“The only salvation to an unequaled life is becoming free unequivocally, where your mere existence defies oppression.” - Alberto Camus

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The ordinary man slumbers on, fast asleep and deeply entrenched in addictive, habitual behaviours. The root of this entrenchment lies in prolonged ignorance fueled by unconscious existential anxiety. Until this foundation-of-all-fears is confronted and reconciled, humanity continues to believe in a separate self, dubbed as ego - an ever-present observer distinct from the totality of existence.

Tightened around this erroneous perception is the illusion of eternal sameness, championed by ‘I’, our all-too-familiar label-lover. However, this notion flatly contradicts the teachings of the Buddha, who swore that existence as a whole - all compounded creation - embodies inconstancy, impermanence and transience.

To sustain selfhood (ego), we habitually rely on attachment, linking our identities to this person, that thought. The false self fancies itself eternal through any number of accoutrements.

But I assert that the crux of happiness lies in understanding the Self, an undeniable essence, separate albeit intertwined from the fleshly and familial frameworks to which we cling, sometimes expressed as the paradoxical and exquisite: awareness aware of itself. This quintessential we are none other than who we see ourselves to be. Its realization liberates a state of pure awareness, the seat of true humanity, unscathed and untainted by the world’s taint.

Freeing oneself from enslavement to self-generated mythologies is thus crucial. It entails ceaseless observation of any attachment, relentless interrogation into each knee-jerk identification - both subtle and conspicuous - freeing oneself again and again from addiction to the mental framework.

The first realization is the dawning recognition that identity is at farthest a tapestry woven of habitual distortions - and we remain oblivious to much of its fabric.

For any identity forged of choice rather than coercion remains fluid, yet these unconscious tendrils continue gripping habits, likes, dislikes. When even fleeting control eludes us, one cannot be deemed truly free.

To that end, we seek and follow proven techniques and understandings which ultimately aim at liberating us from patterns such as dependence and addiction. Even further still, we cultivate an awareness keen to detect any pretension which aims to disguise pain. Any attempts to project blame upon others, indulge superficial gestures to elicit reassurance or validation (approval-seeking), we endeavor to root out.

While ordinary mortals enslave their attention unto fleeting pleasure, aversion, or distraction, I postulate that ultimate fulfilment derives from attention that is free to roam universally, without imprisonment within the maze of one single facet amongst myriad possibilities.

One's identification with habitual viewpoints subtly holds one's freedom hostage. As identification grows ever tighter with beliefs and ideals, freedom shrinks. The only liberation achievable is the cultivation of a personality fluid in adaptability, capable of change like a river unconfined by meandering banks of attachment.

A rigid identity ensures a future of stifling denial while constantly projecting persona after persona as circumstance demands. Self-knowledge, stripped of facade, reveals itself - for in its pursuit each reactive barrier falls, including our most vaunted, deeply constructed defences.

Any existence characterized merely by reacting to every stimulus, by reflexive behavior shaped by millennia of conditioning (DNA levelfor some), we could legitimately say is asleep as a social organism – if halfof humanity were anesthetized for all its lifespan. Far more worthy isengagement in life free from chronic defense mechanisms, each choice informedby empathy and understanding for one’s self and all living beings - the veryessence of compassion.

My belief compels that one’s personality should transform in alignment with some concept of cosmic citizenship, free from biases born of ignorance or denial. If our lives lack a certain depth-full richness today, perhaps this calls us toward further exploration into who we choose to be? Ifhistory has taught us little else, surely the need for humanity to transcendtribal identity whilst upholding universal love must stand beside any lesson.

Some would say that freedom from illusory notions of 'self'is the work - let us also call it transcendence. Liberation through love lieswithin each heart's tender grip; choose you well what clutches at itmercilessly. Perhaps in your journey, some day, freedom might choose you back.Then and right then would be the moment to revel (as even a Buddha might) athaving rediscovered who you are.

- Unnamed Philosopher

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