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Nets are for catching fish; after one gets the fish, one forgets the net. Traps are for catching rabbits; after one gets the rabbit,
one forgets the trap. Words are for getting meaning; after one gets the meaning, one forgets the words. Where can I find people who have forgotten
words, and have a word with them?
— Zhuangzi
It imagines that in order to face reality, to deal with it and ourselves properly, we should return the objectified subjects to their proper names; strip them of their masks and costumes to see who they really are beneath all the decoration; to go back to the reality of the matter through the web of language and misunderstanding that stands before it; to break from the cocoon the butterfly or the moth or whatever lies beneath it no matter what appears; for when we remain underneath these webs we allow ourselves to die a thousand deaths, where perhaps we should die only once.
I liken our disguises to a trophy room, where our various efforts and stumbles are made clear for those with the eyes to read.
So, if I might ask: what is/are/have been your mask(s) and costume(s)?
Or are you immune to that all-too-human tendency? I know I have worn many. As I get older, I tuck them away.
I find that our masks and costumes tell a story no less true than the birthday suit lurking underneath. They speak of dreams and fears, doubts and hopes, scars and triumphs. I liken our disguises to a trophy room, where our various efforts and stumbles are made clear for those with the eyes to read.
Aphorism
reply to post by BuzzyWigs
So, if I might ask: what is/are/have been your mask(s) and costume(s)?
Or are you immune to that all-too-human tendency? I know I have worn many. As I get older, I tuck them away.
I have a costume around me at all times. It shifts and changes according to who I think I am at any given moment. At this point in my life I'm at my given name, and refer to myself by my given name, rather than any particular label.
Ha. Ironic. Your name is "definition" and yet you argue against the necessity of labels.
Aphorism
reply to post by AfterInfinity
Ha. Ironic. Your name is "definition" and yet you argue against the necessity of labels.
Well I'm speaking about the name that was given to me when I was born. I'm not sure where you get "definition" from.
I guess the point of grouping together those of a belief system is a natural way of distinguishing groups, things have names for good purpose, and if it weren't for the nouns identifying objects, people, places etc humanity wouldn't have evolved anywhere near as much as it has. Specific details such as names for things are essential to language and function.
You're not?
en.wikipedia.org...
AfterInfinity
Ha. Ironic. Your name is "definition" and yet you argue against the necessity of labels.
AfterInfinity
You're not?
en.wikipedia.org...
The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.
The unnamable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin
of all particular things.
Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.