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Awareness & Reality

How do we know that we exist?

The Illusion of Self

Since nothing in the universe is unique or accurately definable, neither then can the self be. The self is probably why we believe in time, in separatism, a higher being, or anything we believe in. The self is probably the basis of belief. It is probably the illusion of the self which most actively inspires the idea of separatism. I would argue that both of the following premises are mutually true:

The self does not exist.

If the self does exist, the term must be inclusive of everything that exists.

When people refer to their self, they refer to their physical body and consciousness as separate from all those around them. I don't think separatism is a logical outlook. If you are sitting in a chair, how can you tell exactly where you end and the chair begins? Both you and the chair are made up of tiny molecules which are made up of atoms, which are made up of subatomic particles. When you sit on the chair (assuming you are naked), you introduce new molecules, atoms and subatomic particles to the chair and vice versa. When you stand up, both you and the chair are left with some of one another.

The Periodic Table of the elements categorizes atoms by type, based on how many subatomic particles are contained in the atom's nucleus. The synthetic elements on the Periodic Table were created by adding subatomic particles to existing atoms, creating new forms of atoms; or elements. All of the most basic components of the universe are interchangeable building blocks, so the implication that there is a self, separate from the rest of the universe has no scientific basis that I am aware of. Is there any part of you which is not an interchangeable part of the universe? Is there any part of you that is separate from all other things; something which could only be described as your self? The idea that you are separate from the chair and vice versa is part of a belief system I refer to as separatism.

Of all the things we can't prove the existence of, the self is probably the most widely believed in. The more the self is defined the more beliefs people hold and the more closed minded they become. This is often a snowballing illusion.

For example, most people tend to believe that they have five senses at their disposal; sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. It's the interface we assign ourselves in order to interact with the outside environment. However, when we really study each of these senses, they all rely on the very same principle;


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How do we know that we exist?

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