We often categorize our actions into two types: those we control voluntarily and those that happen involuntarily. For example, when you move your hand, you feel like you consciously decide to do so. But have you ever thought about how you make that decision? Do you decide to decide? Not really. You simply make the decision without understanding the process behind it. This raises the question: are these actions truly voluntary or involuntary?
Consider breathing. You can control your breath when you focus on it, yet it continues automatically when you don’t. This blurs the line between voluntary and involuntary actions. Such distinctions lead us to question our understanding of self. Many bodily functions, like breathing, heartbeats, and digestion, occur without our conscious awareness.
When you reflect on your existence, you might realize that you are part of a larger whole. The involuntary processes in your body are interconnected with the universe. If you acknowledge your role in circulating blood, you might also see yourself as part of the cosmos. Your body is a continuous part of the universe’s energy system. Although you may perceive yourself as a small part, in reality, there are no separate events.
Isn’t it amazing that you are an incredibly complex being, performing numerous functions without formal training? Scientifically, your organism is a continuous energy with everything else. If you are your foot, you are also the sun. However, we often limit our view, seeing ourselves merely as a part of our body, as the ego. The ego is the focus of conscious attention, like a radar on a ship scanning for potential issues. Identifying solely with the ego can lead to constant anxiety.
When you stop identifying with the ego and recognize yourself as the entire organism, you begin to see the harmony in your existence. Your body functions as a miracle of harmony, even amidst cellular conflicts. What seems like discord at one level can be harmony at a higher level. You start to understand that life’s challenges, which may appear as conflicts, are part of a larger, harmonious universe.
Ultimately, everything you are and do is magnificent and flawless, much like the patterns in waves or a cat’s movements. This world is fundamentally okay and cannot be otherwise, as it wouldn’t exist if it were. When you awaken from this illusion, you perceive yourself not as a stranger in the world or an accidental presence, but as an essential part of existence. Deep down, you are the fabric and structure of existence itself. In this sense, everyone is fundamentally connected to the ultimate reality—not in a political or kingly sense, but as the essence of being. You are all that, even if you sometimes pretend otherwise.
Take some time to write a reflective journal entry about your own experiences with voluntary and involuntary actions. Consider moments when you consciously controlled an action versus when your body acted on its own. How do these experiences shape your understanding of self? Share your insights with your peers in a group discussion.
Engage in a guided breathing exercise. Focus on the transition between voluntary and involuntary breathing. Notice how your body takes over when you stop consciously controlling your breath. Reflect on how this exercise illustrates the blurred lines between voluntary and involuntary actions.
Participate in a group discussion about the concept of being part of a larger universe. Discuss how involuntary bodily processes connect you to the cosmos. Share your thoughts on how this perspective influences your view of existence and your role in the universe.
Practice a meditation session focused on shifting your identification from the ego to the entire organism. Reflect on how this shift in perspective can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of harmony. Discuss your experience with classmates and explore how this practice can be applied in daily life.
Create a piece of art, music, or writing that expresses the magnificence of existence and your connection to the ultimate reality. Use this creative process to explore and communicate your understanding of being an essential part of the universe. Share your creation with the class and discuss the different interpretations and insights.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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The issue we encounter is this: we often differentiate between our actions and what happens to us. We have a set of actions that we consider voluntary, where we feel in control, contrasted with those that are involuntary. However, the line between these two categories is quite arbitrary. For instance, when you move your hand, you feel that you decide whether to open or close it. But then, consider how you make that decision. Do you consciously decide to decide? You don’t; you simply decide. If you don’t understand how you make that decision, is it voluntary or involuntary?
Let’s take breathing as an example. You can consciously control your breath, but when you don’t think about it, it continues automatically. Is it voluntary or involuntary? This leads us to a rather arbitrary definition of self. Much of what we do, such as breathing, heartbeats, gland activity, and digestion, often falls outside our conscious awareness.
When you connect with yourself, you may realize that you are part of a larger whole. In other words, the involuntary processes in your body are interconnected with the universe. If you understand that you are responsible for circulating your blood, you may also recognize that you are part of the larger cosmos. Your body is a continuous part of the total energy system of the universe, and while you may perceive yourself as just a small part of it, in reality, there are no separate events.
Isn’t it astonishing that you are this incredibly complex being, performing all these functions without formal training? From a scientific perspective, your organism is a continuous energy with everything else. If I am my foot, I am also the sun. However, we often have a limited view, thinking of ourselves merely as a part of our body, as the ego. The ego is simply the focus of conscious attention, similar to a radar on a ship that scans for potential issues. If you identify solely with this ego, you may find yourself in a constant state of anxiety.
When you stop identifying with the ego and recognize that you are the entire organism, you begin to see the harmony in your existence. Your body functions as a miracle of harmony, even when there are conflicts at a cellular level. What may seem like discord at one level can be harmony at a higher level. You start to understand that the challenges in your life, which may appear as conflicts, are part of a larger, harmonious universe.
Ultimately, everything you are and do is magnificent and free of blemish, much like the patterns in waves or the movements of a cat. This world is fundamentally okay and cannot be anything else, as otherwise, it wouldn’t exist.
When you awaken from this illusion, you can perceive yourself not as a stranger in the world or as an accidental presence, but as an essential part of existence. Deep down, you are fundamentally the fabric and structure of existence itself. In this sense, everyone is fundamentally connected to the ultimate reality—not in a political or kingly sense, but as the essence of being. You are all that, even if you sometimes pretend otherwise.
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This version maintains the core ideas while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Voluntary – Performed or done willingly, without external compulsion or obligation. – In existential philosophy, a voluntary action is often seen as an expression of one’s authentic self.
Involuntary – Not subject to the control of the will; automatic or reflexive. – In psychology, involuntary reactions can reveal underlying subconscious processes.
Actions – Movements or deeds that are a result of conscious or unconscious decisions. – According to Aristotle, ethical actions are those that align with virtue and reason.
Self – The individual’s perception of their own identity and existence. – In philosophy, the concept of the self is central to understanding personal identity and consciousness.
Ego – The part of the mind that mediates between the conscious self and the external world, often associated with self-esteem and self-importance. – Freud’s theory of the ego suggests it plays a crucial role in balancing our primal desires with societal expectations.
Organism – A living being, considered as a whole, that can act or function independently. – In systems theory, an organism is often used as a metaphor for understanding complex systems in philosophy.
Harmony – A state of balance and agreement, often seen as an ideal in both personal and societal contexts. – Philosophers like Confucius emphasized the importance of harmony in achieving a well-ordered society.
Existence – The state or fact of being, especially in relation to the nature of being and reality. – Existentialists focus on the individual’s experience and the inherent meaning of existence.
Complexity – The state of having many parts and being difficult to understand or find an answer to. – In philosophy, the complexity of human consciousness poses significant challenges to understanding the mind-body problem.
Universe – The totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos. – Philosophers often debate the nature of the universe and our place within it, questioning whether it is finite or infinite.
