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I Am My Body, NOT!
by Adam Abraham
Cogito-T
$19.95
Rethinking 'I Think, Therefore, I Am'
By Adam Abraham
While this Fresh Thought moment is not about proof of our existence, it is fitting to acknowledge Descartes as we connect another “dot” of understanding to that which flows naturally from the original cogito ergo sum. It is a Fresh insight that reads:
I think I am, therefore I am
Cogito sum, ergo sum
Think about it. Isn’t this really what we’re doing in life: thinking that we are something, being it, acting on it, reacting to it, and our experiences with others reflecting what we think we are, whatever “it” happens to be? This statement applies to any and every state or quality of human experience, stated or unstated, positive or negative. Uttered in our mind, and sometimes verbalized, we “fill in the blanks.” Here are a few examples:
- I think I am weak, therefore I am
- _ _____ _ __ ill, _________...
- _ _____ _ __ weak, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ unable, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ able, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ strong, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ above, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ separate, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ one, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ hated, _________…
- _ _____ _ __ loved, _________…
Descartes' Fresh Twist axiom applies to our thoughts about the role that others play in our lives; measured as they are against the litmus test of our own judgment, which is always present, but seldom verbalized.
- “I think he is ____, therefore, he is” (to me).
- “I think _______ are _____; therefore, they are" (to me).
Other truths can and most likely will apply to any thought in question. However, they will apply to the owners of the thought, whatever it may be. Experience, as we know it, then bears witness to the “truth” of our inner thoughts, beliefs, and judgements. Should we change our thinking, which stem from underlying beliefs, then our experiences will change. By all indications, the power to do so rests inside every human being on earth, those who, for example, think they are equal to others, and those who think they (or others) are not.
Imagine the wonderful possibilities that might happen as more people come to deeply appreciate the natural, implicit, and powerful connection between our thoughts and experiences. With further practice, we will develop and empower compound axioms.
- I think that I am safe, therefore I am.
- I think that I can transcend, therefore I can.
- I think that hatred can’t harm me, therefore it can’t.
- I think that love protects me, therefore it does.
Experiencing frail health most of his life, René Descartes had a practice of staying in bed until 11 am each day. The purpose of this practice was not to feel bad, or get extra sleep, but to reflect, contemplate, think. His body of writings represents the tangible evidence of his insights and realizations. The body of human history, that was able to advance on the strength of Descartes’ insights, stands as proof of the power of his Fresh Thinking. Let us add to that body, by embracing and creating Fresh thoughts and perspectives each day.
Copyright © 2003 Adam Abraham All rights reserved
Adam Abraham is author of I Am My Body, NOT! (ISBN 0-9700209-1-0 $19.95 from Phaelos Books) and A Freed Man: An Emancipation Proclamation (ISBN 0-9700209-0-2 $17.95), and producer of a new direct-to-DVD series entitled: Authentic Jamaica (ISBN 0-9700209-6-1 $19.95) (www.authenticjamaica.com). Mr. Abraham can be reached at adam@phaelos.com, or his publisher Phaelos Books & Mediawerks (www.phaelos.com).