Unselfing is a great word. And the ultimate outcome of unselfing is not losing the self, but seeing the self with wiser eyes. I find it humorous that I can behold wonder similar to the kestrel moment then be sucked back into obsession of self, over and over again. I say humorous when wonder saturates my inner vision. Things are not so funny when I'm whipped up in a tornado of narrow perspective of self. There is a saying I've heard many times, though I don't know the source, which says, "God is playing hide and seek with itself."
I completely agree. There is a nuance to unselfing - where the self is acknowledged with a level of detached curiosity. I've lost count of the amount of times I've found myself obsessing over something either at work or home just after feeling a sense of clear headedness. I guess that is part of the game of life and that quote you cited really encapsulates the entire premise of unselfing. It isn't an absolute destination. It is a perpetual dance with nature.
Somewhat synchronous reading this - I’ve been mulling over ‘freedom’ (specifically from a feminist perspective) for part of a paper I’m giving at a conference and this morning I was reading something to feed the soul - these two streams I saw as separate avenues of thought... until I read your words. Thank you - I have even more to contemplate now.
Thanks so much for reading Lynn. I would imagine that there would be several cross-cutting ideas between feminism and the concept of freedom. Your comment has inspired me to think more deeply about the historical, social and political consequences of freedom as a concept and as an agency for disruption and change.
Wonderful, thoughtful read. I love the little I know about Murdoch. A former teacher and mentor often spoke of her greatness. But I haven’t read her novels yet. Thanks for providing these trenchant insights into her philosophy.
Unselfing is a great word. And the ultimate outcome of unselfing is not losing the self, but seeing the self with wiser eyes. I find it humorous that I can behold wonder similar to the kestrel moment then be sucked back into obsession of self, over and over again. I say humorous when wonder saturates my inner vision. Things are not so funny when I'm whipped up in a tornado of narrow perspective of self. There is a saying I've heard many times, though I don't know the source, which says, "God is playing hide and seek with itself."
I completely agree. There is a nuance to unselfing - where the self is acknowledged with a level of detached curiosity. I've lost count of the amount of times I've found myself obsessing over something either at work or home just after feeling a sense of clear headedness. I guess that is part of the game of life and that quote you cited really encapsulates the entire premise of unselfing. It isn't an absolute destination. It is a perpetual dance with nature.
Somewhat synchronous reading this - I’ve been mulling over ‘freedom’ (specifically from a feminist perspective) for part of a paper I’m giving at a conference and this morning I was reading something to feed the soul - these two streams I saw as separate avenues of thought... until I read your words. Thank you - I have even more to contemplate now.
Thanks so much for reading Lynn. I would imagine that there would be several cross-cutting ideas between feminism and the concept of freedom. Your comment has inspired me to think more deeply about the historical, social and political consequences of freedom as a concept and as an agency for disruption and change.
All the best for your conference paper!
That book seems to be very interesting to check out, cheers!
Thanks! I’d highly recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in moral philosophy.
Wonderful, thoughtful read. I love the little I know about Murdoch. A former teacher and mentor often spoke of her greatness. But I haven’t read her novels yet. Thanks for providing these trenchant insights into her philosophy.