Self From Self

The title of this blog is a Shakespearean quote, although I'm not entirely certain where it's from. I know he used the phrase in Two Gentlemen of Verona when Valentine is discussing separation from Silvia, but I also know that he used it more generally when he said, "Absence from those we love is self from self - a deadly banishment."
I'm using it, however, somewhat more subtly.

1. Naturally a trip to Greece is not exactly a "deadly banishment" in any sense of the word (provided I return alive), but it is a learning, growing, and 'being' experience that will be far removed from family and close friends. Consequently, I will simultaneously be redefining myself in terms of the experience of another culture on the other side of the globe and in terms of who I am in relation to the fantastic group of minds with whom I will be sharing this journey.

2. The phrase itself refers to a separation from those we love. When the God of the Hebrews created the partner for humanity "over against" itself, we have this idea that the two are one. Those in a wholesome relationship will tell of a similar bond, and so when the trust between the Edenic pair is broken via the Fall, the self is removed from the self, and they are no longer one. The phrase "self from self" works for my current developmental frame of mind, as I'm diving headfirst into Erikson's Intimacy vs. Isolation stage of life. I'm interested to see how this crisis might unfold in the next few months, and how it flavors my perception (the ideas that seem most important to me, the details I deem notable, etc. For example, the fact that I'm mentioning Erikson here at all is a good indication of my mind's priorities). When I look back on this blog, I want to see how I grew. I want to see how the phrase "self from self" applies to me in the future.

That's not the end of this analysis, though.

3. "Self from Self" also hints at a Buddhist notion of which I am particularly fond. The idea of losing one's "self" in the realization that all is connected and transient is very intriguing to me, as it suggests that there isn't actually a "me" that perceives intrigue. Don't worry if you don't get it -- buddhists devote their entire lives to work through this conundrum.
Thus, while I'm attempting to analyze my identity through this voyage, I also seek to put my self aside, if only to see the bigger picture. This trip isn't about soul-searching, but in-depth introspection may be a perk.

I hope to provide some interesting commentary on this blog. As yet, I'm not entirely sure for whom I am writing, so I'm writing for me. Here I am.