The ancient philosophical maxim that holds the underlying goal of all psychology.
We’ve all heard the very famous ancient Greek maxim – ‘know thyself’ – but what does it really mean? Who are we really, as individuals? What are we as beings roaming the Earth?
Oh how I LOVE ancient Greek philosophy. When I was 13 all I wanted to be was a professor in philosophy teaching at a university – carrying ancient wisdom along through the passage of time.
Fortunately, I had discovered that modern psychology actually has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy. Questions such as ‘What is the best way to live’ ‘What is the mind?’ ‘What are ethics and how do they improve the soul?’’ ‘What is the soul? – were studied and theories recorded for the first time. This begins the basis for what is one day to become the study of psychology.
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When you become a teenager all hell breaks loose because your identity begins to develop. You begin to psychologically separate from your parents’ way of life and beliefs. Well, that’s what is meant to happen – but a lot can get in the way. Your parents, despite loving you, can disrupt this natural development because they want to hold onto you; A traumatic experience or a series of unfortunate events can disrupt the development of your identity; Lack of personal or financial freedom; and abuse can disrupt the development of your identity.
Why is having a well developed identity even important?
This is more than just a psychological event, it’s a spiritual one. One of the characteristics of the universe is individuality – no snowflake is the same, even fish have their own distinct personalities I have recently discovered.
Having a well developed identity results in:
- Self-confidence
- A sense of trust in yourself and your decisions
- Clarity regarding your desires and goals
- The ability to handle life’s hurdles with bravery
- The personal freedom to express yourself and speak your mind
- A sense of ambition
We are all unique in our beliefs, desires, likes and dislikes. This is what creates the world of art, music, poetry – the things that hold us to the Earth despite the pains that accompany our journey.
It is a fundamental right for each of us to be who we are. Yet this is a right often overlooked because too often, people confuse control for care.
I believe most mental anguish is rooted in a disconnection from your true self and your desires. Gabor Mate if famous for identifying this disconnection as the cause of addiction.
For when you know what you want, you feel a sense of purpose and meaning – which motivates you to take care of yourself, to not only persevere life’s difficulties but to be jovial through it all.
I have therefore come to the conclusion that ‘Know thyself’ holds the key to the mental, emotional and spiritual clarity we all work towards achieving everyday.
How do you come to, ‘know yourself’ then?
You explore – ideas, people, places, books, cultures – you learn. The pursuit of knowledge is often simply the pursuit of connection.
Practical examples:
- Talk. Allow yourself to talk freely in a safe environment. You can talk to a loved one, a best friend, your family – or otherwise a counsellor or psychologist.
- Have a dream journal – your dreams are your way of accessing your subconscious and your true desires.
- Explore your taste in music, literature, movies, and food.
- Explore your spiritual side – do you believe what you believe simply because it was passed down from your parents? Or have you cultivated a personal connection to your soul and, I’ll use the broad term – ‘God’?
- Develop your current skills and talents and discover new skills and talents.
- Be creative, paint a mug, draw a picture, write a poem, dance – express yourself.
You deserve to be you, it is your life and your time on Earth – just live.
The more deeply you understand yourself, the more you become a lover of what is.
https://emotionalintelligencedeveloper.com
‘Nosce te ipsum’ – Latin for ‘Know Thyself’.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Know_thyself
