Imagine this: that which we strive to escape from lives within us.

Embracing the Shadows Within: The Inescapable Nature of Ourselves

Imagine this: that which we strive to escape from lives within us. Our fears, complexes, and contradictions do not come from the outside—they are deeply interwoven into the very fabric of our character, shaping our inner world. In the first moments of awareness, it seems as if one could hide from these shadows, like running away from reflections in an endless array of mirrors. Yet, the mystery of the human soul lies in the fact that even its most manipulated parts remain an integral essence of the personality, influencing our emotions, actions, and perspectives.

When we try to reject our inner conflicts, our efforts resemble a futile game with mirrored images. No matter how hard we try to hide from them, our true self remains whole and indivisible. Complexes, fears, and unresolved contradictions are so deeply embedded in us that any attempt to hide from them inevitably leads to their manifestation, exposing the rich palette of our personality. Life often resembles a ball of yarn, where each thread, every detail, represents a vital component of the overall portrait of who we are. Even those aspects that might seem hidden or distant will eventually come to the surface, reminding us that they have always been a part of us.

In conclusion, rather than futilely trying to avoid our own weaknesses, we must accept them as the foundation upon which our perception of the world and of ourselves is built. Awareness of our inner richness—even if it includes dark shades—allows us to become more complete, deeper, and, above all, closer to genuine harmony with ourselves.

What could the phrase “That which you run away from is within you” mean and how does it reflect our inner fears and complexes?

The phrase “That which you run away from is within you” emphasizes that our fears and complexes do not originate externally; they are an inseparable part of our soul and character. In other words, what we strive to reject or hide outwardly is already firmly embedded within us, continuously influencing our actions and worldview. Attempts to flee from these inner conflicts are akin to playing with reflections: no matter how much we try to hide, their image inevitably remains a part of us.

This idea is illustrated in one of the quoted fragments:
"While you run away, nothing can happen without you. This is the depiction in various mirrors when a hundred mirrors are arranged around. Accepting you, I do not take you; when returning, I hold you. While dividing into parts, you remain, yet whole. Everyone takes you, but you never become dispersed; everyone accepts you, but you cannot belong to anyone." (source: link txt)

This mirror metaphor shows that even if we try to ‘escape’ from something, our true essence, our inner world, remains whole and indivisible. Our complexes, fears, and inner contradictions are so deeply rooted that any external efforts to avoid them prove futile. They influence our choices, emotions, and relationships with others, remaining an integral part of the fabric from which we are made.

Another quote paints the picture of life as a ball of yarn, where all actions, thoughts, and feelings merge into one: "Our life is like a ball of threads. Threads are wound layer upon layer to form a ball: only the top layer is visible, but all the others are intact, just hidden..." (source: link txt). This underscores that even those aspects of our personality which initially seem concealed or distant will inevitably surface if we attempt to ‘unwind’ our inner essence. Similarly, inner fears and complexes, despite our efforts to ignore them, remain interwoven into the very fabric of our existence.

Thus, the phrase reminds us that instead of trying to flee from our own weaknesses and fears, it is crucial to acknowledge them since they form the foundation of our inner world and ultimately determine who we truly are.

Supporting citation(s):
"While you run away, nothing can happen without you. This is the depiction in various mirrors when a hundred mirrors are arranged around. Accepting you, I do not take you; when returning, I hold you. While dividing into parts, you remain, yet whole. Everyone takes you, but you never become dispersed; everyone accepts you, but you cannot belong to anyone." (source: link txt)

"Our life is like a ball of threads. Threads are wound layer upon layer to form a ball: only the top layer is visible, but all the others are intact, just hidden. And so with us: actions are attached to actions, thoughts to thoughts, feelings to feelings, forming ourselves, our soul as it is now. Only recent deeds and those that can no longer be hidden are remembered, but all the other deeds have not disappeared, only concealed within the heart and conscience. Unwind the ball—and you will see all the threads, in the way they were wound. Time will come when everything hidden inside us will be revealed, will come out, and be clear both to us and to everyone." (source: link txt)