose yourself to new and unfamiliar things. Explore old things to see if your feelings towards them have changed (and don't forget to ask yourself why your feelings changed).

Hopefully this helps you, because it's what I did, and it worked for me.

And if it's not the answer you were looking for (eg. wrong context or subject) I appologize for wasting your time.

(Bows)
Deare M’Lord Skitzafritz,
I loved your knowledge placed in this topic puts a light on the matter very keenly and most important to this thread, very precious and I will grow upon your knowledge on the matter. Thanks a lot.

I again see more vision & comments and discussion by all masters, on the matter to expand my knowledge and analysis.

I doubt any of us are "Masters" of life or otherwise truly knowledgeable about its true purposes and potentials. All of us are students, or should so consider ourselves. After all, the foundational principle for learning is to be teachable, which most certainly has as its prerequisite... humility.

As previously mentioned, honesty with oneself is also of equal importance. Self deception is one of the greatest barriers to progression as it enslaves that person to living a lie rather than facing the truth, no matter how unpleasant or difficult, and keeps them from taking the steps needed to make changes and overcome and progress beyond the unpleasant truths they face. Another great stumbling block are the many enslavements and addictions we take on and for which most begin to learn to lie to themselves in justification thereof.

If, as I also believe, Happiness is a journey rather than a destination, then it also stands to reason that all forms of fulfillment are likewise journeys... including that of self-fulfillment. Thus, we are all on that same journey of self-discovery and self-realization, of first discovering and then slowly nurturing and reaping the fruits of all our potentials in this life, both tapped and as-yet untapped. And to whatever degree we are able to discover and develop such, our progression in this life and its attendant benefits and fulfillments are likewise realized and fulfilled.

Anyway... my $0.02 worth.


- Upir'

Very well put, Upir.

One of my favorite quotes (by Thoreau) "Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..."

This falls kind of in line with both previous answers. Knowing yourself, and having the patience for self discovery and the humility to ask questions and gain more knowledge all go hand in hand.

These things will lead you to an inner peace (I believe) as you are able to realize what little things you can do to be content. Much better to appreciate a short walk on a beautiful autumn afternoon, or a half hour of reading about something new (or whatever other pastimes you enjoy) than to be jealous or bitter of the neighbor's new car or the fact that someone else proved you wrong on a topic you considered yourself an expert at.

As Upir stated, we are all students, and while some of us may be more advanced than others, we all have different experiences and thoughts on this topic - that doesn't mean that any of us are wrong, we just found what is working for our own personal souls so far.

There's a lot of variation on that.
The one i agree most with is that the True Self is the Ideal Self. Basically how you want to be.
And that your current self will one day join your ideal self,
if you stay true to it.
But perspectives change, so Ideal is never the end.

and dont bother with the bowing. we're all equals here and it makes you seem suspicious. in my view, anyway.

(Bows in utmost reverence)

Thanks to the M’Lord UpirLikhyz, M’Lady BluSpirit and M’Lord Cabrion for their beautiful vision and master comment on the matter.

My stance, without lowering self and those who unveil precious knowledge, without treating them teacher or master, one can not gain the knowledge. Coz knowledge is kept in the dark away from common peepal.

As M’Lady Oceanne said we all have two beasts inside, one is good and one is bad and the beasts are fight with each other and the one win whom we feed.

These view makes me grow upon the matter very fast. And interestingly I seek more knowledge over this topic in discussion manner or expert comment on the topic or vision on the topic. I really love and grow upon this knowledge.

(Bows)

Seek the light without... that strengthens the light within.


- Upir'

The above comment is very beautiful and lovely phrase and precisely puts the knowledge on the road to enlightenment and I love this phrase and will follow in meditation. Coz ascension always cause in the dark first.

I find the irony of asking someone outside of you what your true self is rather amusing.

I'm reminded of an old zen story about a very wise man named Ma Tzu. Ma Tzu lived alone high on a mountain. One day, a young man on a spiritual pilgrimage came to Ma Tzu's cabin. After coming in, he asked the sage, "Ma Tzu, in order for me to attain enlightenment, what must I meditate upon?"

Ma Tzu quickly threw the young man out of a window, then leaped after him, landing heavily upon his chest. As the young man gasped for breath, Ma Tzu asked him, "Do you still want to know what to meditate upon?"

Having just seen his life flash before his eyes, the young man realized that he has only himself to seek. He left Ma Tzu more enlightened than when he had come.

(Bows)
Thanks M’Lord Nemo for your precious vision on Master.
That is true, meditating on breathe gives enlightenment with great respire. Growth of consciousness of the self too is enlightenment.

