How can the world function on a collective level when humans act only out a part of themselves?
“The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living” –Socrates
"The Three Natures" Ink and wash drawing. Karen G. James © 2012
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The Dangers of Partial Awareness and How to Move Toward Wholeness
The recognition of three human natures can be traced back 2500 years to Socrates who said that we have three fundamental faculties: intellectual, emotional and instinctual. Rarely do these interact in a balanced way in the present moment. In fact, it is usual that one of these dominates over the other two. Subsequently, out of habit, we tend to view our life experience through this single filter.
It is necessary to harmonize the intellectual, the emotional, and the sensory faculties in order to emerge from sleep and in order to have even a moment of true consciousness. There is a presence, a larger presence, that permeates every moment. It takes dedicated practice to establish such an awareness.
When we act out of only one human faculty we are not in balance, and we are only partially aware.
Insights and points for reflection:
Are you intellectually centered?
Are you emotionally centered?
Are you physically, or instinctively, centered?
What are your strengths?
What are your limitations?
I just listened to your recording on the three natures. . It is erudite & clear. A good introduction grounded in philosophical history. Your video presence is authentic, pleasant, intelligent & caring.
I love Karen’s painting.
Thank you, Nancye, I appreciate your response very much.
I was scratching my head trying to think of an image of my own that I could use along the line of “The Three Graces”. Suddenly, I recalled that art work which I found stacked with several others against a wall. You may recall that In the last couple of years prior to her transition, Karen painted herself in angelic form. This Is one of several. Her stunning artwork on the Transformation page is a mixed-media collage, by the way.
No doubt this ‘partialness’ is true for me. Per usual, I want to know what to do, or not do, to amend this failing. Moreover, where does ‘acceptance’ align here?