western & eastern

• Ella Wilcox: 'One ship sails east and another sail west with the same self–wind that blows, it's the set of the sail and not the gale that determines the way we go. As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate. As we voyage along through life, it's the act of the soul that determines the goal and not the calmness of the strife.'
• As you personally introspect on the question "Who am I?" you might have considered acquiescing on how various disciplines view this question or you might find yourself groping for more plausible thoughts about it.
• As you become more fascinated, you may even possibly think of viewing it through the eyes of others; to look at how the great civilizations of the world – the East and the West - have attempted to answer the same question.
• Eastern world


  Nations in Asia
• Western world


  Countries geographically located in Europe and North America
• The perceived dichotomy between the East and the West is not only geographical but more cultural as it encompasses differences in terms of beliefs and modes of thinking, values, and ways of life.
• Divergences between the East and West are apparent even in terms of understanding concepts like truth, justice, and the self.
• Individualistic orientation


  The self is independent of others; a separate, autonomous, and distinct entity
• John Doe


  • Clever basketball player and trainer, used to live in Toronto, enjoys dancing and basketball coaching
• Collectivistic orientation


  The self is fundamentally connected with others and an integral part of the universe and society
• Juan Dela Cruz


  • Full-blooded Ilocano, youngest in a brood of five, loves playing basketball and is an avid fan of the Toronto Raptors
• The scenario captures individualistic and collectivistic orientations toward the self which are espoused by the Western and Eastern worldviews respectively.
• Individualistic thought


  • Recognizes individual differences, prizes autonomy over collective wisdom and effort, regards the individual as self-made whose success and happiness do not depend on others
• Collectivistic thought


  • All things are seen as interdependent and inseparable parts of the larger social world, identity and self-esteem are wrapped up in their group, values promoting group harmony and cohesion, belonging, and fitting in
• Western (Greek and Judeo-Christian Traditions)

  • Individualism/Fragmentary/Dualistic
  • Outer-world dependent: Searching outside yourself – through research and analysis
  • Science/evidence-based culture: What can be proven/measured is deemed the truth
  • Man is an element of the Divine
  • Life is a service (to God, money, business, etc.)
  • The journey of mankind is linear; everything has its beginning and end
  • Action is not necessarily a translation of the mind
  • The concept of "Me": the true "me" is a part of the Divine that need not become apparent: it is given, does not have to be cognizable
• Eastern (Classical Indian and Chinese Philosophies)


  • Collectivism/Wholistic
  • Inner-world dependent: Searching inside yourself – through meditation and right living
  • Evidence is meaningless; the truth is given and does not have to be proven
  • Man is a part of the cosmic unity
  • Life is a journey towards eternal realities outside the world
  • The journey of mankind is cyclical: perception of eternal recurrence (life after death, reincarnation)
  • The action is the extension of the mind
  • Me- to be discovered by liberating from the false "me" – attachment to the material things
• Construction of the Self in the Western Perspective


  • Fragmentary approach, the self is a separate, self-contained individual, self-worth is focused on internal attributes, individual rights and needs are given more importance, equality is accorded to every individual self
• The Self as Embedded in the Oriental Thoughts


  • Values unity and harmony, being part of the greater whole, everything is interconnected and interdependent, the self is a relational being whose existence is defined by being blended harmoniously with others and the universe, conformity with shared norms and values is important, individual goals are manifested in society's shared goals, duties are placed over rights
• Eastern thought


  Values unity, harmony, and being part of the greater whole where everything is believed to be connected and interdependent with others and nature
• Eastern perspective


  Does not see any distinction in all the things in the world; everyone is interconnected thus, the other person is deemed part of yourself
• Self


  A relational being whose very existence is defined by his being blended harmoniously with the other selves, all things, and events
• Self


  Fundamentally connected with the other selves and is an integral part of the universe and society
• Harmony


  The key in the web of interdependency
• Conformity with shared norms and values


  Very important
• Individual goals


  Manifested and find fulfillment in society's shared goals
• Self


  Must place duties over rights
• Self


  Must participate in creating harmony, and avoid criticism, ridicule, and rejection to gain approval and acceptance
• Atman


  The real person inside an individual or the innermost essence of the self whose destiny is to be Brahma (Hindu one, true, and ultimate God) in Nirvana (a place of perfect peace and happiness, like heaven)
• Attachment of the self to the material world (Maya/illusion)


  Leads to suffering (samsara- the cycle of birth and rebirth or reincarnation)
• Reincarnation of the self

  A form of suffering because the self keeps coming back to the material world thinking that it is its real destiny
• Self-realization


  The self has to liberate itself from ignorance by cultivating an authentic knowledge that the self has is NOT MAYA but ATMAN
• Self


  When thoroughly cleansed from its illusions, is filled with a sense of well-being, and at death, its soul is liberated from endless rebirths (reincarnation) and joins the universal spirit Brahma and becomes one with Brahma
• Doctrine of non-self or annata

  The self is subject to the law of changes, everything, including the self, is always in constant change born, grows, and dies
• Five aggregates


  The five elements that sum up the whole of an individual's mental and physical existence: matter, or body, sensations, or feelings, perceptions, mental construct, and awareness or consciousness
• Idea of the self


  Illusory, this false belief yields harmful thoughts of selfish desire, "me-and-mine" mentality, craving, attachment, ill-will, hatred, conceit, pride, egoism, and any other defilements and social problems
• Goal of the self


  To attain enlightenment by freeing oneself from ignorance that causes suffering
• To eliminate ignorance and attain enlightenment

  1. Know the four noble truths

  2. Practice the eightfold path: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration
• Self in Confucianism


  A moral and social being, good life depends on order, and order depends on good and just government, virtue consists of correct behavior, such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and loyalty
• True self


  A noble man possesses all the virtues, and this noble man is called the man of JEN or JUNZI (noble man)
• Self


  A dot in the universe and being a part of nature, must live in accordance with the law of nature that rules and directs the movements of all things