The consciousness that says ‘I am’ is not the consciousness that thinks.
This quote is a profound exploration of the nature of consciousness and identity. It suggests that the consciousness that affirms our existence (‘I am’) is different from the consciousness that engages in thought processes.
The ‘I am’ consciousness can be seen as a basic, fundamental awareness, a sense of being. It’s an immediate, self-evident truth that we exist. On the other hand, the ‘thinking’ consciousness is the active, analytical part of our mind that ponders, plans, worries, dreams, and so on. It’s the part of us that gets entangled in the complexities of life, that can get lost in the past or future, that can create stress and anxiety.
In other words, the ‘I am’ consciousness is our pure, unadulterated existence, free from the trappings of thought. It’s the part of us that is always present, always now, always in this moment. It’s the part of us that is constant, unchanging, the part that simply is. The ‘thinking’ consciousness, meanwhile, is transient, fluctuating, always changing based on our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
This idea can be applied in today’s world or in personal development through practices like mindfulness and meditation. These practices teach us to become more aware of our ‘I am’ consciousness, to become more present and less entangled in our thoughts. They teach us to recognize that we are not our thoughts, that we can observe our thoughts without getting lost in them. This can lead to a sense of peace, clarity, and freedom, as we learn to disentangle our sense of self from the constant chatter of our thinking mind.
Moreover, understanding this concept can help us to better manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. By learning to separate our fundamental existence (‘I am’) from our thoughts, we can recognize that our thoughts are not absolute truths, but rather transient mental events that we can choose to engage with or not. This can give us a greater sense of control over our mental health and well-being.
In conclusion, Sartre’s quote invites us to explore the nature of our consciousness and to recognize the distinction between our fundamental existence and our thoughts. By doing so, we can learn to live more fully in the present moment, to manage our mental health more effectively, and to cultivate a deeper sense of peace and well-being.