Identity In Art- Class 2/4/08

What is the true nature of self?
I believe this to be a question that each person has to ask themselves and only they them-Selves shold be the one answering. Self is defined as the identity, character of any person or thing, one's own person as distinct from all others. So the true nature of ourself? is a better question perhaps. Discovering my self or nature has been a life long search with glimpses and retreats into the"country of my mind" where I believe my self dwells. My self seems to flicker and draw people and experiences to it. It seems to learn about itself by experimenting in the physical world. This experience can often be abrupt and painful for my physical body and my spiritual heart.Sometimes my self is not a flicker but a vast void never to be measured or filled. Such emptiness is comforting because I know from this all of everthing arises.
What does it mean to be human?
Human means we live in physical reality and need resources in order to survive. We may not be the only beings that are defined as such but one thing we think makes us unique is our ability to think. Most of us can't talk animal languages or communicate telepathically so we really don't know if other creatures are thinkers as well. Although i suspect they do. Humans exist in a very specific ecological system that we, as humans take for granted often, way too often.Humans compared to some trees have short life spans, but compared to some butterflies who exist for only hours we live eternities. Also I think that being human is about learning about and engaging other humans and other species for the pure reason that we are built to experience and engage the physical, mental, and spiritual realms.
Who am I as a unique individual?
This seems to vary frequently. I tend to be very sensory and empathetic in my experiencing the world. This leads to rapidly fluctuating emtional entity who isn't always sure whether her emotions are her own or someone close or far or if the trees sometimes seem to whisper secrets of the earth and sky. Not quite skizophrenic but there seems to be a few of us in here sometimes. That said I do feel like there is a preserverence to my unique methods that gives me a certain stability and ability as an affective and effective individual. My parents are amzing people and great parents, I have been exposed to diverse places and people all around the world. I ahve met some incredable and essential people in my life thus far and I consider myself pretty blessed to be who I am at this space in time. I think all of us as individuals have the abilities and opportunities to create a beautiful diverse world.