The Rise and Fall of Self

(The Problem with Us Is Us)

It is beyond debate that the world is troubled with numerous problems. We live in a time of political, economic and social uncertainty. While all of us earnestly hope that these problems will be worked out, we all differ widely in our views of the best route to get to these solutions. Perhaps the most basic issue in seeking solutions to our problems is the identification of the cause or source of these problems. As the world is an interconnected system where we all have some impact on the whole, it is logical to assume that the most basic issues of the world's problems lie within each of us individually. This book takes this approach. If we are to ever hope to move toward solutions to the world situation we must begin with each of our own individual situations.

This is not a look at our physical situation but with our psychological and spiritual situation. The only way we can ever hope to build a better world is to build better people. The making of better people begins with a proper constitution of our "self" or the person we truly are. In the end, there are only two versions of our self that we can elect to live in-the independent self or the individual self. One of these versions leads to a life of bondage and the other leads to a healthy life of positive impact. This impact touches both our own life and the condition of all those we have contact with.