The self is identified with what is seen and is the most obvious way of identifying the other as well and yet somehow if it becomes the measure of everything: one lives at a platform of the superficial as all is seen via this simpleton that one is the body full stop. Yet somehow very few would say that one is that physical self which is directly visible.
The fact of the matter is that one is more than just the perceived aspect. Yet, it is that which occupies oneself, almost an obsession with that special bodily form. No one really says that one is the body yet one spends so much into embellish it and from which glamorisation of the latter occurs.
From the moment one is up there is a case to be to take care for that exterior being and grooming or let’s say decorating that seen aspect of one’s being. A look in the mirror and yes, ‘I look good. Wow! What a star… I need to always look great to be sure for oneself but also for others. In the morning, it is a case of getting ready and in the evening likewise, we are again overwhelmed by that which appears.
In some ways the bodily form the visual link: that physical structure makes one feels superb, good, or otherwise. In persistence that the physical aspect takes over, through enhancing of that form about us makes one ignore that other inner part of the self where little attention is paid to almost being negligent. To decorate only what is perceived, is to keep identifying with that superficial aspect of one’s being seeking and searching for what may never be in the mode of being firmly so or let’s say solidly so.
It is a probe into the temporal that which is merely transient and keep on going through the stages of simply being in flux whilst being a victim of time. Persistence in its preservation and or keeping that in pristine form always leads to a kind of undue effort as all is on the move. It is that movement which often takes one away from the merely temporal towards the transcendental…. Where one seeks to explore and or probe into the self that one is where sure the question opens up into the what/who am ‘I’ query.
The concern is mainly to look good than feel good and so much is spent in what is impermanent. From simple products to cosmetic surgery, the subject is always finding ways in trying ways at keeping the exterior as best as could be. There is so much almost obsession from keeping and being healthy or trying to keep fit; from walking to gym and or trying alternatives of hatha yoga and or joining clubs and seeking a way to be better and better form the exterior aspect or that bodily aspect. The comrade within is ignored, betrayed and so not even acknowledged with a tendency to be all about that transient bodily aspect.
As a society, one organises health clubs, similar facilities including clinics, hospitals to ensure that one is always fit and healthy. And or in an attempt to keep well. There is an infatuation as already hinted with keeping that gross aspect in tune as after all, that is the vehicle which carries the inner being as well. A gaze at the advert shows that all is promoted via often that of exploited that special form of models as one gets caught up in in simply objectifying even that which is more.
As one remains on such a platform, sure there is no reflection. One simply is a victim of the physical, the mundane which cares merely for that carcass that one is. On its own, the exterior or the bodily- self is almost a hindrance unless one tries and place it in context in that there is another aspect to one’s being.
Without a refined inner, physical attraction may not suffice unless there is a synergy where the inner is an equal partner and more importantly it is that which makes one as powerful, valiant and provides direction, a directive which a mere body however polished requires that force or energy to make it tick and move along. Just imagine a mere body without consciousness and one instantly gets what is herewith being communicated!
What one needs to do is to create a balance between that exterior and the interior or that inner being which is there, always there observing and watching and most of the time ignored. In some instances, it is commonly also believed that all that there is to life is that by which we are seen as being most obvious.
As we persevere along this route, one ignores the inner which in a way remains the essential self or that which makes one moves about and carry on without that unseen part which reflect and makes us takes decisions is that non corporal being which is that core. Vaishnava tradition refers to it as the soul as that whereas all that is seen in living entities are merely the outer covering. Or that one may have a body of an elephant or a slug, a demigod or a human being or let’s say and ant at the next all part of the karmic process.
There is a case to kind of be concerned and research at least if not work out ways as to how to move away from purely bodily being which may have ample forms on this view where all is moving and in flux based on merely the material. That bodily structure that are perceived are simply aspect that keeps going through changes like starting as a new born whatever bodily from towards moving on to a toddler, then infant, youth, middle aged and elderly before succumbing to the effect of time when it withers away.
Yet much is made of it in an effort t nourishing it and keeping it the same as if it is non impermanent whereas all of us are aware of the constant changes which effect any living entity but as always a question of seeking to be that which may never be or trying to seek solidity in a perpetually fluid world. That is what is at stake as we venture with our own obsession at keeping that bodily aspect as being the be and end of everything.
It seems little is done about exploring that other part and or finding the quintessence of one’s being as is proclaimed in traditions such as above mentioned. All are based on a crude way of being and the essential part is ignored. Atheists agree with not bringing any form of dualism. All is clear in their strategy of life: A question of seeing that physical aspect as being everything and anything subtle or what may be not observed is viewed with suspicion and not real.
What the naked eye may see and or observed by the other senses are meaningful and the rest simply classed as pure figment. On this view, the transcendent becomes a myth whereas life is all about the seen. There is one life and so the realm of the non-physical is a non-starter and so would side with the obvious and the corporeal.
However, from the perspective of others who tries going further than the merely material, one is more than a mere bodily encounter. Or, it makes sense to explore above and beyond the material or just that bodily slant. Just what is that inner aspect of one’s being? Or the soul? Sure, is it an aspect that needs be simply brushed aside in that we turn merely to that bodily form as emerges in living entities about oneself? Or carry on ignoring it? But the point is that we are too engrossed in that simple glorification of the exterior to the negligence of the inner: herein is the problem….We do not know or is it that one is simply contended with the merely physical?