"Know thyself" is an ancient adage universally adopted and just as significant today as it was thousands of years ago.
Self knowledge is often said to be the cornerstone of philosophy and has the power to transcend all perceived differences like cultures, genders, and ages. I often think that while we have evolved technologically to unbelievable heights, I wonder if we are any further on with understanding our purpose, self knowledge and spiritual place any more than we did centuries ago? I love philosophy and neuroscience and I crave conversations about these things, but I have few that I can communicate with who share my passion, which leaves me tossing around ideas in my head and thinking aloud to an invisible audience through a Midweek column!
I know that some people and family alike think that I'm a little odd, and that no longer bothers me although I do filter conversations for the sake of the comfort of others. Lucky for me I can work outside the 'norms' to an extent and working in mental health in a non clinical environment has helped as it has given me the freedom of some free expression which leads to better understanding of oneself which ultimately affects others.
I have found through my experience of working in mental health that a common pattern of what's missing in people's lives is this deeper sense of connection and meaningfulness that people crave. Some people fill this gap with substance abuse or the need to bully through power and control, not because they want to but because they know no other way!
What lies deep within us is intangible and can only be accessed through oneself and in relationship with others. We live in a world where we are bombarded with information which reinforces that the key to fulfilment is outside of us. While this might suit corporations to keep commercialism alive, we also need to be able to 'dance with the devil' and accept our own responsibility in knowing that we are not powerless and that we have freedom of choice. The fight with ourselves and which thought will win is a whole other column. While this internal battle isn't easy it certainly is do-able.
Many years of struggling with my own mental health led me to discover that external satisfaction is all fruitless and that fulfilment needs to be found internally through the ongoing search for 'knowing thyself'. My taonga is intangible, yet I have tangible 'things' that remind me of my taonga. I've found that our relationships are a key to self knowledge as they are an instant mirror of the good, the bad and the ugly that resides within. I have come to learn that it is how I respond to life's challenges that ultimately matters and I am lucky to be able to work in an industry of having amazing conversations with people who are also seeking something deeper. Individually and collectively we seek what we know we fundamentally need and no amount of otherness will fulfil us but rather reflect to us the need to start from within.
