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Awareness Quote by Martinus Hendrikus Benders

“After we eat of the Apple of Knowledge, however, all of us start to be aware of ourselves, and our consciousness starts to be divided from our being. We start to have an image of ourselves which blocks our true expression. How do we go from there? There are two ways of dealing with this situation…” quote by Martinus Hendrikus Benders
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““After we eat of the Apple of Knowledge, however, all of us start to be aware of ourselves, and our consciousness starts to be divided from our being. We start to have an image of ourselves which blocks our true expression. How do we go from there? There are two ways of dealing with this situation. The first is to find a self-image one is comfortable with. This is what most people do. It has some advantages since it causes the mind to operate reasonably undisturbed and it brings some peace to most people. People who find and maintain a self-image they are comfortable with are generally known as ‘happy people’. It doesn’t mean a whole lot, because in fact this image they are comfortable with is completely fake. There is another road, the road of learning to get rid of all self-imagery. This is a hard road however and requires one to pretty much battle for the rest of ones life (which isn’t a bad thing at all since the sense and meaning of life are essentially to put up a good battle). One develops techniques to stop identifying with ones self-image. The more these mechanisms behind self-imagery are mastered the more easy it becomes to switch and correct ones identities. At some point we can simply get rid of the self-image and be reborn as the child we once were, but a different child who has the triumph of knowledge in his pocket.””

Martinus Hendrikus Benders

About This Quote

Self‑knowledge can be clouded by a comforting but false self‑image; true growth requires confronting and shedding that illusion.

In simple terms: We often hide behind a fake self‑image; letting it go is hard but liberating.

Key Takeaway

Question and release limiting self‑concepts for authentic living.

Themes

psychology self awareness spiritual growth identity philosophy

Mood

reflective hopeful challenging

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • personal therapy
  • mindfulness practice
  • creative expression
  • life coaching

Key Concepts

self‑image illusion transformation inner child

Questions to Reflect On

  • What practices help dissolve harmful self‑images?
  • How does embracing the “inner child” affect adult purpose?
A Different Perspective

The process can be painful and may cause existential distress if not guided.

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