From You
When all is said and done, this is what I think the core self is — the only part that is indestructible: “Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible be found in us.” – Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart
But there are other parts of the self that are not the core, and on most days, in most lives, those are the parts that matter more. They are the parts we create and expand by pursuing what gives us pleasure, inspiration, joy, and fulfillment. And they are the parts that know sadness, anger, and fear. Your most electric joy and most protected fear come from these places, these parts of your self.
Most of that can be diminished and even destroyed, however, so it is worth knowing, worth seeing clearly from every angle, even worth cherishing what fills that space, giving it color, texture, shape, shadow and sparkle. There is no way to know what will later appear in its place, what the new parts will look like, feel like, sound like, what they will seek, know, protect, offer, need.
Most of the self is malleable; like any living thing, it reacts to the conditions that surround it, and helps create the conditions that surround it. It expands and contracts, sometimes quickly, sometimes so gradually it is imperceptible. Its movement is not entirely predictable, but not entirely mysterious either, if you pay attention.
But the core self does not change, cannot be changed, and cannot be destroyed. And you may only see it and know it after everything else has been annihilated.
I think it is good that on most days, in most lives, everything else matters more.
(by Perrin)
