Have you ever read something so thought-provoking that it caused you to question everything? I’m sure the answer is yes, but what’s more is that upon this reflection, you have no answers. There are tools and resources that point us in the right direction, but every person will interpret the information differently. These questions are nothing new, but there will be a contrary answer for each individual mind. Here are the questions that came up during a reflection of mine, and that I plan to answer in a future post.

How do we understand ourselves? How do we understand each other? Is one more important than the other when seeking this knowledge and do we truly seek to understand knowledge or are we seeking to understand ourselves through learning?

What knowledge is needed to understand oneself? Does experience count as knowledge; because every instance is our own understanding of what is being learned from moment to moment? Do we cease to co-exist because of our lack of understanding and naivety? Must we understand others before we can understand ourselves, or must we understand ourselves before we can understand others?

How do we define what that means for each individual, and are moral principles the primary factor in understanding? Are universal ethics a starting point and is that possible?

Perhaps the main question here, if enough have not been posed already, is what does it mean to understand oneself? Is there even such a thing as understanding?

We create what a “thing” is, and choose what we believe to be true based on that biased perception. Where does righteousness play into that mindset and does judgment become inevitable; therefore, looping us right back to the first question: how do we understand ourselves to understand others based on one’s distorted (biased) knowledge?

How does one’s understanding of life, love, and virtues impact our ability, or inability, to function in a world with so many vantage points? A world prone to the resistance of new ideas and acceptance, and of haughtiness if one’s view of ideas aren’t acknowledged or praised.

We should reflect more. No, I take that back. Should statements are part of the problem. I need to reflect more. No, need statements are also part of the problem. I will reflect more. Yes. Self- accountability. That is where we start. Taking action and learning from inaction. That gives us knowledge. That gives us the power to ignite change. If that’s what we’re seeking. Is it change or understanding that we want?

​Does anyone master understanding or does the [super] ego master all things? Therefore, is it possible to be humbly knowledgeable? If understanding is always sought, is knowledge dismissive of learning? 

These are just a few of the questions I plan to contemplate during my digestion of awareness, as I continue to feed on new perspectives outside of those I have been conditioned to devour. Who knows what may come of it?

That is my self-conscious speaking from a place of unfortunate demur, but I welcome you to join me, anyway.

Subscribe below to follow me on my reflection.