One thing I’ve noticed, again and again, is that the internet allows us to adopt a persona – a mask that conveys an impression we wish to convey – and that such a persona wouldn’t last very long in a face to face conversation with someone who truly knows us.
I’ve seen it all too often. People I know as honest, sensitive, and questioning, people who are taking the time to be authentic – - these same people feel they have to produce facebook comments that are witty and sassy and altogether less fully wise that the person I know. Some of them are here on Intent, as well, I suspect. And so, in a moment of ego, of wishing to appear more confident than they are, wonderful people lose sight of their inner selves and wave goodbye to real insight.
It’s nice to be in the realm of ego, and of posturing. It’s fun; but let’s not pretend it’s a suitable diet for a healthy mind and heart. In my more skeptical moments I suspect the internet is helping us to be more in this ego world where no one knows us well enough to challenge us, and therefore we are less in a space in which we are being honest and vulnerable. Even as more of us are writing (and reading) more than ever before I fear that we are in danger of becoming more remote from our authentic selves.
We can reverse this trend if we wish. I’m game. How about you?
Yes I wonder about this myself. I try to write the way I think which is not always the same as the way I speak. I tend to have a family voice and a working voice, be it a voice guided by respect. Do you really believe there's an ego world? Isn't it only there because we judge it to be? When does confidence or enthusiasm become ego? I'd have thought only when someone judges it to be there. Cheers, Simon.
If you are an authentic person you will retain your integrity even on the internet. I happen to disagree with your conclusions even if I respect your observations, experiences and impressions for what they are.
Personally I find your entry general and somewhat judgmental. A healthy mind and heart as you put it, will not be affected by a technology which in itself can be very useful. Everything starts on the inside, never 'out there'. There is no world outside of the one you create.
As a metaphor: a homeless person who wakes up from his sleep under a bridge sees a different world from that of a person who wakes up in a palace. However, in case they would awaken to the Unified Reality their vision will not differ, no matter the circumstances.
Our projections are our mirrors. We have a persona-we all play many roles and where the persona acts, on what stage, makes no difference to me.
Peace.
Astrea
I've thought about this lately. When I was first getting to know my now ex-boyfriend, how much time and effort I spent emailing him funny, cute and thoughtful messages. So perhaps he would like me more?
I started checking out Intent because I like reading Deepak Chopra and David Simon's blogs. This has led me to start reading other people's blogs. More information I'm gathering…taking more time, etc, etc. And I'm on the hamster wheel. A quote from Deepak that I like…"what you seek, you already are."
Peace & Joy,
Holly
dear allan,
i completely agree with you, people who put up mask often think that they are not beautiful, they only need someone to make them realize that they are beautiful just the way they are..how can god make someone less than perfect!
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
I think it works both ways, Dr Allen.
I do think it well worth reflecting, as I believe you are suggesting. Our aim should be a balanced, evolving self set free to make all the right connections in what seems to me a magical symbiosis.
Pleased to meet you,
ed
Very insightful post. The part II as well. It is so difficult to get in terms with one's ego. On top of that internet allows us to create more personalities for ourselves. A bit indulgence is fine but sometimes one starts believing what they become there. It is like creating a world in a world, illusion in an illusion. Sad part though is, that we can't do without it. This has become the fastest, commonest method of spreading knowledge, connecting, advertising and also has applications in all areas of work in this world. It really depends on what you want to achieve out of it and how much discipline you can have while doing that. It also depends on what is the level of awareness within a person. An aware person, even when putting a face knows why he is doing it but an unaware person has many faces without knowing why. That is where the difference is. The world itself is a big multifaceted face. To survive here and do what one has to do, each face is needed- with or without awareness. So neither ego, nor fear could be avoided. What can be done about it? Being aware of oneself, as to why are they here, what do they want, whom do they wish to connect etc. and allowing time to personally know few virtual people. My guess is they are not very different than anyone else when you meet them personally. Thanks for posting.
Peace and Love
Garima
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