The Wisdom Of The Orange Bowl
Lunch on the farm was always a fun production. Typically breakfast was at the table but lunch and dinner were downstairs where it was just a bit cooler and we could get some music or a movie in. This required a shift of chairs and all kinds of minor setup that I had chosen to take on. This particular day, we were having noodles and I was helping serve and asked whose was whose and Amber said, “I am not the color of the bowl I slurp my noodles from.”
In the moment we both got a good laugh, but as I was slurping my noodles (from the orange bowl of course) I started to think about all the things that we take on as identity. What if our identities, like the color of our noodle bowls, are simply arbitrary labels we’ve assigned ourselves? What if, beneath these layers of societal conditioning, familial expectations, and personal narratives, we discover a core essence that is universal, interconnected, and profoundly beautiful?
Societal Conditioning and Identity
Let’s embark on a journey to peel back these layers, to rediscover our authentic selves and to understand how we are fundamentally connected to all that is.
A significant factor in creating our identity is societal conditioning. It’s as if society hands us a blueprint for how to be, and let’s just say, sometimes the architects of that blueprint had a questionable sense of owner of a questionable sense of humor. Gender roles, for instance, can feel like a one-size-fits-all outfit that doesn’t always match your personal style. We’ve been handed scripts about how to act, look, and behave, and it can be challenging to break free from the lines we’ve memorized.
Family life can feel like a well-worn script, with roles assigned and expectations clearly outlined. You’ve got the “golden child,” the “rebel,” and the “invisible middle child” – classic character archetypes that can be as comfortable as an old sweater, but sometimes, like that sweater with a hole, they don’t quite fit. These familial roles can be both a source of comfort and constraint. On one hand, they provide a sense of belonging and identity. On the other, they can limit our personal growth and stifle our individuality. Breaking free from these scripted roles can be challenging, but it’s essential for discovering our authentic selves.
Then add in occupations, hobbies, and everything else that life throws at us and we can see how our identities are shaped and formed. Beyond family and gender, countless other factors shape our identities: occupation, hobbies, social groups, and even the clothes we wear. We accumulate labels like badges, defining ourselves by our roles and accomplishments.
The Illusion of Separation
We live in a world that reinforces the idea of individuality. Marketing tells us we need specific products to define who we are. Social media algorithms curate experiences that create echo chambers, reinforcing our perceived differences. Yet, science offers a different perspective.
Quantum physics suggests that everything in the universe is interconnected. We are composed of the same elements as the stars, sharing the same atomic structure. Our bodies are a bustling metropolis of trillions of cells, each communicating and cooperating with the other. This intricate dance of life mirrors the interconnectedness of the cosmos.
Our minds, too, are part of a greater consciousness. Neuroscience reveals that our brains are constantly influenced by external stimuli, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This suggests that our individual experiences are not isolated, but rather influenced by the collective human experience.
Our thoughts are susceptible to external influence, even against our will | ScienceDaily
Dismantling the Ego Construct
To truly understand ourselves, we must challenge the illusion of a separate self. Two of the people whose work I have studied come to mind here, Alan Watts and Christopher Duncan. Both of these incredible thinkers have dedicated their lives to exploring the nature of consciousness and the human experience.
Similarities between Watts and Duncan Both Watts and Duncan share a core belief in the illusory nature of the ego. They see the ego as a mental construct that creates a false sense of separation from the world around us. This shared perspective is foundational to their teachings on consciousness and identity. Additionally, both emphasized the importance of direct experience and intuition in understanding the nature of reality. They encouraged readers to question their assumptions and to look beyond the mind’s conceptual framework.
Differences between Watts and Duncan While Watts offers a philosophical exploration of the ego, Duncan provides a more practical framework for transcending it, emphasizing personal transformation and empowerment.
Understanding the ego is crucial, but it’s equally important to know how to dismantle its grip on our lives. In The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer equates the ego to the Monkey Mind, the incessant chatter of thoughts and emotions constantly distracting us from our true nature.
From this witness consciousness, we can tap into our connection to The Force, Universe, Tao, Mother Father God, or whatever you want to call the energy that creates worlds and create truly awesome lives.
So, let’s shed these labels like an overstuffed closet. We are not just our job titles, relationship statuses, or the color of the bowl we slurp our noodles from. We are not our social media handles, our zodiac signs, or our favorite coffee orders. We are something far more profound, interconnected, and beautiful. Let’s embrace the mystery of our true selves and discover the magic that lies beneath the layers of identity.
