Being Aware of Our Contradictions

“All that we perceive
in every mystery
who are we
what we see
I can’t comprehend
who are we
what we see
I can’t comprehend.”

These are lyrics from the song “All that we Perceive” by American Electronic Music duo called Thievery Corporation.

Life’s complexity is all around us, consisting of both chaos and beauty. The lyrics to this song remind me of the complexity of the reality we live in and how human nature is an extension of this complexity. The layers of emerging complexities result in the inevitable emergence of contradictions.

Let’s think about the various philosophies, cultures, and schools of thought that exist and have continued to exist throughout the course of human history. We live in a reality of contradictory human values indoctrinated within us, both consciously and subconsciously. From values imposed upon us by our family units, religion, school, friends, teachers, television, etc., we are all walking contradictions, contradictions of which we are not aware without some introspection or feedback from an external point of view.

What is the definition of a contradiction?

The Oxford dictionary definition of contradiction is- “A contradiction is a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.”

We are all walking contradictions, an antithesis of what we present through our personas. To exist in a set of contradictions is ultimately the human condition. And maybe this is a good sign; it means diversity in human thought is still allowed in society, and we just need to learn to navigate through the nuances, as F. Scott Fitzgerald said: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

Our contradictory thoughts and ideas reside within our subconscious, which eventually show up through our actions. In my observation, we usually end up portraying our conscious ideas and values through language, but our contradictory nature inevitably ends up expressed through our actions.

“Contradiction is one trait that all humans share. Despite our best intentions, none of us can escape conflict in our feelings, beliefs, and desires. While sometimes I am objective in my decisions, other times, I knowingly make biased decisions. In one way or another, we all are contradictory”– https://humanitiescenter.byu.edu/the-human-contradiction/

Anything that subsides in the subconscious ends up eventually manifesting through our actions. Our contradictions reside in our shadows. It is important for us to become aware of our contradictions. It’s usually a good sign if you reach the point of identifying your contradictions; it means you are actively becoming self-aware of your inner mental dimensions.

How do we become aware of our own contradictions?

1) Introspection- Examining our mental dimensions.
● Meditate
● Talk to yourself and ask yourself questions.
● Try to look at yourself from other people’s point of view

2) Acceptance
● Once we identify our contradictions, accepting them gives each of us an added measure of power. Acceptance of our own humanity. “Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.” – Carl Jung. We are full of contradictory potentials and realities.

3) Adopting non-dualist way of thinking
● “Nondual experience refers to a state in which a person perceives reality without dividing filters from their mind. In this experience, individuals transcend the division between themselves and the outside world, viewing them as unified, boundless, interpenetrated, and interrelated.”
https://online.diamondapproach.org/nonduality-the-nondual-nature-of-reality-enlightenment/
Adopting a non-dualist way of thinking allows the capacity to hold the tension of opposites, rest comfortably in ambiguity, and resist the tendency to demonization and exclusion.

Being aware and processing our internal and external contradictions could lead to the capacity for attaining a unifying societal vision for all humans and non-humans as it prepares us and molds us to be able to tolerate the vast variations of life and teaches us a way to cooperate and be inclusive within the pool of contradictory values that encompass our complex human world.

Adopting a non-dualistic way of thinking allows one to approach life with a sense of openness and curiosity and let go of rigid beliefs and expectations. So, let’s befriend our contradictions so that we can become masters of thriving in a nuanced existence.

-Neelofer Hilal is a passionate freelance writer, avid traveler, podcaster, futurist, dreamer, and social science enthusiast.