There is only one and this is it...

THE IMMORTAL SELF - an original contemporary oil painting by Bridie O'Brien

Ego cage v the immortal self.

An ancient spiritual puzzle?... or a poetic philosophy that helps us to understand the human condition?

Does an awareness of the higher true self, the self that belongs to all and is all, the self that favours intuition and walks in unity with nature, gods and the universe, guide us to the ultimate level of everlasting life?

I think it does. Everlasting life of one's soul, that is.

Oh to be free from pleasurable attachments and gratifying behaviours.

Detachment means doing the right thing for its own sake, because it needs to be done, without worrying about success, reward or failure. Detach yourself, do good and enjoy life.

Constantly thinking on the objects of the senses, we can develop attachment to them; and from attachment arises the desire to possess them; and desires invite anger (when desires are unfulfilled).

From anger springs delusion of mind; and a deluded mind gives rise to a confused memory; and the confused memory leads to brittle integrity and decay of intellectual reasoning; and due to the decay of reasoning one is walking a destructive path.

The spirit is the non-physical part of a person, which is often thought to continue in existence when a person dies. The spirit (or soul) is a prisoner of the body. The self is a series of behaviours. Every action has a consequence and it is important to be aware of our higher self if we want our spirit to rejoin the river of collective consciousness when our body dies.

Oil & acrylic on canvas / 122cm x 61cm / un-framed & ready to hang