Identity, Authenticity - Do they conflict?

[Nat]

Originally Posted by dykeumentary

I think the most interesting aspect of this thread is the question: is the whole greater than the sum of it's parts? If identities are stars in a vast sky what can be gained by seeing the whole universe as a wondrous collection, versus focusing on a few stars? I prefer to ponder the OP as not about clinging to indentities, but rather transcending them. Thoughts?

Thanks - I think you understood where I was coming from better than I did. This isn't too Yoda-ish to me. I also like your clarifying post afterwards.

You said, "Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?"

which made me think of Leonard Cohen's Anthem, when he says/sings, "You can add up the parts but you won't have the sum."

And then I started thinking about the words "whole" and "sum" and - I hope this isn't too far out there - I think "whole" is to "authentic" as "sum" is to "identity."

To study Buddhism is to study the self.
To study the self is to come to know the self.
To come to know the self is to forget the self.
To forget the self is to be at one with all things.

- Dogen Zenji

I'm not a Buddhist, though I suppose over the last few years I've been exposed to an increasing amount of some American Zen Buddhist thought. If I take the Buddhism out, I'm left with a (cyclical) experience: To study the self is to come to know the self is to forget the self is to be at one with all things (lather, rinse, repeat). That "one with all things" thing - I only get that in moments if I'm lucky - but I spend a lot of time with the studying and the coming to know the self part.

Over the last 5 years, I have spent a great deal of time, energy, thought, emotion on studying and expressing (my) self - my orientation, my gender ID looming especially large at least at times. It feels a bit like I've been chasing down butterflies and pinning them to a board, and only now am I finding that the most important thing about the butterflies is their interaction with the flower.

I hope this makes sense - I am exhausted beyond words. goodnight.