I Have Seemed To Have Lost Myself

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Concept of self: East and West Paper 2 Have you ever forgotten something? We all have and been drove to irritation because of it. Whether it is that one last item on your grocery list you did not write down but are certain you need. Or if it is mid-sentence and you suddenly no longer remember what you your next words were going to be. This kind of forgetfulness, or empty mindedness, is common and happens from time to time. Now imagine if a friend rushed up to you and exclaimed “I have forgotten! Everything my friend, I have forgotten it all. Isn’t that wonderful? I’ve forgotten “myself’!” This kind of announcement would confuse and concern most of us, they have forgotten themselves? What do they mean they have “forgotten” themselves? The concept of forgetting oneself and what it means is discussed in Chuang Tzu. “Forgetting” one self, is required for change and allows for ultimate oneness with the de. Too begin analyzing the concept of “forgetting oneself” one must reach a definition of what it is to “forget oneself”. In Chuang Tzu, we are provided with a story that helps explain what forgetfulness looks like. In this story a friend approaches Confucius and exclaims he has forgotten benevolence and righteousness. Confucius not taking his friend to seriously Congratulates him on his accomplishments but says there is still more he can improve on. The next day the same friend returns and exclaims once more that he has now forgotten music and rites, important parts and practices of the Way. Confucius a bit more impressed, still responded there was more to improve. Finally this friend comes back and proclaims “I am improving!” Confucius, expecting another list of what his friend had forgotten asks what he means by his statement. His friend says he can now sit and forget everything. Confucius pries again, asking what his friend means by “being able to sit and forget
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