Identity Quote by Thomas Metzinger
““It is the body that possesses itself: Owning something means to be able to control it, and selfhood is intimately related to the very moment in which the body discovers that it can control itself—as a whole. It is exactly what happens when you wake up in the morning, when you “come to yourself.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ego Tunnel, Thomas Metzinger, 2009
Self‑ownership arises when the body can be controlled, and consciousness is the moment we recognize that control, like waking up and becoming aware.
In simple terms: We feel ownership when we control our body and become aware.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindfulness to notice self‑control moments.
Themes
philosophy
consciousness
selfhood
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- psychological therapy
- education on self‑awareness
- daily reflection
Key Concepts
embodiment
agency
self‑recognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does awareness of bodily control affect identity?
- What practices enhance this self‑recognition?
A Different Perspective
Self‑awareness can be disrupted by mental illness or distraction.
![“[The sensate body possesses] an art of interrogating the sensible according to its own wishes, an inspired exegesis.” quote by Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/651/maurice-merleau-ponty-2834_art_the-sensate-body-possesses-an-art-of-int_418614.jpg)
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
