The lines that divide

The lines that divide...
But, are there even any real lines?
Do any even exist?
Or do they exist only because
we believe them to?
And do they exist only because
we propagate and enforce that belief?
Do they only exist in our belief of their existence?

Image by Bruno Glätsch from Pixabay

The same with beginning and end.
Every beginning has another beginning and another...
another... another... another.. endlessly.
And every end impacts endlessly.

Things just change form.

At base we are all the same.
No matter how uncomfortable people are with that idea.
We all carry energy within us.
We all carry the same energy within us.
It's not somehow different energy because we
fancy seeing ourselves as individuals.

It is so easy to attach to an idea, or an identity.
It is easy to define ourselves by that identity.
But, we can strip those things away and we'd still be.
Recognize that difference.
Don't allow your attachment to identity to harm you.

Many don't recognize just how much they define
and confine themselves.
How much they reinforce their own beliefs.

For example, I am scared.
Are you scared?
Or, are you feeling scared?
Are you short tempered?
Or, are you reacting with a short-temper?
The list is endless.
We hear ourselves say those things.
We believe the things we say to ourselves.

But, are you really anything which you ascribe to yourself to be?

As a thought experiment,
you could strip everything away.
What would remain after you did?

I know, but do you?

Can you recognize yourself?
Can you see what you truly are?
Beneath all the conditioning,
beneath all the influence,
beneath all the pain?
What if you removed it all?
What if you healed it all?
What would your pure self be?

What would your pure self be,
if no one had ever hurt you?

Is it collective consciousness,
or collective madness?
Look at our world.
Few are awake.

I wish it was consciousness,
because then we'd understand
our responsibility to one another.
We'd recognize the human beneath.
We'd recognize each other.
We'd recognize ourselves.

The majority of people seek to fulfill the role,
the confines of an identity,
which they have attached themselves to.
Consciously, or subconsciously.
Few recognize that they have a choice not to.

By playing a role,
we disconnect both from ourselves and others.
It is automatic.
We constantly reinforce our own beliefs.
It is those roles and beliefs that divide us.
Both from our true selves, and each other.

We draw the lines that divide.

I recognize you because I recognize myself.

-Akiroq Brost

(I wrote this is response to @futuremind's comment here. I was going to post it there, but then I realized it might be something other people may also be interested in, so I have shared it here instead.)

Check out my other poems:
Futuremind
I might be invisible
Remember
What matters?
Listen
Perspective
Listen (2)
Make this life the best you can.
Gratitude