*Why do "you" think it is an Important part of one's identity to give oneself a lable ? If interested read on

Question

ie: agnostic, atheist, christian, jewish, muslim, hindu, buddhist or a psychologist, a philosopher, a humanist, a scientist, etc, etc.

Please, Read the Original Question once again.

*Is having _______ identity, tied to "self"
a necessary way of viewing who you are, or a more important for others to know who you are ?

*How important is it to you to have an individual concept of "self" ?

*PLEASE, the Best you can, answer each question separately.

- Appreciate answers from everyone.

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Answer 1

Labels are inherently of "self". It is the label which ties us to our illusory perceptions. Goodfella is right, yet the important point of attachment is missed, be Mindful my friend...excuse my small criticism for a good answer...

The point of "self" is illusion, all illusion and it causes illusion. "Self" perpetuates illusion and creates in the Mind a set of illusion based rules which guide thought. There is no "As long as you don't get attached to it" involved. If "self" arises at all then you are attached already simply because it has arisen in your consciousness, you are already trapped in illusion if you think that you cannot get attached to "self".

We must not allow "self" into our awareness, we must discard it, it is true what the other posters have quoted above, self binds us, it binds us to illusion and is the cause of suffering, because it makes us ignorant of others.The very term "self" precludes others, make not the mistake that we can outwit it, we cannot.

See the world through unclouded perceptions, climb out from behind the veil that self and its consequence brings to the Mind.

I Am Not Me..Dependent Co-Arising..labels begin with "self" and end in suffering...

A thorough examination of this concept reveals the truth of "self", it is self delusional and its effects create Wrong View in the Mind, it is therefore vital to have an individual concept of non self as opposed to the alternative concept of any "self".

The purpose of Buddhist Practise is to discard and destroy our delusional "self" to encourage and embrace a selfless outlook on the Mind and therefore in the consciousness, it is impossible to embrace selflessness with any sense of self, we must be selfless in the Mind to allow selflessness in thought which thoughts determine selfless Actions...

Peace from a Buddhist...

Answer 2

I don't think that my labels are necessary, but I think they're a good quick and dirty way of conveying to strangers where I'm coming from and what prejudices I'm likely to have. I can say that I'm a vegetarian/ pacifist/ agnostic/ grad student/ scientist/ liberal/ married woman and you can make a lot of assumptions about me right away, probably more correct than not. It provides a framework to flesh out later if we keep talking to each other.

To me it's very important to have an individual concept of self, because if I didn't, I'd have a hard time deciding whether I was happy with where my life was going and with my actions. If someone suggests I do something, I like to be able to ask myself, "Is that the sort of thing that I would do?" and have an answer. Like if somebody wants to go to the Liquor Dome and invites me along, I check with my "self" and realize that while my friend may find this fun, I would probably be bored and vaguely uncomfortable, so I should pass on that invitation. If I didn't have a sense of "self" how would I know that I'd find the Liquor Dome boring, and that it's just my preference, not the inherent boringness of the Liquor Dome?

Answer 3

Well, in spite of the teaching of Nirvana (etc), we all ARE individuals. We each have a brain. We each think very differently from one another. I do have a self, even though that may become swallowed up in the desire to work for the common good and to be a part of the truth.

As for why it is important for me to have a label... well, that used to be true, but not so much now. I am a mother, but that does not describe who I really am. I am a Mormon, but that also is insufficient. I am a homoeopath, but that also is not "me". I do have a self, but it is so much more than any label. Perhaps "daughter of God with divine potential" would be more accurate, but even then people will not necessarily understand it.

Labels are more a way (for me) of letting others know who I am. Labels are never really very effective in doing such, however. I don't really need a label to feel I am of worth. I mean, it wouldn't upset me if someone came up to me and said, "You're a bad mother!" or "You're not a real Christian!" or "You're a hypocrite." Because it isn't any human label that makes me valuable.

How important is it to me to have an individual concept of self? I'm not sure. I am who I am. I think it is important to be true to myself and honest with God and man ... I'm not sure what you mean. What is an "individual concept of self"?

Answer 4

Some use "labels" to hide behind their true identities. Such as a Psychologist, Philosopher,etc. These are no more than typical people in life trying to find the "whys" to the segment of society's problems they are being faced with. Expierence and a desire, along with good social skills, can drive any person to question and figure out the "whys" in life.

I think people want labels so they can identify with a particular group/sect of people and thus can aquire the ability to survive within that culture of people. For example, if a christian was around a group of orthodox jews and was not aware because of the label, chances are they wouldn't survive/thrive very long in that enviroment.
Atheist's are another good example! Chances are they would be band wagoned by Christians.

Chat rooms are a good example of labels.We look at those labels such as christian, buddha, pagan, even as left field as gay/homosexual. Labeling helps individuals identify with like birds to keep society either at peace or at war. Peace!

Answer 5

I think having an identity (label) is important to 'self' because it's a way for you to define who you are. Many people who define themselves as 'ghetto' will remain ghetto because that's who they think they're meant to be. They won't try to achieve beyond that, because to them...that's who they are.

By the same token, someone who believes themselves to be high-class, would not act in a manner which would be considered low-class...at least not where anyone could witness it.

A person's individual concept of 'self' is important because it can set limits. If you believe you can do something...you will try. If you think you can't...you won't. You'll sit on your butt and complain about how much everyone else is handed without having to put in any effort...or about how much other people owe you.

Answer 6

I label myself all the time. I am a pot head, I work in a grocery store with a labeler and sell myself for .89 in the produce section. lol. im kidding. I like to joke too. I dont know why people stereo type but yeah there are 4 broad ranges of stereo types nerds, hippies, popular, and gangster. Im a ninja so I would be a ganster.

Answer 7

# You need to include the following indentity lables: Am I a :
# (1). Dumb A.S.S (2). Realy Stupid Person (3). UGLY (4)
# Wothless Human being (5). Loser at life (6). I'm: Male__
# Female___ (7). No one loves me____ (8). F___K YOU! I'm # Better than you!
# (9). All the above and then some more!

Answer 8

I don't think so. Because who we are changes with age and experience, the identity probably changes many times in a lifetime. Others will label us according to their own beliefs and prejudice, and that label would be different according to whom you ask, and how well they know you.
I think the individual concept of self is one of the most important things we learn in life, because it binds itself to practically everything else. Our relationships with other people, our career and education paths, how we interact and project ourselves to strangers, what type of parent, child, brother, sister, etc etc- we will be.

Answer 9

The very first 'label' we acquire is our name and surname. The first generally was intended, I presume, to help us distinguish ourselves from others. The surnames came as instruments of state control. Thus being distinct has always served the important purpose of providing one with an identity. Subsequently, again I can only presume, our competitive natures has encouraged us to distinguish ourselves from each other by providing ourselves and others with convenient labels. Whether it be marketing of goods (branding), proclaiming what constitutes beauty, what is acceptable behavior, or welcome identities labels have served the useful purpose of helping us to choose what we care for and what we don't. I also offer myself to other on the basis of my brand equity. I gain acceptance or recognition on the basis of my qualities. I win competitions or favors (material, emotional, or sexual) by proclaimg my 'self' in terms of power, money, profession, social or cultural identiy. of course I 'belong' or gain acceptance on the basis of such identities and labels. I therefore 'need' the labels.

Answer 10

It's not important, it is OK as long as one does not confuse themselves with the label. When I found myself I found all things. It is not important for me to have an individual concept of self. God interacts with God, what else is there?