A Deep Dive into the Interplay of Inner and Outer Worlds
JUL 16, 2023
In contemplating the nature of our existence, we often distinguish between two realms: the external, encompassing everything outside of our body, and the internal, encompassing everything within our mind. However, this dichotomy may not be as clear-cut as we imagine.
Consider physical health as an example. Is that internal or external? Such pondering blurs the lines between these two spheres. When we realize that we view our body as an image, the question of whether our experiences are internal or external grows even more complex.
The intriguing paradox lies in contemplating whether the internal and external are truly different, or alternatively could they be polar opposites to what we consider them to be
In this exploration, a thought-provoking question arises: if our thoughts and feelings, transient visitors in our mind, are deemed external, what then remains as truly internal?
Perhaps, it’s the life essence, the ever-present field of all existence. The answer remains elusive, leading to further questions.
Such questions have profound importance, particularly when we consider our complaints about life. The majority of our grievances are about the external world. We question why events occur, or why we experience certain emotions, attributing them to the external realm.
Could these complaints be external mental ripples over life’s facts, which are rooted internally?
Take the eruption of a volcano, for example. The event itself is factual. Our complaints about it, however, are reactions, emerging from our “internal realm”. The volcano transforms in the mind into a source of complaint, reflecting our internal attitudes towards it.
As we navigate through life, these existential questions become unavoidable. Ultimately, we might find ourselves asking:
- Am I a product of the internal or the external realm?
- Is my lived experience a fact or a figment of my imagination?
The answers to these questions evade linguistic expression. They require direct confrontation, a clarity transcending the confines of our conventional thought processes.