--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is far more than the discovery of life…" description: "\"It is far more than the discovery of life without a self. The immediate, inevitable result is an emergence into a new dimension of knowing and being th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cc/bernadette-roberts-28785_conscious_it-is-far-more-than-the-discovery-of-lif_1077353.jpg" --- # It is far more than the discovery of life without a self… ![“It is far more than the discovery of life without a self. The immediate, inevitable result is an emergence into a new dimension of knowing and being that entails a difficult and prolonged readjustment. the reflexive mechanism of the mind -or whatever it is that allows us to be self-conscious - is…” quote by Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cc/bernadette-roberts-28785_conscious_it-is-far-more-than-the-discovery-of-lif_1077353.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cc/bernadette-roberts-28785_conscious_it-is-far-more-than-the-discovery-of-lif_1077353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cc/bernadette-roberts-28785_conscious_it-is-far-more-than-the-discovery-of-lif_1077353.jpg) > “It is far more than the discovery of life without a self. The immediate, inevitable result is an emergence into a new dimension of knowing and being that entails a difficult and prolonged readjustment. the reflexive mechanism of the mind -or whatever it is that allows us to be self-conscious - is cut off or permanently suspended so the mind is ever after held in a fixed now moment out of which it cannot move in its uninterrupted gaze upon the Unknown” [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote describes a profound shift where self-awareness dissolves, leading to a new way of knowing that requires a challenging, ongoing adjustment. **In simple terms:** Self disappears, new awareness emerges, adjustment needed. Key Takeaway Embrace the unknown, adapt to new consciousness. Themes spirituality transformation consciousness identity adjustment Mood reflective introspective enigmatic Type philosophical spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - psychological therapy - creative exploration - life crises - spiritual awakening Key Concepts non-duality self-transcendence ontological shift Questions to Reflect On - How does losing self-identity affect daily life? - What practices help navigate this new awareness? A Different Perspective The loss of self can cause disorientation and fear, making integration difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dimensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dimensions/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Emergence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emergence/) [Ever after](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ever-after/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-conscious/) ## Related quotes > […at this point the self has obviously outworn its function; it is no longer needed or useful, and life can go on without it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/at-this-point-the-self-has-obviously-outworn-its-function-it-is-no/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly -- that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-aim-of-life-is-self-development-to-realize-one-s-nature-perfectly-2/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The greatest discovery in life is self-discovery. Until you find yourself you will always be someone else. Become yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/the-greatest-discovery-in-life-is-self-discovery-until-you-find/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [The flesh surrenders itself. Eternity takes back its own. Our bodies stirred these waters briefly, danced with a certain intoxication before the love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/the-flesh-surrenders-itself-eternity-takes-back-its-own-our-bodies/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [“You must live a life of self-consciousness always”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/you-must-live-a-life-of-self-consciousness-always/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [The Buddhist mindset seeks to eliminate the self. That is to say, what we want to experience is life, not self. When there's less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-buddhist-mindset-seeks-to-eliminate-the-self-that-is-to-say-what/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I spent my days on the riverbanks, in the woods, in the fields, shooting, hunting and stalking. I unravelled everything within my life. Self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/i-spent-my-days-on-the-riverbanks-in-the-woods-in-the-fields-shooting/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [This business switching styles can't be done honestly by one man. As soon as he can play his instrument well, he can express himself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-rushing/this-business-switching-styles-can-t-be-done-honestly-by-one-man-as/) [Jimmy Rushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-rushing/) > [On some dimension or other, every event in life can be causing only one of two things: either it is good for you, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/on-some-dimension-or-other-every-event-in-life-can-be-causing-only/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The deepest gift you can learn in life is about self-love, and that's not going to happen overnight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumer-willis/the-deepest-gift-you-can-learn-in-life-is-about-self-love-and-that-s/) [Rumer Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumer-willis/) > [“once you give someone a hope in its own life, the life its self is gonna give you back the happiness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled/once-you-give-someone-a-hope-in-its-own-life-the-life-its-self-is/) Khaled > [“The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-aim-of-life-is-self-development-to-realize-one-s-nature-perfectly/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Life is self-fulfilling prophecy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/life-is-self-fulfilling-prophecy/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [“Whoever sees life other than as a self-destroying illusion is himself still preoccupied with life. Life must not be a novel that is