You are not who you thought you were
There will come a time when one will have to forget all that one has learned.
Welcome to STILL (especially first-timers)! I’m grateful you choose to spend time in this quiet(er) corner of the internet. As always, I’d love to hear what you enjoy!
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UPDATE: Typically, my final post of the month is a “Collection” of things I’ve been into lately while the other weekly offerings consist of a quote and a reflection. I’ve decided to give something else a try. Instead of waiting until the end of the month to offer a big collection, I’ll share a few things each week. I’ll also offer a reflection every week that is (hopefully) insightful, nourishing, and short:) Let me know what you think of this format!
QUOTE
In order to gain that happiness which is one’s nature… one should know one’s Self. For that, …the inquiry of the form “Who am I?”, is the principal means.
. . .
There will come a time when one will have to forget all that one has learned.
—Ramana Maharshi
STORY
I am not who I thought I was.
The other day I was talking to an expert in the Enneagram, a human personality and behavior system that identifies people according to nine different “types.” Each person is one of the numbers, such as a 2 (Helper) or 6 (Loyalist) or… you get the idea.
Since I first became acquainted with these types a decade ago, I’ve thought—quite confidently—that I was [one number].*
But based on some things I was saying, my interests, the ways I show up in relationships and work, and things he read in my book, the expert gently wondered, “It sounds to me like you might be a [different number].”
Now I’ve always been a bit skeptical of going all-in on the Enneagram—or any personality system, for that matter. Because they can become reductionistic. The unique and complex shape of a soul cannot be contained by a number, set of letters, color, or any other classification system.
And yet, at his suggestion of typing me with a [different number], I felt a loosening. Something unfurling within me. An inner expansion. I sensed I was being given a powerful gift, a wise reminder we all need:
You are not who you thought you were.
You must let go of limiting definitions
and stories that are too small,
again and again,
to open up to the vastness of your true Self.
*For the Enneagram-interested, any idea about my old or new number type? Feel free to take a guess in the comments:)
COLLECTION
Teilhard: Visionary Scientist
Science and religion. Freedom and control. Loneliness and love. So much fascinating terrain is covered in this very-PBS documentary about the life and work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. This On Being episode on the priest-paleontologist is also worth a listen.
The life of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French priest-paleontologist-visionary, suppressed by his Jesuit order for advocating evolution is revealed in a drama of personal awakening, a search for meaning, scientific adventure, unresolved conflict with authority, and human love.
Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors
An archaeological dig meets true crime investigation meets Game of Thrones. A fascinating look at the China’s first emperor’s terracotta army, buried for over 2000 years.
Thousands of terracotta warriors guarded the first Chinese emperor's tomb. This is their story, told through archeological evidence and reenactments.
For the Time Being
For the Time Being is not a new book. But it is one of my favorites. I reread it every few years. I absolutely have to share it here since my interest in both the Teilhard de Chardin and Terracota documentaries above is likely because I was captivated by the wonder-filled way that Annie Dillard writes about both of these subjects in this book.
With her keen eye, penchant for paradox, and yearning for truth, Dillard asks: Why do we exist? Where did we come from? How can one person matter?
END MATTERS
The Way Home
A recent review of my new book The Way Home, available now:
“Ben Katt’s storytelling ability is superb! I have a better understanding of why striving to meet society’s expectations leaves me feeling empty regardless of my achievements. I also have words and pictures to describe the desire for contentment and to live wholeheartedly through love once I give myself permission to get in touch with my heart. Highly recommended!”
