Glad me, sad me, true me?

[Seeker of Matter]

Well, I was wondering about something. Something actually very basic. Something that is commonly talked about - "Who you are".

My theory is that we are all schizo. That we are actually many personalities in one single body.  I constantly hear about how we all put up masks all the time. How we take different roles and how we in the end are not acting like our true selves. So I thought "who is your true self"? Are we in the end not just a massive collection of masks? Is there really anything behind the masks?

I will use myself as an example.
I have a mask for when I am in school and together with my friends there I am usually very witty and light spirited and I am the one telling every body not to worry so much about life and just take it easy. That is me when I am together with people. Then there is the "me" when I am alone. I can get very negative and depressed when I am alone. I think alot when I am alone but it never makes me happy in any way. Then there is the me when I "do things". That "me" does not think very much ahead because if I did, I would not get anything done – that is my experience.
I find that different situations call our different personalities in me  

But who is the true me behind all these different "Is"? Which is the main personality? Is there really anything behind the masks?

[moth]

First of all.

My theory is that we are all schizo. That we are actually many personalities in one single body.

That is not schizophrenia.


but, what you are saying. cant they all just be aspects of *you*. like they don't have to be different personalities, but could be parts of One, that come out in different situations or with different people. That is my understanding of how I am. because I do that too, have Masks with different people. some people are consistent in how they are with whoever they are. I'm not. I'm different depending on my mood and where I am and who I'm with.

[Seeker of Matter]

Yes but when you think about it are you ever able to say "this is the true me". When do you know when you are not just aspects of yourself, but truly yourself?

[ap]

Hi all,

Interesting topic here.  I have tried to do some experiments with this with the following results:

(1) I found that it is possible for me to watch myself thinking, feeling an emotion, or physically doing something.  So is the real me the one thinking, feeling and doing or is the real me the one who can stand back a little and observe me doing these things?

(2) I found at times, for just a split second or two that there is another part of me that can watch me watching myself doing these activities.  This is really bizarre and I wish I could hold it long enough to really study it as I find this to be the most interesting one.  

I wonder how far one could take this with practice.  Is there another part of me that can observe me observing me observing me?  I suspect there is and maybe the farther back I can go with this, the closer I will be to finding the true me.  Maybe it is like a trickle down effect.

It is possible that the "masks" that I use during my  physical waking time are just manifestations of egos or personality that wishes to present itself in a certain way to others but is not the true me.

Hope this isn't as confusing to read as it is to experience.  

[Rob]

"That we are actually many personalities in one single body."

Yeah I read that on beelzebubbas site once (mysticweb), one of the courses I think, spent practically an entire book trying to hammer the point home. I got bored about 3/4 the way through when I decided it wasnt going anywhere else. Anyway, I agreed at first, but on reflection, this is a limited point of view (and to some extent relies on semantics, which is never good).
First, the surface "you" forms from a range of subconscious "programs", if you like. The key point, already mentioned above by others, is that what comes out in one instant is just part of a scale/range that our surface personalities occupy. So to clarify, while personalities seem to occupy discrete points, when looked at from a higher perspective, the points all form part of a range.

Second point:
Underneath the many facets of "you" and the temporary forms and personalities we wear is an utterly vast and formless being. This is the true essence of "you". So no division due to changing form, because there is no form, there is only the incandescent essence of consciousness.

AP!! Good work!!! I know exactly what you're talking about. I've gone down this path, and came to the conclusion which is my second point (just above). I wrote more in detail about this approach at http://www.ourultimatereality.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40&highlight= if you are interested.
Rob

[Seeker of Matter]

Thanks for the answers you guys. I will reply tomorrow when I am not seeing the world through the eyes of alcohol. I wonder if being drunk would fit as another personality as well? The "drunk me", that has got to be a part of me also!!

Well good night all