given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/whoever-sees-life-other-than-as-a-self-destroying-illusion-is-himself/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [“Your journey through life and self-discovery is much like the start of a new day. As you grow, develop, and reinvent yourself, the tendrils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-narofsky/your-journey-through-life-and-self-discovery-is-much-like-the-start/) [Thomas Narofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-narofsky/) ## More by Bernadette Roberts > [When one is perfectly still-mind and body, silent and alone-there is no personality to speak of, thus personality is one's unique way of expression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/when-one-is-perfectly-still-mind-and-body-silent-and-alone-there-is/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [The truest communication with God is absolute, total silence; there is not a single word in existence that can convey this communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/the-truest-communication-with-god-is-absolute-total-silence-there-is/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [This search for perfection - which is a search for divinity - is nothing more than the failure to accept our existence the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/this-search-for-perfection-which-is-a-search-for-divinity-is-nothing/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [This journey then, is nothing more, yet nothing less than a period of acclimating to a new way of seeing, a time of transition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/this-journey-then-is-nothing-more-yet-nothing-less-than-a-period-of/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [It is one step, and a giant one, to see clearly and participate in the love that flows between the persons of the Trinity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/it-is-one-step-and-a-giant-one-to-see-clearly-and-participate-in-the/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [The assumption that the egoless condition, or union of self and God, is man's final goal and ultimate destiny is a great mistake. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/the-assumption-that-the-egoless-condition-or-union-of-self-and-god-is/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [But coming home that day, walking downhill with a panorama of valley and hills before me, I turned my gaze inward, and what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/but-coming-home-that-day-walking-downhill-with-a-panorama-of-valley/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [The onset of this second movement is characterized by the falling away of self and coming upon "that" which remains when it is gone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/the-onset-of-this-second-movement-is-characterized-by-the-falling/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [Spiritual life is like a moving sidewalk. Whether you go with it or spend your whole life running against it, you're still going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/spiritual-life-is-like-a-moving-sidewalk-whether-you-go-with-it-or/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [...a point is reached where the self is so completely aligned with the still-point that it can no longer be moved, even in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/a-point-is-reached-where-the-self-is-so-completely-aligned-with-the/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > [When there is no longer a cyclone, there is no longer an eye. 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And not only do we not need a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/only-god-is-love-and-for-this-love-to-be-fully-realized-self-must/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) > […at this point the self has obviously outworn its function; it is no longer needed or useful, and life can go on without it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-roberts/at-this-point-the-self-has-obviously-outworn-its-function-it-is-no/) [Bernadette Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) [Explore all 19 Bernadette Roberts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-roberts/) ## More Conscious quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Woman, in short, has an unconscious life, man a conscious life, and the genius the most conscious life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-weininger/woman-in-short-has-an-unconscious-life-man-a-conscious-life-and-the/) [Otto Weininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-weininger/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? 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Elton Trueblood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-elton-trueblood/) > [Repugnant is a creature who would squander the ability To lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/repugnant-is-a-creature-who-would-squander-the-ability-to-lift-an-eye/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [I know one thing: that you can do a lot of things but if you don't educate people into conscious anarchism it gets frittered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/i-know-one-thing-that-you-can-do-a-lot-of-things-but-if-you-don-t/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) > [All black people who are even minimally conscious, black people who have ever experienced Europe's technological power crusading in the vanguard of a civilizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-nkosi/all-black-people-who-are-even-minimally-conscious-black-people-who/) [Lewis Nkosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-nkosi/) > [ A mind conscious of right laughs at the falsehoods of rumour. \[Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-mind-conscious-of-right-laughs-at-the-falsehoods-of-rumour-lat/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I don't think my paintings are self-conscious but you feel the consciousness of them. Without them being self-conscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-schnabel/i-don-t-think-my-paintings-are-self-conscious-but-you-feel-the/) [Julian Schnabel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-schnabel/) Browse all 3,716 Conscious quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is far more than the discovery of life without a self. 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