ECOLOGICAL SELF: THE PASSAGE TO SELF REALIZATION

Abstract

The environmental crisis reflects a deeper issue within our minds and spirits. The pressures of ecological degradation are so clear that protecting the environment has become essential. In this regard, deep ecology represents a new and significant ecological movement that emerges as a fresh perspective to address the unavoidable transformations humanity is facing. Arne Naess’ deep ecology theory seeks to address our sense of emptiness and anxiety, allowing individuals to restore a sense of connection with both living and non-living entities. Deep ecology plays a crucial role in enhancing our ecological awareness as we confront worldwide environmental challenges for several reasons. Ecological awareness represents an emerging mind-set that leads us toward sustainable development. It fosters a connection with nature, establishing ecological harmony since all elements are interconnected within the web of life. Therefore, the eco-centric approach to environmental ethics serves as a comprehensive method for addressing environmental issues, integrating thought, emotion, spirituality, and action. The relationship between humans and the environment relies on the ability to connect with otherness, allowing the self to expand and deepen. This realization fosters a stronger bond with all forms of life, enabling a transition from an ego (G) perspective to an eco (C) perspective. To achieve this transformation from ‘G’ to ‘C,’ we must cultivate our ecological awareness. It is essential for the world to undergo a significant shift toward an eco-centric mind -set rooted in ecological understanding, prompting us to care for and act on behalf of whole ecosystems, not just ourselves. When there is a balance between ‘G’ and ‘C,’ beings exist harmoniously within the universe. However, when the focus leans too heavily toward the ‘Self,’ or ‘ego,’ an imbalance occurs, leading to emerging issues. The notion of Self-realization stands out as one of Arne Naess’s key contributions to ecological philosophy. In Naess’s framework of deep ecology, it is an essential endeavour for grasping our role within nature, as it facilitates the transition from an anthropocentric worldview to an ecocentric one. Naess describes the process of identifying oneself with the ecological Self as Self-realization (Naess, 1987). He posits that through expanding one's self-conception and identification, one embodies the ecological Self. This illustrates that the act of identification is crucial in Self-realization, as well as signifies the acknowledgment of nature's intrinsic value. As rational beings, humans continuously seek to comprehend the essence of the self. The inquiry into the nature of self has long been a pivotal topic in philosophy, particularly within psychology and religion. In the realm of psychology, the self is characterized as the entirety of a person's attributes, encompassing their physical, mental, and emotional characteristics, which enable individuals to distinguish themselves from others. Our understanding of ourselves aids in interpreting and recognizing patterns within our surroundings. Conversely, religion proposes that the self or soul is a spiritual entity that can be either elevated or tarnished by one’s thoughts and actions. According to Naess, the identification of the self with the ecological Self is known as Self-realization (Naess, 1987). He argues that through the process of identification and widening of one’s self-conception, one becomes the ecological Self. It shows that the process of identification plays an important role in Self-realization, as well as represents the recognition of intrinsic value of nature. Humans, being rational, always strive to understand the nature of the self. The question of what is self has been an important concern of philosophy, especially in the fields of psychology and religion.In psychology, the self is defined as the sum of a person’s attributes that includes their physical, mental and emotional traits, and through which people define themselves as separate or different from other people. There are two major functions of the self: the executive function and the organizational function. The executive function of the self refers to the way our sense of self helps us regulate our actions. The organizational function of the self plays a role in organizing information. Our knowledge of ourselves helps us interpret and recognize patterns in our environment.