--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everyone of us is shadowed by an illusory…" description: "\"“Everyone of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false self..We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/thomas-merton-231_contemplation_everyone-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illusor_588474.jpg" --- # Everyone of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false… ![“Everyone of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false self..We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ourselves. (34) Contemplation is not and cannot be a function of this external self. There is an irreducible opposition between the deep…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/thomas-merton-231_contemplation_everyone-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illusor_588474.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/thomas-merton-231_contemplation_everyone-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illusor_588474.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/thomas-merton-231_contemplation_everyone-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illusor_588474.jpg) > ““Everyone of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false self..We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ourselves. (34) Contemplation is not and cannot be a function of this external self. There is an irreducible opposition between the deep transcendent self that awakens only in contemplation, and the superficial, external self which we commonly identify with the first person singular.(7) Our reality, our true self, is hidden in what appears to us to be nothingness…We can rise above this unreality and recover our hidden reality…(281) God Himself begins to live in me not only as my Creator but as my other and true self. (41)”” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## 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 the conflict between our false, socially constructed identity and a deeper, transcendent self that emerges through contemplation, suggesting that true reality lies beyond the superficial self. **In simple terms:** A false self hides our deeper true self, which we discover in contemplation. Key Takeaway Seek deeper self through contemplation. Themes identity spirituality self-awareness Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - spiritual retreat - psychotherapy - personal growth - creative work Key Concepts transcendence illusion inner reality Questions to Reflect On - How can you differentiate your false self from your true self? - What practices help you access deeper awareness? A Different Perspective The deep self may be inaccessible without sustained practice or guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contemplation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplation/) [First person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-person/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [True self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-self/) ## Related quotes > [“EVERY one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false self. 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