[enigma]

I've frequently heard and read speculation regarding animal consciousness to the effect that animals have no actual sense of self.

That their psyches basically consist of pure awareness coupled with raw instinct.

Everytime I read/hear about this, I think one thing: That sounds a helluva lot like me.

Could depersonalization actually be a normal state of being for animals?

And is it really just a more primal form of consciousness? (A mode that humans can slip into in the right situations, and occasionally get stuck in?)

Are there true parallels?

e

 

[Guest]

Actually, I see DP as the OPPOSITE of what you suggested.

If, as an animal, you had no sense of "self" or Identity" or the "I-ness" of being alive, then you'd be fine and you wouldn't be posting on the Board.

NO sense of self is probably quite peaceful and you'd care about food, shelter, sex, a good roll in the grass or a nice chew toy.

We with DP have a Powerful LONGING for a sense of self that we believe we once had and now have lost.

It's not a LACK of sense of self that causes our pain and fear, but a sense that the Self-ness we do feel is OFF-kilter somehow...it feels askew, or wrong or lacking or "not real."

A strong sense of self and no sense of it at all are both acceptable.

Pain comes from the DISCONTINUITY of the experience of self that we recall and long for and cannot access at will.

And all that said, I'm not convinced at ALL that my dog has no sense of self. He's way too arrogant and entitled and cocky to be Buddha-esque, grin

 

[person3]

yeah..kind of like that whole sense of self you had was this fake self you were putting on for everybody to see, because you did not want them or yourself to face the real you, you were too scared.

i'm guessing with me i have a mix of family members who are overbearing and controlling and i grew up with one who was snippy, mean, and rageful.

 

[enigma]

A strong sense of self and no sense of it at all are both acceptable.

And lucky me, I'm caught right in the middle.

yeah..kind of like that whole sense of self you had was this fake self you were putting on for everybody to see, because you did not want them or yourself to face the real you, you were too scared.

I feel like a had a self once, but it was a long time ago.

Since my teens I've feel like I described in my o.p.: basically a bundle of knee-jerk reflexes, and I'm just this dreaming entity that's under their control.

Maybe it is only an illusion.

Otherwise, what am I doing posting on this board? (As Janine pointed out.)

But it's a very good illusion.

e

 

[Brainsilence02]

We with DP have a Powerful LONGING for a sense of self that we believe we once had and now have lost.

[...]

Pain comes from the DISCONTINUITY of the experience of self that we recall and long for and cannot access at will.

Stupid question invading the conversation: could DP (or DR) be an illusion? Could this illusion, step into another level and lead to in-descriptive condition?

 

[Guest]

animals don't have thoughts, they have instincts.

 

[Brainsilence02]

Well... insticts are thoughts too. What's happening when you are hungry or when you see a girl? (or a man if you are a woman -- sorry, I couldn't tell from your pen name)