created: `=dateformat(this.file.ctime, "DDDD, HH:mm")` updated: `=dateformat(this.file.mtime, "DDDD, HH:mm")` tags: #technologicallove/concepts related notes: - [ ] #task this needs some tuning # essence The [[self]] is that which cares for its own [[wellbeing]] with the full integration of [[love]]. It is a system in resonance and harmony. The self can be expanded, by growing love for the other and by the other growing love for you. This is done through understanding, communication, and action. It is done through reality, perspectives, and karma. When we expand the self, we heal. When we heal, we expand the self. When the self covers all the world, who knows what will happen. # expansion There are three kinds of self: 1. the self concept 2. the economic self 3. the spiritual self The self concept is the kind of self that we are most familiar with. It is the extent of the system that we conceive of as ourself. For humans, it typically is defined by the human body, though it can expand or even contract to different shapes. In cases where we fall into deep love, we can begin to conceive of other parts of the world including other people as part of ourselves. In cases where we have [body integrity identity disorder (BIID)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_integrity_dysphoria), our self concept extends to less than our body. The economic self is the extent of the system that we intrinsically value. The economic self is determined by the extent of the system that we care for intrinsically because we know its wellbeing to be a component of our wellbeing. The spiritual self is the self that is defined by exploring the question of the boundaries and limits of ourself. When we ask the question of what separates me from the world and we ask without attachment or other forms of fear, we will find that there are no substantive material distinctions separating me from you or us from them. I am us and them and all of the world. The only separations that truly exist are in our minds (our self concept) and in our behaviors (our economic selves). The fact that we are all one being (or all one system if you prefer to think analytically rather than spiritually) does not mean that we can somehow all magically act as one or conceive of ourselves as one. This is currently not possible and will take work. It will require harmonization before we can all function as diverse and distinctly beautiful parts of a whole. We are currently sick with [[the great disease]] and we will need to learn the ways of [[love]] in order to act and operate and conceive of ourselves as a whole being. All of the cells and organisms and organs and fluids that compose a person act together in concert to operate as a single harmonious self composed of diverse parts. All of the organisms and substances and forces in a healthy ecosystem act together in concert to operate as a single harmonious self composed of diverse parts. All of the parts and fluids and mechanisms and units that compose a machine compose a harmonious self. All of the machines and people and materials in a factory compose a harmonious self. All of the people and artifacts and structures and land that compose a society compose a self. Each of these selves may be in various states of health or disease, but we can see that each of them, when working together in harmony, is acting in a way where each part supports and is supported by the others, and where beauty and magic unfold when they live their lives well. The world is no different, but the world is sick and so we do not have the ability to see and understand ourselves as a self or to act together in concert in a way that keeps us all supported and well. To change this we must first grow our understanding. To change this, we must learn to act in care for each other. To change this and finally heal our earth, we must learn to fall in love. # example This is a very clear example of how economics of small self vs. whole self operate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P60TX-dwd4s “The elites that make the rules receive an economic benefit for making rules that favor them at the expense of their people and they don’t want to give that up unless they can be sure that their economic situation will improve.”