being a nobody: social media take heed

Here is to being nobody with everybody! Yes a celebration of being a nobody. To grasp our nobodyness and celebrate it seems to be at the essence of successful nonhierarchical living. If we all understood and embraced the nobody nature of our existence things would be different. Granted, it’s only something to think about since as we, as western people, are about as far away from embracing this deeply as is possible. We might say our lack of understanding our nobodyness is what is ailing us in the most profound way.

The United States is predicated on the INDIVIDUAL and holding up the value of being apart in this way. This seems to have contributed largely to the total breakdown in community that we have been watching happen all around us. Instead we see rampant narcissism as the norm. Social media continues to support this in ways we have only begun to witness. Those screaming about THAT narcissist on their social media platforms are often being highly narcissistic!

It all gets to be comically absurd, and yet, it’s something that also, if understood, might make us weep.

The paradox of existense is always, everywhere, isn’t it?

Some quotes from people who’ve thought about some of this before me:

I’m not afraid to compete. It’s just the opposite. Don’t you see that? I’m afraid I will compete — that’s what scares me. That’s why I quit the Theatre Department. Just because I’m so horribly conditioned to accept everybody else’s values, and just because I like applause and people to rave about me, doesn’t make it right. I’m ashamed of it. I’m sick of it. I’m sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody. I’m sick of myself and everybody else that wants to make some kind of a splash. ~~ JD Salinger

Emily Dickinson also knows:

I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Don’t tell! They’d advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one’s name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog! (Fr 260)

Bruce Lee makes me think of the concept of beginners mind in Zen:

Inwardly, psychologically, be a nobody. Get the ego out of the way, have some detachment, and be a blank slate… That way you can approach each situation anew with fresh eyes. – Bruce Lee

Ram Dass – Always a favorite:

“The game is not about becoming somebody, it’s about becoming nobody.” 

but he also most famously talks about needing to be a “somebody” before you can be a “nobody.” Thus, being nobody is the goal.

You’ve been somebody long enough. You spent the first half of your life becoming somebody. Now you can work on becoming nobody, which is really somebody. For when you become nobody there is no tension, no pretense, no one trying to be anyone or anything. The natural state of the mind shines through unobstructed – and the natural state of the mind is pure love.

More posts that might aid in considering the nature of being NOBODY

• Paradox in healing and life
• Paradox rules: life on the razor’s edge (updated)
• The razor’s edge: musings and a collection

and other related

• Narcissism (the plague of our times?)

• Ego anonymous: a practice

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