“I”?

By Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D.

Icrpd What do you mean when you say “I”?

Who is this that is calling oneself “I”?

Who is pondering these question?

[Notice the familiar, mind-boggling circularity here that clarifies nothing. You ask yourself "What is this "I"?" And then you answer: "That's me." Ok. And who's this "me"? Who is this who said "me" in response to "Who is this?" Having re-labelled yourself with the word "me," have you really answered the original question?]

Is it the word “I” itself that is pondering the meaning of the word “I”?

A word pondering itself? Is that who you are?

What would you call yourself if you were a primordial pre-verbal ape (an ape before language)?

Who is asking these questions? Who is answering these questions?

These questions are far more important than the answers.

So, do ask yourself the questions and ignore the answers.

You are not the answers to these questions anyway.

You are not the language: you are the one who speaks…

But who is that?

More: Lotus Effect

Lower case i image available from Shutterstock

Pavel Somov, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and the author of "Eating the Moment" (New Harbinger, 2008), "Present Perfect" (NH, 2010), "The Lotus Effect" (NH, 2010), "Smoke Free Smoke Break" (2011), and "Reinventing the Meal" (2012). He is in private practice in Pittsburgh, PA. His book website is www.eatingthemoment.com

Marla Somova, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the co-author of "Smoke Free Smoke Break" (2011).

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