Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Actions or Thoughts?

Which is the more "true" us: the us that is manifested in our actions or the us that is manifested in our thoughts/feelings?

I think it's important not to discount either one, but some part of myself is inclined to say the thought/feeling part of myself because it feels more complete or "full." I may think about an action before or after I accomplish it (or both), but I also have lots of other thoughts, thoughts that are never actualized and yet are very true to myself.

Of course, I'm not discrediting the objection that I may have thoughts that are completely unlike the usual me, perhaps even scary or sick thoughts that I don't want to admit to having. But I do have them, on infrequent occasions, as does everyone (I'm assuming...right?). Also, just because I place a negative value judgment upon them doesn't mean they're not "me" in some aspect, however hidden. Jung would call this my shadow.

I would argue that the totality of my thoughts and emotions constitutes a more whole self than merely the self I present through actions to the world outside of my mind and perceptions.

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