A few days ago I read this quote: "The enlightened man is the greatest stranger in the world; he does not seem to belong to anybody. No organization confines him, no community, no society, no nation." ~ Osho


It felt like a response to an inquiry that has been meandering around my mind for at least a few days. Why do we define ourselves by our actions? We say “I am a doctor” instead of “I practice medicine right now.” Why do we identify so completely with our feelings? We claim “I am angry” rather than “I feel anger in this moment” or “I have anger presently.” Why have we made an identity even out of the food we eat? We declare “I am vegan” instead of “I choose to not eat meat today.” And can ANYONE tell me exactly WHAT is the importance of BEING a “patriot?”
The quote above was followed by this “afterthought”:

“We are now challenged to be courageous enough to . . . break the chains of society's repressive conditioning and opinions. We embrace all the colors of the rainbow, emerging from the dark and formless roots of our unconscious past to grow wings . . .
Our very way of being is rebellious - not because we are fighting against anybody or anything, but because we have discovered our own true nature and are determined to live in accordance with it . . .
[even at the risk of losing our identification with those very communities which gave us solace and meaning and a place to BELONG.]”

We have too long been subject to our own misdirected “loyalties.” Too long have we been held hostage by generalized definitions of who we are. In our attempts to belong we have followed false prophets, parroted false doctrine, partaken of too much “kool-aid,” and confined ourselves to a path that suddenly feels much too narrow.

DO you have the courage to live your life as one big contradiction? If so, you are in good company. Gandhi said it best when he remarked (and I paraphrase!!) “I am not concerned with appearing consistent; I am only concerned with Truth.”

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[daisy JOHNSON]

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