Black People : What Does It Mean to Know Thyself?

[river]

We have been told this is the commandment of our ancestors to Know tthyself. But what does that mean? Is there anything in western society that would clue us in to a definition? Does the language we grew up with make it unnecessary for further explanation or does it leave us confused? The term "thyself" is from Elizabethan English such as we find in the King James version of the Christian bible so how can such an expression convey to us what our ancestors have to say to us?

In America to know thyself means identify with your own personality. See yourself as an individual. Nurture, promote and defend your idiosyncrasies.

For us know thyself means know who you are according to where and from whom you come. It means have a keen awareness of our collective identity. With such knowledge it makes no sense to argue about who's too dark or who's too light. Those are the concerns of the individual person not the collective Self.

Know thySelf.

 

[Jahari Kavi]

I think it depends who you ask, and that's what makes it's beautiful imo. I'm always in a constant process of getting to know myself better. Just last week while zoning out in a hypnosis session I pictured a huge question mark. I took that as me not yet fulling knowing myself, which I think is great considering I already have a strong identity of self. This just means that I haven't reached my full potential yet..........makes me excited, lol......

 

[river]

I think it depends who you ask, and that's what makes it's beautiful imo. I'm always in a constant process of getting to know myself better. Just last week while zoning out in a hypnosis session I pictured a huge question mark. I took that as me not yet fulling knowing myself, which I think is great considering I already have a strong identity of self. This just means that I haven't reached my full potential yet..........makes me excited, lol......

Yes, brotha it is exciting to know there is always more. How does one fully understand something that is constantly growing and changing and becoming? So our knowledge is not to be an exhaustive accumulation of static information but as Adam knew his wife so are we to intimately experience our Selves.

And BTW, brotha I greatly appreciate who you are and what you strive to be. Keep doing whatcha doing.

 

[Jahari Kavi]

Yes, brotha it is exciting to know there is always more. How does one fully understand something that is constantly growing and changing and becoming? So our knowledge is not to be an exhaustive accumulation of static information but as Adam knew his wife so are we to intimately experience our Selves.

And BTW, brotha I greatly appreciate who you are and what you strive to be. Keep doing whatcha doing.

I agree..I believe one finds heaven when they find themselves....much respect to you also sister....

 

[Bootzey]

To know where you stand in the midst of this world. Not influenced by the opinions of others. Knowing your own mind and having awareness of your own presence. Being free of outside influences, and not particularly caring what others think of your beliefs and lifestyle choices. Essentially… being authentically yourself.

And I agree with Jahari Kavi, this process of learning self never ends. But this is the fun part and I dare say the purpose of life...