Infinity

Do you see how infinite you are?

I came across this question in one of my favorite novels, Vagabond. It is a manga that is based on the historical figure Miyamoto Musashi, a famous Japanese swordsman and the author of The Book of Five Rings. In this fictional story, we get to see Musashi on his journey to become the strongest swordsman and invincible under the sun. At first, the story is like any typical action series with over-the-top fight scenes that make you question your morality, but gradually the narrative begins to change. We see Musashi grow from an enraged and disillusioned boy and transcend into a compassionate and understanding man that realizes true strength comes from showing kindness. The manga is heavily inspired by Buddhist philosophy and tackles questions of mortality, human nature, and concepts of the mind and will. It is an inspiring story that has changed my life for the better. Okay, now to the question.

I believe there are many ways to interpret this question, but I see it in one of two ways.

First, the infinite is the power within all of us. It is an endless landscape from which any possibility can be realized. It is the power to become anything you desire and the ability to write your own story. In other words, we are a blank canvas while simultaneously the painter, allowing us to be infinite. As it happens, humanity has lost sight of this power and has become too absorbed with the idea of “I.” According to cognitive science, “I” can be understood as object rather than a subject of experience giving rise to the ego.

This localization of consciousness and acceptance of ego separates a person from the infinity within themselves. For instance, to function in society, we adopt an ego and create an idea of ourselves based on our desires and the narratives others project on us. We become bound by the ideas of success, status, power, strength, and influence and measure ourselves according to these principles.

For instance, maybe you were taught to compare yourself to others to assess your worth; this habit has created feelings of insecurity, and you have adopted this personality. Now you think of yourself as insecure, and thus you live it. This is an example of how the titles we assume can dictate our lives. By adopting these characteristics, we reduce our capabilities to fit within a self-imposed cage. Furthermore, we measure our success within this environment and never expect more. This has created a species bound by ideas of self and acquisition of power, making it acceptable to trample on others for personal gain. You can see this almost anywhere you look. Referencing Musashi again, later in the novel, he eventually becomes one of the strongest swordsmen of his time. Despite this, Miyamoto Musashi still concluded that he was “no one” and that the title of “invincible” is just a word. He began to transcend the desires of his ego and saw the true power within himself and others. From that point forward, he learned the importance of kindness and became truly strong. One of the big themes from Vagabond is encaptured perfectly by Kendrick Lamar in his single, The Heart Part 5, when he says, “Sacrifice personal gain over everything, just to see the next generation better than ours.” We all have a responsibility to escape the grips of our ego and prioritize being kind and selfless. In addition, we must tap into the infinity within ourselves to create our own stories.

Second, we are infinite creatures. Most of us tend to limit ourselves by what we see and separate reality into a world of internal and external. When we close our eyes and are presented with the dark expanse of consciousness, we believe this to be our internal realm. When we open our eyes and are presented with nature and society, we believe this to be our external realm. We see buildings, trees, cars, and cities in our external environment and label ourselves as individual entities within the world. This is where the separation of subjective (our mind) vs. objective (the world) takes place. We conclude that we are finite beings that operate in an infinite world.

This common perception of being separate from the world is just an illusion. For instance, let us close our eyes again, but this time attempt to measure how far the emptiness expands and whether or not there is an end. It is easy to conclude that it is infinite. Now, let us open our eyes and start to see the separation again. This time accept that it is part of the same internal realm you see with your eyes closed. Internalize that there would be no buildings, trees, cars, or cities without your perception of them. You experience these items through your perception, making them a piece of you. We paint the world through our perceptions making everything our internal realm or infinite. All in all, this is a reminder that your perceptions make your reality. You are connected to everything, and everything is internal. In other words, you hold the power to decide how you perceive things. Be negative, and you will see things negatively. Be positive, and you will see things positively.

These are the answers I propose to, "Do you see how infinite you are?" I have decided that I am going to get a tattoo of this quote. It will serve as a reminder of many things. First, I will practice being kind above all else and avoid the temptation of my ego. I will monitor my desires and never prioritize them above the people that matter in my life. Secondly, I will not adopt the beliefs of others, and I will drive my own story along. Lastly, I will maintain a positive mindset and choose to be optimistic. Despite this, I am human and not perfect by any means; I will make mistakes. I hope to learn as I go and internalize these practices better.

Thanks for reading the blog!