Your true self is whenever you are able to fully accept who you are, without judgement. That is how one finds peace within themselves.

For example, if one notices they mostly have negative thoughts, one may say 'oh wow, maybe i'm thinking too negatively." That is self criticism and witnessing it. When one stops criticizing themselves, will stop doing the same to others, thus making things more peaceful as a whole.

That is why is it important that people take time peacefully to themselves, to sit, to think, to open the mind, to meditate and learn more about what is already within.

I agree with cabrion.

For me, it is just about coming to peace with your own body and soul. (This goes from calling yourself fat to listening to your heart- as well as your mind, dreams, etc.)

To never lie to yourself about feelings, emotions, thoughts, beliefs, comfort levels, fears, weaknesses, strengths....

Everyone has their own idea of what their True Self is... everyone will have their own outlook on it, and it should be that way... if everyone's perfect person was the same, it would be quite a boring world.

to crush your enemies
to drive them before you
and to hear the lamentations of their women!

oh, yeah...that was what conan said, not me.

personally i think its been said. ask yourself why.

in politics, why do you feel the way you do?
in religion, ditto

do you do things because that is what you were told to do, or because in your deepest heart, is what feels right?

look within, and if you accept something with little or no research, ask yourself why you do.

just my thoughts
~W~

True self is knowing there is no perfection. Everything around us is imperfect. Everyone around us too. True self is understanding your faults, your gifts, your character and your hature. Integrating all of the above into yourself and growing from learning within yourself. Others would say attributes like trust, loyalty, love, honesty can be inclusive but you cannot have these unless you are willing to accept yourself as an imperfect creature first, then learning to grow from that.

venumstings,

To know your true self, you need to look within, and draw your own conclusions. No one can tell you what your true self is, other than you.

Upir- why do you always have to talk everything to death? I'm sorry if im being rude, but cant you ever just try to sound not so smart all the time?

It sounds dimwitted the way i worded it, but i dont know how to explain it any other way

Upir always has some very respectable viewpoints and his education level shouldn't intimidate someone, but rather embraced for what it is.

I understand this conversation but it made me research what others beliefs were on the true self thought. I found two good websites that I would like to share.

Comparison: Typical Behavioral
Traits of True and False Selves


The True Self

Very little intimidates me. I respect it, but sometimes it is just not necessary

I guess that in the end, it really depends on what YOUR true self is. How YOU view yourself and your self esteem.

What is true self to me is as many have stated you have to come to terms with yourself as to being honset with oneself as to who you are and I mean truely are within as well as the outer part of yourself. Honesty , love respect yourself yet realise each and everyone of us may look at our true self differently, this is what makes each person unique in there own way.

We all like different things and to know what you like and want out of life is one of the main things to true self discovery, you need to trust your instincts, your decisions etc. I am one about respect, when we have no respect for ourselves or another then we are not being real or honest with ourselves. lookinto your heart, your conscience, your very soul. it is a lifetime of realization for some and not for others. To find ones true self.

I accept me myself as I am inside and out. I do not care what others may think I am not living for them. Iam living for me. I have several Convictions that I stand true to no matter what or who you are. I feel I know my true self, some may not like me and I respect that, again each is different if not as was said it would be very very boring here on earth LOl.

I do feel that while we might declare to others that we never care what others think,we in fact do.At one time or another.In some capacity.I think we are our true selves when we are alone,with our thoughts and feelings.That might be a good time to look closely at yourself VS.To see what your true self might be.

true self is what we actually are without the world moulding us into something were not. True self is how we actually are and not how people interperit us or want us to be.

True self is a fabrication. We are molded by our surroundings and have "no self "but are made up of the things that we perceive to be true, which are constantly changing with new input.

(Bows in utmost reverence)
This is true I think so,
Lord Doru too is true as its all fabricated to mortal life, but to one life what it be true self which is acceptable to the consciousness, is fabrication...
The eternal scenerio our true self should be different from what we are behaving in materialistic life what our true self be...

Well I can only really repeat what others such as Upir have already stated.

Your true self is the honest person within you. The part of you that hides nothing from yourself and you live your life the way you want to live it. You accept others opinions and words of wisdom, but listen to your own counsel first.

There are not masks, no barriers and no falsehoods when you are your true self.

I'm a convert to the Buddhist belief in An-Atman or no self . I think all that exists as self is just another step on the ladder towards the cessation of self and ultimate oneness with everything .

