Who we are inside is who we really are

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
I often reflect that what we look like really doesn't matter that much, because it is not the real us. The body is but our vehicle to live on earth. It must be kept healthy of course but that's only part of it. The inside soul, is so different it would be unrecognisable as us if it was visible.

Today's world emphasises physical beauty and perfection but that is surely misleading. Our bodies will always deteriorate. But our soul is eternal and it is vital to nurture it. When it suffers , our physical self suffers.

Does that make any sense?
 

Sure it makes sense, in many ways. In my head I'm still somewhere around 25 years old most of the time and when I encounter a new physical limitation sometimes that doesn't even seem real.

Even when I accept that, I'm trying to move ahead rather than giving up on all fronts. It isn't always easy, and there can be setbacks from time to time. I'm not ready to embrace chair dancing and Bingo and start consciously counting down my days yet.
 
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You seem to be simplistically, broadly, wondering and annoyed at why society and culture are more interested in human aesthetics than some human interpersonal and or mental qualities. Your mistake is in not narrowly defining what specific facet of such you seem to be thinking about because in a broad sense there are myriad circumstances that would be exceptions.

An advertisement with advantages and benefit for enrolling at a specific college would necessarily target their overwhelmingly young just out of high school audience despite the fact a few older folks might apply to classes. A senior living apartment complex would on the other hand market to we older folks and not high schoolers. All products, all activities have varying demographics.

There is no mechanism in our cultures that is grading or evaluating each one of us for our personal accomplishments, education, knowledge, religious or philosophical beliefs, social and communication skills, physical abilities, and much more. We in our largely free society are all independently living our lives free from some kind of caste system or brand on our heads such that we do not know much about how random citizens rate on any of those facets. When one walks in a church, a court room, a supermarket, or a bowling alley, all enter with the same level of respect and access.

With media news such is true also. A newspaper weekly Entertainment section is going to market towards local urban entertainment that is available. For instance, live club music, young people have interest in because they are by far the only ones going to such venues. Likewise a clothing store that sell women's bathing suits won't be interested in addressing what some 60 year old thinks about such clothes. A store selling walking canes won't be of interest to teenagers. So yeah there are a myriad different situations...it all depends on specifics.
 

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Yes Rose, it makes a lot of sense.

When I was young, my looks seemed excessively important. I wouldnā€™t leave my apartment without my make up on. People looked at me , so I ā€˜thoughtā€™ I had to look my best.

When I was really young, I didnā€™t care much what I looked like. Now that Iā€™m older, I donā€™t really care much what I look like. My focus isnā€™t really on myself. Iā€™ve now got more important things to focus on. This isnā€™t to say, I donā€™t look after myself.
 
"What we are inside is what we really are." This suggests that what makes us who we are is our physical body, our biology, our physiology, and our genetic makeup. It suggests that our true self is determined by the physical and material world. I lean towards this meaning. I do not believe in a personal self/soul.
 
Paco Dennis said:
"What we are inside is what we really are." This suggests that what makes us who we are is our physical body, our biology, our physiology, and our genetic makeup. It suggests that our true self is determined by the physical and material world. I lean towards this meaning. I do not believe in a personal self/soul.
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Can you expand on this a little. I don't think that quote suggests our physical body is what we really are and am not sure I follow what you are saying.
 
Our reactions to the physical world, and our bodies being an extremely complex physical entity determines our experiences. Our brain, made up of millions of neurons triggers our emotions and thoughts. This process is in constant flux, as are our experiences and reactions. It remains such a complex phenomena that it is unknowable, so it is often thought of as separate being from the body. I don't think there is a body plus a soul/personal self. Just a mass of bones, blood, waste, glands, etc.... :)
 
I think that my consciousness is eternal and immortal and is on a journey that began before I was born in 1953 and will continue after I experience the event that we call "death". However, my consciousness currently lives in my body and this material life is part of that longer journey, so I make a daily effort to maintain my physical wellness, primarily through a healthy diet and regular exercise. My mental health? That could use some improvement but I'm doing better with that than I used to do.
My appearance? Average, unremarkable and I've always been OK with how I look. Even losing my hair isn't that big of a deal......except that on sunny days outdoors the sunshine really beats down on that bare scalp.
 
Anatomy is Destiny

American actor Paul Newman said he was simply blessed with good bone structure. He took all of the proceeds from his signature spaghetti sauce and donated it all to charity.

There was a stand-up comedian in my town who I sort of knew. Problem was he didn't look funny. He had a 'resting grouchy face'. I think this is why he never made it very far in the industry, because he was a funny guy.

Our looks play a vital role in the outcome of our lives whether you choose to admit that or not.
 
Rose65 said:
I often reflect that what we look like really doesn't matter that much, because it is not the real us. The body is but our vehicle to live on earth. It must be kept healthy of course but that's only part of it. The inside soul, is so different it would be unrecognisable as us if it was visible.

Today's world emphasises physical beauty and perfection but that is surely misleading. Our bodies will always deteriorate. But our soul is eternal and it is vital to nurture it. When it suffers , our physical self suffers.

Does that make any sense?
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Lots of sense. I feel my inside world is just that. An inside world that is only mine.
The outside world is around me.
It's why I worry about AI. I don't want it to force it's way into my inside world.
 
hearlady said:
Lots of sense. I feel my inside world is just that. An inside world that is only mine.
The outside world is around me.
It's why I worry about AI. I don't want it to force it's way into my inside world.
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I am sure that won't happen. Whatever goes on in this world, we each have our own private existence.
 
