The Minutiae
It is in the minutiae that we find the flow of history.
It is in the minutiae that we find the flow of history.
Age 45, London, England.
Educated and worked within psychology and pharma until 36. Retired from corporate life and living as an acupuncturist and traveler in Asia ever since.
I would say it’s simple cause and effect. We have experienced 10,000+ years of unnatural patriarchal societies including crowding into cities, living lives humans aren’t evolved for, far detached from our tribal foundations. We then pass on this trauma, that we no longer realize as such, through our risky tribes of three or four, I believe this is the biggest factor in shaping who we are today. Hence the majority of people are experiencing severe physical or mental suffering.
Question: Do you think individuals can change who they are?
Answer: Yes, actually. I think that’s one of the characteristics of being human.
Question: How much of who we are is decided by evolution or environment and how much (if any) is decided by us?
Answer:
That’s a million-dollar question. Whatever we believe, I don’t know if there is any point in anything in life if we don’t believe we can change. So we have to believe that change is possible. That’s one of the only constants in this universe, change. On one level I have to believe that, but do I know that? I do know that I have changed profoundly in the past. But I also know that I have gone through a lot of trauma in the past. My family has deeply damaged me. Will I ever be free from that? I don’t know… Can I change, can I leave this overwhelming guilt behind? I don’t know. I have made a lot of progress. I have found some freedom from this life of torture. I have had a life less ordinary, the things I have done and the things I do. It’s not an ordinary life.
I believe we do have 100% responsibility and control over ourselves. This is, however, our life’s work. It is our spiritual practice and responsibility to work on ourselves to find a way to overcome and transcend (pass through) our life challenges.
In my case, it’s narcissistic parents. My challenge is to find the way to face this, grow, love myself, and notice what it means to be alive. And to try and be kind in the process.
It is possible to change. I won’t ever be some godly saint. But I can change into the best version of myself. A version that gives more love than hate. A version that tries to help others when possible. A version that tries his best not to harm others. And a version that finds a way to forgive.