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."
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.
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."
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.
That book seems to be very interesting to check out, cheers!
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.