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Cherith
Lv 4
Cherith asked in Society & CultureReligion & Spirituality · 1 decade ago

What is the 'essence ' of our humanity?

Update:

Thank you for your answers.

I asked because I was thinking about the nature of things...back in scientific history, objects were defined by their 'essence' eg . a rock had 'rockiness', hardness, etc.

I heard the wolves howling the other night ( we live near a Wolf Sanctuary) and immediately I felt the 'essence' of wolf.. it was quite tangible.

So I got to thinking about humans ( as you do..) and our 'essence'., whether we have a distinct property within us that determines what we are or think we are.

The roar of the stadium at a football match, the clapping of hands in an audience,,,are rather like the howling of the wolves..but not quite, because they are things we do in certain situations that call for that behaviour. The howling of the wolves is directly from their instinct, it's a natural part of their being.

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  • Sara
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    To some extent, desires and selfishness.

  • Zsolt H
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Our matter is the desires we feel.

    But at the moment these are raging randomly driving us to fulfill whatever comes to our mind, whatever gives us pleasure.

    In this respect we are similar to any other animal on the planet.

    Our essence, our "Humanity" comes from our potential capability to acquire control over the desires, and focus them in the right direction, on the path towards the purpose of our lives.

    So when we apply the right intention over our desires, and apply them towards fulfilling others instead of fulfilling ourselves, we become Human, and acquire control not only over our desires but over the whole of reality.

    I hope it helps, all the best.

    Source(s): http://www.laitman.com/2009/09/the-power-of-the-li... http://www.laitman.com/2009/09/true-freedom-lies-i...
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Depends on who you ask.

    According to Solomon, it is this:

    13- "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

    14 -For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

    Source(s): (KJV)
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    A wish for more cake.

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