Rose65 said:
I am sure that won't happen. Whatever goes on in this world, we each have our own private existence.
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Don't you think that our surroundings and environment influences what we experience? Having some fear of AI is healthy IMO. It has already shown us how wrong it can be with the whole "woke" fiasco that Google showed off to the whole world. We are in part a reflection of the culture we embrace. Being skillful about what enviroment we chose to be in seems rather important. AI is just now breaking into our environment in a new and pervasive manner. I intend to keep my shields up for now, and be very careful what creeps into my inner life.
 
Nio doubt I was given employment based on standars o a privileged white man plus a mental illness most assuredly meant I would be hired. Appearance is everything, this includes faking it until make it. No one really knows what they are doing as long as you are appealing, youā€™ve got it made.
 
Repondering said:
I think that my consciousness is eternal and immortal and is on a journey that began before I was born in 1953 and will continue after I experience the event that we call "death". However, my consciousness currently lives in my body and this material life is part of that longer journey, so I make a daily effort to maintain my physical wellness, primarily through a healthy diet and regular exercise. My mental health? That could use some improvement but I'm doing better with that than I used to do.
My appearance? Average, unremarkable and I've always been OK with how I look. Even losing my hair isn't that big of a deal......except that on sunny days outdoors the sunshine really beats down on that bare scalp.
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I agree with you. Some people imagine that consciousness is primary and present in every thing, creature and person. What we are (along with other factors) shapes the quality of consciousness we can manifest. That, in turn, shapes the way we use our attention.

Other people imagine we are just stuff binging around the universe pushed mindlessly by previous causes entirely determined and explainable by physics.

Whatever we imagine about what/who we are shapes the consciousness we can manifest and the way we dispose our attention. Everyone has foundational beliefs but not everyone realizes they do. They may also not realize the power of their imagination to fundamentally shape their experience.
 
Rose65 said:
I often reflect that what we look like really doesn't matter that much, because it is not the real us. The body is but our vehicle to live on earth. It must be kept healthy of course but that's only part of it. The inside soul, is so different it would be unrecognisable as us if it was visible.

Today's world emphasises physical beauty and perfection but that is surely misleading. Our bodies will always deteriorate. But our soul is eternal and it is vital to nurture it. When it suffers , our physical self suffers.

Does that make any sense?
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There is a lot packed into this post.

What is most influential, how we look or how we feel?
Why are we addicted to perceptions of beauty?
Why do we accept that the only way we can be our real selves is to get surgery?
Are we all, to an extent, narcissists?
Is there a soul?
What is the relation between the soul and the physical?

Now THAT would be a long reply. :D

However, one thing to be clear about - I don't believe in a soul. I don't believe I live on once I'm passed. I don't believe I'll rise up to heaven and everything will be great. I'll just be gone. We leave physical remnants behind. We live on in terms of the memories of others. But that's it.

We also live a lot of our lives instinctively, but we don't like to admit it.
 
VaughanJB said:
There is a lot packed into this post.

What is most influential, how we look or how we feel?
Why are we addicted to perceptions of beauty?
Why do we accept that the only way we can be our real selves is to get surgery?
Are we all, to an extent, narcissists?
Is there a soul?
What is the relation between the soul and the physical?

Now THAT would be a long reply. :D

However, one thing to be clear about - I don't believe in a soul. I don't believe I live on once I'm passed. I don't believe I'll rise up to heaven and everything will be great. I'll just be gone. We leave physical remnants behind. We live on in terms of the memories of others. But that's it.

We also live a lot of our lives instinctively, but we don't like to admit it.
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I have a different view, I believe our soul is our real and eternal self. Only here temporarily. I look forward to the next life in heaven as I believe, hope, I shall be with God. Without that hope I see no point in anything.
 
MarkD said:
I agree with you. Some people imagine that consciousness is primary and present in every thing, creature and person. What we are (along with other factors) shapes the quality of consciousness we can manifest. That, in turn, shapes the way we use our attention.

Other people imagine we are just stuff binging around the universe pushed mindlessly by previous causes entirely determined and explainable by physics.

Whatever we imagine about what/who we are shapes the consciousness we can manifest and the way we dispose our attention. Everyone has foundational beliefs but not everyone realizes they do. They may also not realize the power of their imagination to fundamentally shape their experience.
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Thatā€™s a great post.
 
Rose65 said:
I have a different view, I believe our soul is our real and eternal self. Only here temporarily. I look forward to the next life in heaven as I believe, hope, I shall be with God. Without that hope I see no point in anything.
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I hear you, Rose. I am sure your faith is of great comfort. If that faith has truly helped you through your life, then either way it's been a good thing for you, and that's truly terrific. I can also appreciate that if you're correct, then there's a lot to look forward to. I hope you're right!
 
VaughanJB said:
I hear you, Rose. I am sure your faith is of great comfort. If that faith has truly helped you through your life, then either way it's been a good thing for you, and that's truly terrific. I can also appreciate that if you're correct, then there's a lot to look forward to. I hope you're right!
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Thanks.
One of us is right, one of us has a lot to lose!
 

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