I think that every person we meet and interact with see's a different facet of our personality , so which facet can possibly be our true self . Is it when we are still with only our own self to reflect with ?, but to reflect and ask questions of ourselves there must be another self that exists , a higher self maybe . So which self is the true self ?

Then take into account moods , we can be a different person from one hour to the next . Then think years worth of experiences and how our self changes as a result . We shed of our old selves and grow , self is in a constant state of flux , of growth . I don't believe that self is ever fixed , it can never be pin pointed and therefore no true self is ever discernible . If you did glimpse your true self in doing so you would have evolved and then would not be the self you glimpsed .

As a child we are molded to be the adult we perceive we should be. Our thoughts are the spawn of all we have experienced, they are not our own, but of every experience we have made.

We are merely a vessel to be molded by time with a limited perception of truth.

All I know is this.

Don't care what others think of you. Make your own decisions for your reasons not for anyone elses!!!

Meditation and looking with yourself, facing your good self and your bad self. getting to know who you truly are!

I enjoy all inputs. I believe some wear masks, and some people have small seeds within that need only water so they may grow. I have taken off my mask, now aware off the seed that grows within. I believe true self is always growing reaching out seeking food in which we grow. and as a old part of us dies it becomes food for a new budding plant-flower.

My true self is who i am when i dont try to b anything and when im all alone and i let lose

The only way i can answer this question is by saying, it is almost impossible to describe in words. It is more so our actions and responsiblilities and the influences as well as the environments around us that make us who we are.

MoonBubble stated it very well, I have to agree with that perspective. If self is to be construed as the development of the personality, as environmental and other influences, whether they be other people, the music you listen to, the visual environment in your personal space...all of these things help to develop and nurture (or not) the true self. As time marches on and our environments change, so do we.

What do you have therefore in true self if you have more than one personality though? Or perhaps personality is affected by head injury or emotional trauma? Or personality is affected, as in my case by seizures...or other neurological disorder? Then how does one obtain their view of true self when it changes in the flux of neurons transpiring in the gray matter?

Therefore from my perspective, I have to agree with MoonBubble's summation regarding true self as not being "fixed"...but variable in nature.

I too agree with MoonBubble, we spend much time searching for guidance outside of ourselves, but ultimately we find that it is within ourselves that we find our true self. We are our own raw material, we create ourselves and then live what we create.

We don't have a true self. We are just the image of our mind. Beecause we are changing everyday, that is the result of my answer.

y are we saying what our true self is if we are happy with who we are?

in most cases the True Self is the Ideal Self, which is essentially who a person wishes him or herself to be. The Ideal Self often changes throughout one's life.
Unless we're talking something else, in which case... Astral Self, Higher Self, Soul Image, Totem, whatev.

Inner truths which make up you as a person. Convictions or desires you put in place to maintain your life and it's paths into the future. Inner strengths that put you above those who believe less in theirs.

I think when the mask that everyone wears
from day to day, the one that hides how we
feel about life, falls away and poeple show how
they feel about life. That is what it means to
have a true self.

this ones simple if you think about it, One's True Self is whatever we believe our selves to be true to.... rite?

Cabron.. I'm sure you know of the Joharis Quadrant. Thus, I'd say it's a tad more than one's ideal.. though, that would come into it.. hell, there's percived self.. hidden etc.. what's the true self?

only you can answer that.

nah, i'm not really into shapes.

But i do agree to an extent

The ideal self is some fantasy that we carry around as a measure of what we might be if the fairy god mother ever shows up. Often, this is a picture of life, our life, that we have changed very little since childhood. By taking the time to really examine the depth of the ideal self, we see indirectly how we have judged or dismissed whom we are. The real self is a comparison to that ideal self. It is a description of who am I, really, right now. By comparing the ideal with the real, we begin to see the gaps in perception we have created, the judgments we have made about ourselves, and the gaps that could be preventing us from fully living our lives in the moment as the person that we truly are.

at the risk of sounding stupid ima say this

what is true self is something no once can give you the answers to but yours self look in to your heart and you will find it what is true self to you is not the same for another

like me i can be an arse at times i do what i can to help others and by helping others i feel i better my self i follow my heart and where it takes me it will define me in who i am and i have been threw adventurers that alot of people would say was crazy and stupid i have a passion to see new things and travel the world meet new friends and people i dont have a shy spirit i have my base witch is here in florida my home i have walked from here to new york tx all over people say im stupid because i walked but by walking you have a better view of life i am kind hearted for the most part i take a lot of risks in life because life with out risk is not life at all and i strongly beleave that my dream is to go to australia i dont know why but something tells me thats where i need to go but true self to me is follow your heart and you will know what true self is