In his famous and brilliantly written "The Doors of Perception", Aldous Huxley says the following:
I pondered on the first part for a long time, and I can't seem to be able to explain to myself what he means. Over the years I feel like I've gravitated (consciously or not) towards the belief that the way others see me is an unobtainable perspective - something that only they will possess; something external; something "foreign".
On one hand, if we are not being true to ourselves, and are wearing masks all the time while among others, to see ourselves as others see us will create an inner conflict that will confuse the mind and fragment identity. When we play different characters in front of different audiences the result more often than not is a multi-faceted image of our position and role in every separate scenario. From the attempt of the ego to perceive that image (having in mind it usually "believes" that it's a singular compact unit instead of many different egos in one) in order to give shape and texture to our perceived identity, results a damp and sticky coat of unsettling confusion, and a feeling creeps up that we are fake, and have strayed away from the true path of the self.
On the other hand, if we are being true to ourselves, and we play no character that disobeys the inner frequency and behavioral patterns that come naturally, there is no guarantee that others are going to perceive us in the same way, which puts is in the same spot of uncertainty and paradox. So does Aldous mean that we should view other people as mirrors, and observe our own reflection based on their perspective?
I'm getting all tangled up in trying to decipher what he means, and I have the sensation that it's important to pay attention to that specific line of his writings.
Please share your thoughts and how you interpret and understand it.
Thanks!
It seems to me that the second part of what he said is far easier to interpret. To see others as they see themselves in a way means to not slap labels, judge, weigh, measure, decorate, characterize or re-define others at all. It means to give them the same thing we ourselves wish everyone gave - the right to be whoever and whatever you are, without having to conform to different doctrines and align oneself with the expectations and standards of society. We're all different, but in a way, we're all the same. So to see others as they see themselves means to just accept them as who they are. Whether we're perceiving their true self or not won't be evident at first, but does it really matter? What matters is consciously putting ourselves in the position of just accepting people for who they are, without judging them or trying to change them in a way that is more closely aligned with our understanding, principles, and desires.To see ourselves as others see us is a most salutary gift. Hardly less important is the capacity to see others as they see themselves.
I pondered on the first part for a long time, and I can't seem to be able to explain to myself what he means. Over the years I feel like I've gravitated (consciously or not) towards the belief that the way others see me is an unobtainable perspective - something that only they will possess; something external; something "foreign".
On one hand, if we are not being true to ourselves, and are wearing masks all the time while among others, to see ourselves as others see us will create an inner conflict that will confuse the mind and fragment identity. When we play different characters in front of different audiences the result more often than not is a multi-faceted image of our position and role in every separate scenario. From the attempt of the ego to perceive that image (having in mind it usually "believes" that it's a singular compact unit instead of many different egos in one) in order to give shape and texture to our perceived identity, results a damp and sticky coat of unsettling confusion, and a feeling creeps up that we are fake, and have strayed away from the true path of the self.
On the other hand, if we are being true to ourselves, and we play no character that disobeys the inner frequency and behavioral patterns that come naturally, there is no guarantee that others are going to perceive us in the same way, which puts is in the same spot of uncertainty and paradox. So does Aldous mean that we should view other people as mirrors, and observe our own reflection based on their perspective?
I'm getting all tangled up in trying to decipher what he means, and I have the sensation that it's important to pay attention to that specific line of his writings.
Please share your thoughts and how you interpret and understand it.
Thanks!